Water Polo NSW

What is Water Polo?

Water polo is an exciting team sport that combines swimming, strategy, and ball skills in a fast-paced aquatic environment. Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, join a competitive team sport, or make new friends, water polo offers something for everyone.

Key benefits of playing water polo include:

• Full-body workout and exceptional cardiovascular fitness
• Development of teamwork and strategic thinking skills
• Suitable for all ages and skill levels
• Strong social community and team environment

How the Game Works

Water polo is one of the most energetic, fast-paced, and exciting sports played today.

The objective is simple: the team that scores the most goals by getting the ball into their opponent's goal wins the match.

Players must tread water throughout the entire game, using a specialized leg movement called the "egg-beater" to stay afloat. No touching the pool bottom is allowed.

Players can advance the ball by passing to teammates or swimming with it in front of them. The ball must be handled with one hand only, though goalkeepers can use both hands within their 5-meter area.

Matches begin with a swim-off—the referee drops the ball from the pool's side or releases it in the middle while players line up at their goal lines. The first team to reach the ball gains possession.

After a goal is scored, play resumes with the conceding team starting at half-way. All players must remain in their own half until play restarts.

Each water polo team has 13 players, with seven in the water at once—six field players and one goalkeeper.

Field players constantly move throughout the pool during play. Teams typically position one centre back (7 meters from goal), one centre forward (2 meters from goal), two drivers flanking the centre back, and two wingers alongside the centre forward.

Players can be substituted at designated areas: either by the team's substitute area or in the exclusion "box."

Substitutions are permitted only:

• during intervals between periods of play
• after a goal has been scored
• during a timeout

A goal counts when the ball completely crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar.

Official FINA matches consist of four eight-minute quarters.

Since the clock stops when the ball isn't in play, quarters typically last up to 15 minutes.

Teams have 30 seconds to attempt a shot on goal. If they shoot and regain possession from a rebound, the shot clock resets.

Rules of Water Polo

• The playing area measures 30m × 20m with a minimum depth of 2m.
• Teams field 7 players (6 field players plus 1 goalkeeper) from a 13-player roster.
• Players must handle the ball with one hand only—goalkeepers can use two hands within 5m of their goal.
• Games consist of four 8-minute quarters with 2-minute breaks between them.
• Players move the ball by swimming with it or passing to teammates.
• Players must stay afloat throughout the match—no touching the pool bottom.
• The 30-second shot clock limits possession time before shooting.
• Goals (worth one point) count when the ball passes completely through the goal frame.
• Players can commit ordinary fouls and major fouls—three major fouls result in game exclusion.
• Tied games are decided by a shootout.