2004 water polo rules

8/3/2019 2004 Water Polo Rules

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2004-05Rules



2004-05 NCAA

WATER POLO

R U L E S

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIAT I O N



[ISSN 0736-5144]

THE NAT IONAL COL LEGIATE AT H LETIC ASSOCIAT ION

P.O. Box 6222

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222

3 1 7 / 9 1 7 - 6 2 2 2

w w w . n c a a . o r g

July 2004

Manuscript Prepared By: Barbara Kalbus, S e c r e t ary-Rules Edit or.

Edited By: Heather Perry, Playing Rules Administration.

NCAA, NCAA logo and National Collegiate Athletic Association are registered marks of theA s s ociation and use in any manner is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from theA s s oci a t i o n .

CO P Y R I G H T, 1974, BY THE NA T I O N A L CO L L E G I A T E AT H L E T I C AS S O C I A T I O N

RE P P R I N T E D: 1975, 1976, 19 77, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 19 8 6 ,19 87, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001,

2002, 2003, 2004 PRINTED IN THE UN I T E D STATES OF AM E R I C A



pageNCAA Water Polo Rules Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Major Rules Changes for 2004-05. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Points of Emphasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Official NCAA Water Polo Rules

Rule 1—Field of Play and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2Rule 2—G o a l s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5Rule 3—The Ball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6Rule 4—C a p s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7Rule 5—Teams and Substitutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9Rule 6—O f f i c i a l s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3Rule 7—R e f e r e e s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5Rule 8—Goal Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9Rule 9—T i m e k e e p e r s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0Rule 10—S e c r e t a r i e s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2Rule 11—Duration of the Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4Rule 12—T i m e o u t s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6Rule 13—The Start of Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0Rule 14—Method of Scoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1Rule 15—Restarting After a Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4Rule 16—Goal Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5Rule 17—Corner Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 7Rule 18—Neutral Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 8Rule 19—Free Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0Rule 20—Ordinary Fouls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1Rule 21—Exclusion Fouls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 7Rule 22—Penalty Fouls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 0Rule 23—Penalty Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4Rule 24—Personal Fouls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6Rule 25—Accident, Injury and Illness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7Appendix A—Instructions for the Use of Two Referees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9Appendix B—Signals to Be Used by Officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2Appendix C—Tournament Advancement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7

Index to Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 0

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C o n t e n t s



4

D iv. Term Expires

C h a i r : Jamey Wright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 - 0 5 *University of California, Davis, California 95616

I Secretary-Rules Editor: Barbara Kalbus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 - 0 7Newport Beach, California 92663

I Carin Crawford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 - 0 7 *San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182

I Leslie Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 - 0 5 *

University of Redlands, Redlands, California 92373I Carl Quigley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 - 0 7 *

St. Francis College (New York), Brooklyn, New York 11201I Ken Weiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 - 0 6 *

University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90024I I James Yeamans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 - 0 6 *

Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057

*Not eligiblefor reappointment

Attended 2004 annual meeting before completing term on committee:Al Beaird, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation; Barry King, Indiana University, Bloomington

Jamey Wright

Ken WeinerLeslie Evans

Carin CrawfordBarbara Kalbus

James YeamansCarl Quigley

Water Polo RulesC o m m i t t e e



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The major changed NCAA rules for 2004-05 are identified in the rules by ascreened background. To assist referees and coaches, NCAA differencesfrom FINA/USWP rules are indicated in bold.

Rule, section p a g e ( s )4 - 2 Color of goalkeeper earguards (as compared with

cap numbers) described . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 74 - 3 Requirement effective for 2004-05 that all goalkeeper

caps must be quartered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 7

4 - 4 Numbers on caps must be at least 8 cm in height . . . .1 74 - 4 Numbers on dark goalkeeper caps must be white;

numbers on white goalkeeper caps must be dark . . . .1 85 - 2 Team benches and reentry areas are located on same

side as scoring table if permanent structural facilityrestrictions prevent location on side opposite scoringt a b l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 0

5 - 6 Players may not be substituted during temporarystoppages of play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 2

7-4, 21-11 Rule clarified that players, coaches, or team officialswho receive a red card in a previous game maysit in the spectator stands during the game at whichthe suspension is being served. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27, 64

7 - 6 Definition added of competent authority forreporting abandonment of game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 8

1 2 - 3 Location described to where referee must throw ballif team calling timeout does not come out from the

t i m e o u t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 71 2 - 5 Procedure to be followed if referee blows whistlefor a timeout when neither team has possession of the ball added . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 8

1 2 - 7 Position of coach during 20-second timeout expanded . .3 81 2 - 8 Length of television timeout increased and times when

this timeout may be called changed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 8

Major Rules Changesfor 2004-05



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1 3 - 1 Referee performs coin toss before game . . . . . . . . . . . .4 01 4 - 3 Procedure for taking immediate shot at goal

c h a n g e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 21 8 - 2 Procedure for neutral throw described . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 82 0 - 1 8 Wasting time shall be called consistently

throughout game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 62 1 - 2 Punishment described for excluded player who

climbs from the side of the pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 72 1 - 9 Description of misconduct expanded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 22 1 - 1 2 Signal and reporting requirements added for minor

act of disrespect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 52 1 - 1 2 Description of the start after a minor act of

disrespect clarified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 52 2 - 1 0 Location of players described during a penalty

shot called for deliberate act causing award ofpenalty shot in last minute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 3

Appendix B New signal added for minor act of disrespect-Fig. Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 6

Appendix C-3 Procedure clarified for determiningtournament advancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 7

MAJOR RULES CHANGES 2004-05



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Points Of Emphasis

The following points shall be emphasized in the rules. The points on thislist are situations about which the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Water PoloCommittees are concerned.

1 . It is important that referees call the NCAA water polo rules as writtenand as interpreted in this rules book. Coaches may not comment oncalls or address the referees during the game. However, the headcoach may address the referee at the interval between periods, duringtimeouts or with permission of the referee in addition to the captain or

when filing a protest. The rule relating to who may address the refer-ee (Rule 7-4) and at what times shall be enforced consistently andaccording to the rules. The referees must apply the rules equally andfairly, regardless of gender, experience, responsibilities or intonationof voice.

2 . The rule concerning the goalkeeper caps is in effect for this year (Rule4-3). Goalkeeper caps must be quartered, red and white with whiteearguards and a dark number for the visiting goalkeeper and red anddark with dark ear guards and a white number for the home goal-keeper. The size of the cap numbers shall be at least 8 centimeters inheight on all caps (Rule 4-4).

3 . Officials should accurately time timeouts and period breaks, using awatch. The warning whistles should also be given at the proper time.After a timeout, play shall be restarted by the team putting the ball inplay at or behind the half-distance line. If the team calling the timeoutdoes not come out from the timeout after the referee blows the whis-tle, the referee shall throw the ball to the offensive player closest to and

behind the half-distance line (Rule 12-3).4 . Officials should make sure that both coaches and the secretary are

notified when a 20-second timeout has been called in contrast to a reg-ular timeout as the teams do not move to their halves of the pool dur-ing the 20-second timeout (Rule 12-7). The coach calling the 20-secondtimeout may move along the sideline to the half-distance line duringthis timeout in order to talk to the players. The official or scoring tableshall also accurately time the 20-second timeout and give the warning



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whistle at the proper time. The use of a 20-second timeout shall berecorded on the score sheet.

5 . The team benches must be located on the side opposite the official

table, unless permanent structural facility restrictions prevent such alocation. In that case, the team benches and reentry area will be locat-ed on the same side as the scoring (Rule 5-2).

6 . Players may not be substituted either from the reentry area or from theside of the pool during a temporary stoppage of play, such as while aplayer is retrieving a cap, while a referee is checking on an injury orwhile the referee is resetting a clock (Rule 5-6).

7 . The rule has been clarified concerning where a player, coach, or team

official who has received a red card in one game may sit in the nextgame at which the suspension is being served. The individual may sitin the spectator stands but may not communicate with the team by anymethod (Rule 7-4).

8 . If at the award of a foul outside 7 meters, the ball is inside 7 meters orcloser to the defending team’s goal, a goal may be scored if the ball isreturned without delay to either the place where the foul was com-mitted, to any place on the same line as the foul or to any place behindthe line of the foul provided the shot is then immediately made from

that position (Rule 14-3). The definition of “immediate” has been clar-ified to permit the player taking the shot to look in the general direc-tion of the goal and then take an immediate shot at the goal.

9 . It should be emphasized to the referees to call wasting time consis-tently throughout the game, not just in the last minute of the game(Rule 20-18). The intention of the committee is that the game be playedfor the entire 28 minutes.

1 0 . In order to make it clear to the players, coaches, and secretary when

the referee calls a minor act of disrespect, a new signal has been devel-oped. The referee signals this foul by the use of half rolling motionwith one arm. This foul must be identified as such on the score sheet.New interpretations have been developed to clarify when the teamsstart even up after this foul is called (Rule 21-12).

1 1 . A deliberate act causing the award of a penalty foul in violation ofRule 22-4 to Rule 22-9 during the last minute of the game or during thelast minute of the second overtime period in order to give the team

with the lead a penalty shot will result in the team shooting the penal-

POINTS OF EMPHASIS



9POINTS OF EMPHASIS

ty shot getting the ball back at the half-distance line whether the penal-ty shot is made or missed (Rule 22-10). The location of the players onthe team taking the penalty shot and of the players on the defensiveteam have been defined.

1 2 . Playing (conduct) rules (Rules 5, 11-25) may not be altered except forexperimental purposes approved by the NCAA Men’s Water PoloCommittee. The administrative rules (Rules 1-4, 6-10) cannot be alteredexcept as indicated in the rules. For example, the length of quarters,time between quarters, type of overtime played or the number of time-outs may not be altered during any NCAA water polo contest (tour-nament or regular season).

1 3 . Referees should also call fouls consistently throughout the entire peri-

od of possession. Referees should not refrain from calling an exclusionor ordinary foul if only a few seconds remain in the period of posses-sion. Perimeter fouls (ordinary and exclusion) must be called consis-tently throughout the game, including the last minute when the teamwith the lead has the ball.

1 4 . The host institution must ensure that the desk is staffed adequately,with experienced personnel.

1 5 . Among the most important aspects of the game for referees to consid-

er and to call consistently is the 2-meter play. Referees should consid-er the negative consequences of blowing a quick whistle at 2 meters.

a . Referees need to be patient when the ball comes into the 2-meterplayer. Providing the 2-meter player (set player, center forward)with the opportunity to play the ball is consistent with the spiritand the substance of the rules.

b . The quick whistle neutralizes, if not undermines, the intent of theelimination of the three-foul rule at 2 meters. Even though quickly blowing the whistle at 2 meters is a “safe” call, neither the offense

nor the defense gains a clear advantage when the referee quickly blows the whistle at 2 meters. The major effect is to eliminate, how-ever unintentionally, the scoring threat of the 2-meter player.Implicit in these two statements are the three key factors for refer-ees to consider when determining whether or not a quick whistle,or any whistle, is appropriate:

1 . What is the position of the defender? If the 2-meter player isestablishing a scoring advantage by virtue of the set defender’s

position, then a foul should not be called.



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2 . What is the technique of the 2-meter player? Is the 2-meter play-er demonstrating the kind of ball control and positioning skillsthat would warrant the referee’s not calling a quick whistle?

3 . How well is the slough executed? And, just as important, is theslough (the defensive player that applies the double-team pres-sure) arriving at the 2-meter player on time?

Just as it is important for referees to recognize these factors, coachesneed to recognize the “psychology” of calling such fouls. Every refer-ee should be concerned about demonstrating to the players, coachesand spectators that he or she recognizes what is happening at 2 meters,especially if the situation warrants the referee not blowing a quickwhistle. An appropriate gesture, such as shifting position slightly so as

to signal the intensity with which the referee is examining the situa-tion, might well demonstrate that the referee understands preciselywhat is happening as the play is developing.

1 6 . Exclusion and Four-Meter Calls: The following guidelines shouldmake it easier for referees to call the appropriate foul when the ballcomes in to the 2-meter player:

a . If the 2-meter guard has established a position behind the 2-meterplayer and the foul is not overly aggressive, then an ordinary foul

should be called. b . If the 2-meter guard prevents the 2-meter player from moving out

in any direction to play the ball, then an exclusion is the appropri-ate call.

c . If the 2-meter guard is behind the 2-meter player, but commits anoverly aggressive foul, then an exclusion is the appropriate call. Itis assumed that the referee will continue to apply the “hold, sink orpull back” rule.

d . If the 2-meter player works to establish a side-position advantageon the 2-meter guard, the referee must demonstrate enough confi-dence in himself or herself, as well as the 2-meter player, by allow-ing the 2-meter player to continue working for a shot or for a 4-meter penalty.

e . In determining whether there should be an exclusion or a 4-meterpenalty called, the referee must concentrate on determining thedefender’s position in relation to the 2-meter player.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS



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1 . If the 2-meter guard’s head is behind the 2-meter player, then a4-meter penalty must be called.

2 . If the 2-meter guard’s head is in front of or parallel with the 2-

meter player’s head, then no call is appropriate. By not blowingthe whistle, the referee allows the 2-meter player to continueworking for either a shot on goal or a 4-meter penalty.

The most common error for referees to make in this situation isto follow the ball. Instead of following the movement of the ball,the referee should concentrate on the 2-meter defender’s posi-tion in relation to the 2-meter player. Position is the crucial fac-tor in determining whether a 4-meter penalty is the appropriatec a l l .

POINTS OF EMPHASIS



Position of ClocksSECTION 1. The host institution and/or agency shall be responsible forthe correct measurements and markings of the field of play and shallprovide all stipulated fixtures and equipment. Any visible clock shalldisplay the time in descending manner (that is, display the time remain-ing in a period or period of possession). The game clock and the 35-sec-ond clocks must be equally visible to both teams. There shall be a mini-mum of two 35-second clocks used in each game. It is recommended thatthere be four 35-second clocks, one located at each corner of the pool. Ifthere are only two 35-second clocks, it is recommended that each belocated opposite a front court referee. If this is not possible, the twoclocks shall be located on the same side of the pool as the scoring table.

Field of PlaySECTION 2. The layout and markings of the field of play for a game offi-ciated by two referees shall be in accordance with the diagram on thenext page.

Location of Officials With One RefereeSECTION 3. In a game officiated by one referee, the referee shall offici-ate on the same side as the official table, and the goal judges shall be sit-uated on the opposite side.

Pool DimensionsSECTION 4. For games played by men, the uniform distance betweenthe goal lines must not exceed 100 feet [30m] nor be less than 75 feet[22.9m]. For games played by women, the uniform distance betweenthe goal lines must not exceed 82 feet [25m] nor be less than 75 feet[22.9m]. For games played by men and women, the uniform widthmust not exceed 66 feet [20m] nor be less than 45 feet [13m]. The min-imum depth of the water shall be 6.5 feet [2m] (7 feet [2.13m] in facili-

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RULE 1

Field of Play andE q u i p m e n t



13RULE 1-4/FIELD OF PLAY AND EQUIPMENT

Field of Play.

2-METERREENTRY AREA

(RED)

2-METERREENTRY AREA

(RED)

MAXIMUM WIDTH 66 FT. [20m]*MINIMUM WIDTH 45 FT. [13m]

MINIMUM DEPTH OF WATER6.5 FT. [2m]

GOAL JUDGE

4-METER LINE (YELLOW)

35-SECOND CLOCK

GOAL JUDGE

35-SECOND CLOCK

35-SECOND CLOCK

35-SECOND CLOCK

4-METER LINE (YELLOW)

GOAL LINE (WHITE)

GOAL LINE (WHITE)

TEAM AREA

TEAM AREA

7-METER LINE (GREEN)

2-METER LINE (RED)

2-METER LINE (RED)

H A L F - D I S T A N C E L I N E ( W H I T E )

M A X I M U M L E N G T H 1 0 0 F T . [ 3 0 m ]

M I N I M U M L E N G T H 7 5 F T . [ 2 2 . 9 m ]

GOAL

10 FT.[3m]

10 FT.[3m]

GOAL

7-METER LINE (GREEN)

ScoringTable

M e n :

M A X I M U M L E N G T H 8 2 F T . [ 2 5 m ]

M I N I M U M L E N G T H 7 5 F T . [ 2 2 . 9 m ]

W o m e n :

BOUNDARY of FIELD OF PLAY

**BOUNDARY of FIELD OF PLAY

*The figures enclosed in brackets are metric dimensions. All future pools built for water polo should conform to metric dimensions.

**Distance between goal line and boundary of field of play is 0.3 meters.



1 4

ties built after January 1, 1990). The boundary of the field of play at eachend is 0.30 meters behind the goal line. It is recommended that, for newfacilities, the minimum distance from the goal line to the pool wall shall

be 1.66 meters. Pools built before 1976 are exceptions to the foregoingstandards.It is the responsibility of the host institution to provide a field of

play that meets as closely as possible the maximum measurements forlength and width and equals or exceeds the minimum depth given inthe above standards.

Note: Whenever the ball passes completely behind the goal line (face of the goal) orcompletely over the side line, the ball is out of bounds.

Water TemperatureSECTION 5. It is recommended that the water temperature be main-tained between 78 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit (25.6 and 27.2 degreesCelsius).

M a r k e r sSECTION 6. Distinctive marks shall be provided on both sides of thefield of play to denote the following:

white marks - goal line and half-distance linered marks - 2 meters from goal linesyellow marks - 4 meters from goal linesgreen marks - 7 meters from goal lines

Note: Measurements for the markers shall be taken from the front edge of the goal line, including the marker. It is recommended all markers be flushwith the edge of the pool.

Reentry AreaSECTION 7. A red mark shall be placed at each end of the field of play,2 meters from the corner of the field of play on the side opposite to theofficial table, to denote the reentry area.

Space for Referees and Goal JudgesSECTION 8. Sufficient space shall be provided to enable the referees tohave free movement from end to end of the field of play. Space shall also be provided at the goal lines for the goal judges.

F l a g sSECTION 9. The secretary shall be provided with separate red, whiteand blue flags, each measuring 0.35 meters by 0.20 meters.

RULE 1-4/FIELD OF PLAY AND EQUIPMENT



D i m e n s i o n sSECTION 1. Two goal posts and a crossbar, rigidly constructed, rectan-gular with a dimension of 3 inches [.075m] facing the field of play andpainted white shall be located on the goal lines at each end, equal dis-tances from the sides and, for floating goals, not less than 0.30 meters infront of the ends of the field of play.

P o s i t i o nSECTION 2. The inner sides of the goal posts shall be 10 feet [3m] apart.When the water is 5 feet [1.50m] or more in depth, the underside of thecrossbar shall be 3 feet [0.90m] from the water surface. When the wateris less than 5 feet [1.50m] in depth, the underside of the crossbar shall be8 feet [2.40m] from the floor of the pool.

Goal Backing and Goal SpaceSECTION 3. For floating goals, limp nets or canvas shall be securely fas-

tened to the goal posts and crossbar to enclose the entire goal area, andshall be attached to the goal fixtures in such a manner as to allow not lessthan 0.30 meters clear space behind the goal line everywhere within thegoal area. It is recommended that floating goals have a net backingattached. As of July 1, 2006, all floating goals must have a net backingattached. The end lines shall be attached one ball width from the frontedge of the goal.

For wall goals, the goal space shall be a minimum of 18 inches[45.72cm] deep without obstruction. Goals must have a backing that is

loosely attached to the goal fittings to enclose the goal space in front ofall supports.

1 5

RULE 2

G o a l s



D e s c r i p t i o nSECTION 1. The ball shall be round, yellow or gold in color, and shallhave an air chamber with a self closing valve. It shall be waterproof,without external strappings or any covering of grease or similar sub-stance.

W e i g h tSECTION 2. The weight of the ball shall be not less than 400 grams andnot more than 450 grams.

S i z e — M e n ’ sSECTION 3. For games played by men, the circumference of the ballshall be not less than 0.68 meters and not more than 0.71 meters, and itspressure shall be 90-97 kilo Pascals (13-14 pounds per square inch atmos-pheric).

S i z e — W o m e n ’ s

SECTION 4. For games played by women, the circumference of the ballshall be not less than 0.65 meters and not more than 0.67 meters, and itspressure shall be 83-90 kilo Pascals (12-13 pounds per square inch atmos-pheric).

Number ofSECTION 5. It is recommended five balls be available for all games.

RULE 3

The Ball

16



C o l o r sSECTION 1. Each team must have two sets of caps, one white and theother a contrasting color. The visiting team shall wear white caps.Home-team caps may be any dark color that contrasts with the color ofthe ball (caps may not be yellow or gold). Dark caps may not be pow-der blue, light gray, pale green or similar light colors. Caps for the

field players and the goalkeeper may have piping of any color not toexceed a width of 3⁄8 inch (1cm) around the cap (the cap strings or strapmay be the same color as the piping or may match the cap color). Capsmay have stripes other than yellow/orange in color; stripes must runfrom front to back. Caps shall be fastened under the chin. If a playerloses the cap during play, the player shall replace it at the next appro-priate stoppage of the game when the player’s team is in possession ofthe ball. Caps shall be worn throughout the entire game.

Ear GuardsSECTION 2. Each player (in the water or on the bench) must wear a capwith protective ear guards at all times. The color of the ear guards onthe field players’ caps must match the color of the caps as closely as pos-sible: dark on dark caps, white on white caps. The color of the ear guardsof the goalkeeper must be the same as those on the caps of that team’sfield players: dark for the home goalkeeper, white for the visiting goal-keeper.

Goalkeeper Caps

SECTION 3. The caps of the goalkeepers must be quartered (red andwhite with white ear guards for the visiting goalkeeper and red anddark with dark ear guards for the home goalkeeper).

N u m b e r s

SECTION 4. Plainly visible numbers, at least 8 centimeters in height,shall be placed on both sides of the caps. The numbers on the dark capsmust be white or yellow. The numbers on the white caps must be a con-

1 7

RULE 4

C a p s



1 8 RULE 4-4/CAPS

trasting dark color. The numbers on the white caps may not be powder blue, light gray, pale green or similar light colors. Field players’ caps arenumbered beginning with No. 2. Caps of the same color must have dif-ferent numbers. No. 1 is reserved for the goalkeeper. Additional goal-keepers shall have caps numbered 1A, 1B, etc. The numbers on the capof the home goalkeeper (the team with the dark caps) shall be white;the numbers on the cap of the visiting goalkeeper (team with whitecaps) shall be dark. The numbers on both dark and white caps must bea single solid color with no border in block number format.

A player shall not be allowed to change cap number during the gameexcept with the permission of a referee and with notification to thes e c r e t a r y .

Bathing CapSECTION 5. If a player wears a bathing cap under the water polo cap, thecolor of the bathing cap shall closely match the color of the water polocap (white with white caps, navy with navy caps, and red with goal-keeper caps).

Lack of AdherenceSECTION 6. If a team’s caps do not meet specifications, the team willbe required to change caps or the game may be declared a forfeit.



1 9

Number of Players, Illegal PlayerSECTION 1. At the beginning of a game, each team shall consist of sevenplayers, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper and who shall wear thegoalkeeper’s cap, and reserves who may be used as substitutes. After thestart, a team may have less than 7 players. A team playing with less than7 players shall not be required to have a goalkeeper.

Notes: An illegal player is defined as an extra player or a player who has receiveda third personal foul or has been excluded for the remainder of the game. If a ref-eree starts a period, after a timeout or after a goal with an extra player in thewater, the referee shall stop play, remove the extra player, reset both clocks andrestart play in the usual manner. A personal foul shall not be charged to that player. If the referee starts a period or after a timeout with an excluded player inthe water, the referee shall stop play, remove the excluded player, reset bothclocks and restart play in the usual manner. An additional personal foul shall

not be charged to that player.If a player has three personal fouls but was not visibly red-flagged by the desk,the player shall be removed from the water as soon as the error is discovered, the game clock shall be reset to the time of the third personal foul, the 35-secondclock reset, any goals scored and fouls assessed during this time period shall notcount, and the illegal player is removed from the game except that the fol-lowing cards and fouls shall remain as issued:

a . Any issuance of a yellow card (Rule 7-4)

b . Any issuance of a red card (Rule 7-4)

c . Any instance of misconduct (Rule 21-9)

d . Any instance of brutality (Rule 21-10)

e . Any instance of fighting (Rule 21-11)

f . Any instance of disrespect (including minor acts of disrespect) (Rule2 1 - 1 2 ) .

Goals scored as a result of these fouls, such as an awarded penalty

RULE 5

Teams and Substitutes



2 0

shot, shall not be counted with the exception that an extraman goalscored before the player with the three personal fouls or that player’ssubstitute enters the pool shall be counted. In that case, the clock shall

not be reset.Interpretation: A player receives a third personal foul. The desk fails to visibly redflag the player. The player is substituted for during the exclusion period and does notreturn to the game until much later in the game. The referee knows the time of returnprecisely (for example, the player entered directly after a goal was scored, after a time-out or at the beginning of a period). In this instance the referee must stop the game,remove the player (without a penalty shot), reset the clock to the time of the goal ortimeout or beginning of the period and resume the game.

In all other cases if a desk error is not involved and a player who is not enti-tled under the rules to participate enters the field of play, a penalty foul is award-ed and the clocks are not reset.

Team Bench, Change of EndsSECTION 2. All players not in the game at the time, together with thecoaches and officials with the exception of the head coach, shall sit on theteam bench and shall not move away from the bench from the com-mencement of play, except during the intervals between periods, whencalled on to substitute and during a timeout.

Interpretation: The head coach shall be allowed to sit or stand behind the goal line in theteam area when the team is on defense. When the team is on attack, the head coach mayadvance to the team’s 4-meter mark; when the coach’s team is on defense the coach mustreturn to the bench area. If the head coach receivesa warning or a yellow card, the coachis still permitted to progress to the 4-meter line when the coach’s team is on attack, shoutinstructions, and stand. The assistant coach must remain seated on the bench at all times.The referee may issue a warning, followed by a yellow card, and a red card for violationof this rule by the assistant coach.

Teams shall only change ends and benches at half time and at the end ofthe first period of overtime. See Rule 11-3 for change of ends in sudden-death overtime. If requested by one coach, the teams must change endsand benches after each quarter (and overtime period). In that instance,the referees do not change sides during the game.

The team benches shall both be situated on the side opposite to the offi-cial table, unless permanent structural facility restrictions prevent suchl o c a t i o n.The team bench shall be located at the corner behind the goal line.The team area may extend no farther along the goal line than the mark forthe reentry area 2 meters from the corner of the field of play. The team areamay only be expanded at the corner of the pool behind the goal line. See thepool diagram in Rule 1.

RULE 5-1/TEAMS AND SUBSTITUTES



2 1

Interpretation: If, for permanent structural reasons, the team benches can not be locatedon the side opposite to the scoring table, the team benches and reentry area will be locat-ed on the same side as the scoring table.

C a p t a i n s

SECTION 3. The captains shall be playing members of their respectiveteams and each shall be responsible for the good conduct of the team.The captain may be any player listed on the team roster and must be des-ignated before the pregame meeting.

A p p a r e lSECTION 4. Players shall wear non-transparent costumes and beforetaking part in a game shall remove any articles likely to cause injury.

Substances on Body

SECTION 5. Players shall not have grease, oil or any similar substance onthe body. If a referee ascertains before the start of play that such a substancehas been used, the referee shall order it to be removed immediately. Thestart of play shall not be delayed for the substance to be removed. If theoffense is detected after the play has started, the player must remove theforeign substance or trim the nails before the player can reenter the pool.Note: A pregame meeting of captains, head coaches and referees shall be held beforethe game to discuss the ground rules, the fingernails rule (the referee shall ask eachcoach if the players are in conformance with the rule concerning fingernails, toe-

nails, jewelry and foreign substances on their body) and to answer any questions.The referees shall inspect all players for articles likely to cause injury; toenails and fingernails that are sharp/dangerous; or oil, grease or similar substances on thebody and order an offending player to correct the violation immediately. Should anoffense be detected after the game has started, the referee must order the player to cut the nails or remove the offending substance immediately andthen resumes the game. If a referee instructs a player to trim the nails or remove a foreign substance, the referee must check the player before that player may enter or reenter the game. The game shall not be delayed for this

to occur.Method of SubstitutionSECTION 6. At any time in the game, a player may be substituted by leav-ing the field of play at the reentry area nearest to that player’s own goal line.The substitute may enter the field of play from the reentry area as soon asthe player has visibly risen to the surface of the water within the reentryarea. If a goalkeeper is substituted under this rule, the substitute shall berequired to wear a goalkeeper’s cap. No substitution shall be made underthis rule between the time a referee awards a penalty throw and the taking

RULE 5-2/TEAMS AND SUBSTITUTES



of the throw, except at a timeout.

Notes: If an excluded player is being substituted for, the excluded player does nothave to remain in the reentry area and may leave the pool immediately after enter-

ing the reentry area.Players may not be substituted, either from the reentry area or from the side of the pool, during a temporary stoppage of play, such as while a player is retrieving a cap,while a referee is checking on an injury or while the referee is resetting a clock.

Entry of SubstituteSECTION 7. A substitute may enter the field of play from any place:a . During the interval between periods of play, including any periods of

extra time;

b . After a goal has been scored;c . During a timeout; andd . To replace a player who is bleeding or injured.

Note: During a timeout, an excluded player is not required to go to the reentry areabefore leaving the pool to meet with the team. If a substitution is being made for theexcluded player during the timeout, the excluded player does not have to go to thereentry area before the substitute may enter from the reentry area.

Entry of Substitute Without DelaySECTION 8. A substitute shall be ready to replace a player without

delay. If the player is not ready, the game shall continue without the sub-stitute and, at any time, that player may then enter the field of play fromthe reentry area nearest to that player’s own goal line.

Substitution of GoalkeeperSECTION 9. A goalkeeper who has been replaced by a substitute may, ifreentering the game, play in any position.

Injury to GoalkeeperSECTION 10. Should a goalkeeper retire from the game through any

medical reason, the referees shall allow an immediate substitution, subject to one of the players taking the goalkeeper’s cap.

2 2 RULE 5-6/TEAMS AND SUBSTITUTES



N u m b e r

SECTION 1. It is recommended that, for NCAA championship and con-ference tournaments, the officials shall consist of two referees, two goal judges, two timekeepers and two secretaries, each with the followingpowers and duties. Such officials shall also be provided wherever possible for other events, except that in a game refereed by two referees and

no goal judges, the referees shall assume the powers and duties (butwithout making the specified signals) allocated to the goal judges in Rule8-2. The visiting team may have three observers at the desk.

Notes: Depending on the degree of importance, games can be controlled by teams of four to eight officials, as follows:

a . Referees and goal judges:

Two referees and two goal judges; or two referees and no goal judges; or one ref-eree and two goal judges.

b . Timekeepers and secretaries:

With one timekeeper and one secretary: The timekeeper shall record the periodsof continuous possession of the ball by each team, in accordance with Rule 9-1-ba n d Rule 20-17. The secretary shall record the exact periods of actual play, time-outs if personnel and equipment are available at the desk to do so and theintervals between periods, maintain the record of the game as set out in Rule 10,and shall also record the respective periods of exclusion of players ordered from thewater in accordance with the rules.

With two timekeepers and one secretary: Timekeeper No. 1 shall record the exact periods of actual play, timeouts if personnel and equipment are available at the desk to do so and the intervals between periods. Timekeeper No. 2 shall recordthe periods of continuous possession of the ball by each team, in accordance withRule 9-1-b and Rule 20-17. The secretary shall maintain the record of the gameand perform all other duties as set out in Rule 10.

With two timekeepers and two secretaries: Timekeeper No. 1 shall record the

RULE 6

O ff i c i a l s

2 3



exact periods of actual play, timeouts if personnel and equipment are availableat the desk to do so and the intervals between periods. Timekeeper No. 2 shallrecord the periods of continuous possession of the ball by each team, in accordance

withRule 9-1-b and

Rule 20-17. Secretary No. 1 shall maintain the record of the game as set out in Rule 10-a. Secretary No. 2 shall carry out the duties set out inRules 10-b, c and d relating to the improper reentry of excluded players, improperentry of substitutes, exclusion of players and the third personal foul.

P r o t e s t s

SECTION 2. Protests are handled by the tournament games committee.In the absence of the tournament games committee, protests may behandled by the referees or by the sponsoring conference or agency.Protests may be lodged only for misapplication of rules or errors in

recording information. The coach must inform the referee within fiveminutes after the conclusion of the game that the coach is filing aprotest and the protest procedure must be completed within 15 min-utes after the completion of the game. Protests must be lodged at thesite, recorded in the official scorebook and signed by the referees.When filing a protest, the coach may address the referee. Protests mustbe ruled on immediately if there is a tournament games committee. Ifthere is not a tournament games committee, the decision being protest-ed, if not handled by the referees, shall be referred to the sponsoring

conference or agency, if any. The sponsoring conference is the confer-ence to which both schools in a dual meet or all the schools in a tour-nament belong.

RULE 6-1/OFFICIALS2 4



Authority, UniformSECTION 1. The referees shall be in absolute control of the game. Theirauthority over the players shall be effective during the whole time thatthey and the players are within the precincts of the pool. All decisions ofthe referees on questions of fact shall be final and their interpretation ofthe rules shall be obeyed throughout the game. The referees shall notmake any presumption as to the facts of any situation during the game

but shall interpret what they observe to the best of their ability. Notes: Uniform and equipment for referees consist of a whistle used tostart and stop play, white shirt or jacket, white trousers, white footwear or uniform supplied by or authorized by a tournament or conference. If analternate uniform is provided for a tournament, the referees should wear the tournament uniform only if the tournament provides enough uniformsso that all referees can be dressed in this alternate uniform. Both referees for a game must be dressed in the alternate uniform or both must wear thewhite uniform.

The jurisdiction of the referees begins 30 minutes before the game andends five minutes after the conclusion of the game or when any protest pro-cedure has been completed (see Rule 6-2 for duration of protest). There shallbe no interaction between officials and coaches before or after a game or atournament game other than pregame instructions.

Altering DecisionSECTION 2. The referees shall whistle to start and restart the game andto declare goals, goal throws, corner throws (whether signaled by the

goal judge or not), neutral throws and infringements of the rules. A ref-eree may alter a decision provided it is done before the ball is put backinto play. If the referee indicates the award of a free throw by pointing inthe wrong direction, the referee shall stop play and call the ball out of thewater; play is resumed when neither team has an advantage. If the handsignals of the two referees differ, the ball is called out of the water; playis resumed when neither team has an advantage.

RULE 7

R e f e re e s

2 5



2 6

Advantage RuleSECTION 3. The referees shall refrain from declaring a foul if, in theiropinion, such declaration would be an advantage to the offending play-er’s team. The referees shall not declare an ordinary foul when there isstill a possibility to play the ball.

Note: The referees shall apply this principle to the fullest extent. They should not, for example, declare an ordinary foul in favor of a player who is in possession of theball and making progress towards the opponents’ goal, because this is considered to give an advantage to the offender’s team.

Control Over ConductSECTION 4. After the pregame meeting, the head coach and captain arethe only individuals authorized to address the referees. The headcoach and captain may address the referees at intervals between peri-

ods and during timeouts or with the permission of the referee or, in thecase of the head coach, when filing a protest. The head coach and cap-tain may discuss rule clarifications and misapplications of rules withthe officials at these times but may not comment to or address the ref-eree during the actual play of the game. Judgment calls are not anappropriate topic of discussion at any time.

The referees shall have the power to order any player from the waterin accordance with the appropriate rule and to abandon the game shoulda player refuse to leave the water when so ordered. The referees mayissue warnings, yellow cards or red cards, according to the rules.

Warning: If a coach or team official is disruptive or if the assistantcoach or other team official stands, that person may be issued a verbalwarning by the referee. Warnings are not recorded in the scorebook.

Yellow card: A yellow card may be issued to the head coach, to the assis-tant coach, to other team officials on the bench, or it may be issued to the bench (the players collectively on the bench). A yellow card is a visiblewarning to the bench for behavior such as interfering with the duties of the

officials or progress of the game, to the head coach for going beyond thearea designed for the head coach or to other coaches or team officials forstanding during the game. A yellow card may be issued if there is an addi-tional disruption after a warning or it may be issued immediately withoutthe previous issuance of a warning, depending upon the severity of theinfraction, and is valid for that game only. If the coach is issued a yellowcard, the coach is still permitted to progress to the 4-meter line when that

RULE 7-3/REFEREES



2 7

coach’s team is on attack, shout instructions and stand. The time and towhom the yellow card is issued are recorded on the scoresheet.

Red card: A red card may be issued to the head coach, assistant coaches,other team officials on the bench and to individual players on the bench. If

a coach or team official is disruptive after receiving a yellow card, a redcard is issued. If, in the judgment of the referee, the infraction is severe, ared card may be issued immediately to a coach or team official withoutissuing a warning or a yellow card, depending upon the severity of theinfraction. A red card may also be issued directly to a player on the benchwho is disruptive (no warning or yellow card is issued to an individual ath-lete). The time and to whom the red card is issued are recorded on thescoresheet. The referees shall have the power to order any player from thewater in accordance with the appropriate rule and to issue a red card

should a player refuse to leave the water when so ordered (see Rule 21-12). The referee has the ability to abandon the game if a player continues torefuse to leave the water when so ordered. A coach or other team officialreceiving a red card must leave the pool facility and have no visual or elec-tronic contact with the team. The assistant coach assumes the rights andprivileges of the head coach when the head coach receives a red card dur-ing a game. A player receiving a red card may sit in the spectator standsduring the remainder of that game but may not communicate with theteam by any means. Further misconduct by an excluded player, coach or

other team official could result in a forfeit.

The person receiving a red card is automatically suspended from thenext traditional season game. The suspension shall be served immedi-ately upon the resolution of the matter by the conference or otherappropriate governing authority, including the NCAA ChampionshipCommittee, and may be served only against teams of four-year institu-tions recognized as NCAA or NAIA members and the game must havebeen on the team’s schedule prior to the game where the red card was

issued. Games scheduled subsequent to any sanctionable act will notbe recognized for the purpose of serving suspensions. If the game wasthe last game of the traditional season, the person is suspended fromthe first game of the postseason championship or the first game (asdefined previously) of the next traditional season, as appropriate. It isthe responsibility of the institution to make certain that the suspen-sion is served in accordance with the rules.

RULE 7-4/REFEREES



2 8

Interpretation: An individual (player, coach or team official) who has received a red cardin the previous game may sit in the spectator stands during the game at which the sus-pension is being served but may not communicate with the team by any method.

When the referee issues a yellow or red card, the referee shall whistle tostop play without taking the advantage away from the nonoffending team,call the ball out of the pool, and show the appropriate card. When a yellowor red card is issued, the referee must notify the table as to whom the cardwas issued or, in the case of a yellow card, if it was issued to the bench. Thetime and person (or bench) to whom the card was issued shall be indicatedin the “Progress of the Game” portion of the scoresheet. The referee shallthen put the ball back into play. A goal may not be scored by a direct shoton goal in this instance.

Removal From Pool

SECTION 5. The referees shall have the power to order the removal fromthe precincts of the pool any player, substitute, spectator or officialwhose behavior prevents the referees from carrying out their duties in aproper and impartial manner.

Abandonment of GameSECTION 6. The referees shall have the power to abandon the game atany time if, in their opinion, the behavior of the players or spectators, orother circumstances prevent it from being brought to a proper conclu-sion. If the game has to be abandoned, the referees shall report their

actions to the competent authority, such as the league or conferencecommissioner or to the institutions’ athletic directors.

RULE 7-4/REFEREES



L o c a t i o n

SECTION 1. The goal judges shall be situated on the same side as theofficial table, each on the goal line at the end of the field of play.

D u t i e s

SECTION 2. The duties of the goal judges shall be:

a. To signal by raising one arm vertically when the players are correctlypositioned on their respective goal lines at the start of a period;

b. To signal by raising both arms vertically for an improper start orrestart;

c. To signal by pointing with the arm in the direction of the attack for agoal throw;

d. To signal by pointing with the arm in the direction of the attack for acorner throw; and

e. To signal by raising and crossing both arms for a goal.B a l l s

SECTION 3. Each goal judge shall be provided with a supply of balls andwhen the original ball has gone outside the field of play, the goal judgeshall immediately throw a new ball to the goalkeeper (for a goal throw),to the nearest player of the attacking team (for a corner throw), or as oth-erwise directed by the referee.

Interpretation: Whenever the ball leaves the field of play (i.e., thrown or deflected), thegoal judge must immediately on signal from the referee throw the ball to the nearest

player of the team that will now have possession, that player usually being the goal-keeper. Players should not leave the field of play to retrieve a ball. The player shouldretrieve it only if it is immediately outside the field of play (next to a lane line) when theplayer does not need to leave the field of play.

RULE 8

Goal Judges

2 9



D u t i e s

SECTION 1. The duties of the timekeepers shall be:

a . To record the exact periods of actual play, timeouts if personnel andequipment are available at the desk to do so and the intervals betweenthe periods;

The timekeeper shall:1 . Start the game clock at the beginning of each period when a player

touches the ball and stop the clock each time the whistle blows. Startthe clock again when the ball is put into play. Play is resumed whenthe ball leaves the hand of the player taking a free throw, goal throwor corner throw;

2 . Start the clock on a penalty throw when the ball leaves the hand ofthe player taking the penalty throw and stop on the whistle, or if theshot is missed, continue running the clock; and

3 . Start the clock on a neutral throw when one of the players touches the b a l l .

b . To record the periods of continuous possession of the ball by each team;The timekeeper shall start the 35-second clock at the beginning of the

period when the first player gains possession of the ball (the player neednot actually touch the ball) and shall stop the clock each time the whistle blows. Play is resumed when the ball leaves the hand of the player takinga free throw, goal throw or corner throw. The timekeeper shall reset the 35-second clock:

1 . After a goal or an attempt at a goal (reset the 35-second clock whenthe ball leaves the hand of the shooter; if the ball rebounds into thefield of play after an attempt, reset the clock again and start the clockwhen either team gains possession of the ball);

2 . After an exclusion or offensive turnover when the ball is put intop l a y ;

3 . When the opposing team gains possession of the ball (“possession”shall not include the ball merely being touched in flight by an oppos-ing player);

RULE 9

Ti m e k e e p e r s

30



3 1

4 . When a neutral throw is awarded (start the clock when one playergains possession of the ball);

5 . When a penalty throw is awarded (if the shot is missed and the ballrebounds, start the clock when a player gains possession of the ball);

6 . On a goal throw or corner throw (start the clock when the team putsthe ball into play). The clock is not reset when the ball goes out-of- bounds on the sides of the pool last touched by a defensive playerunless a shot was taken; and

7 . On a ball-under call if there is a clear change of possession, not amomentary touching of the ball. The player has to be in control ofthe ball.

If a player throws the ball into a vacant corner before the expiration of 35seconds, the referee shall blow the whistle to stop both clocks and signal a

free throwat that site. The 35-second clock shall be reset, and both the gameclock and the 35-second clock are started when the ball is put into play atthe site of the free throw.

The timekeeper shall turn off the 35-second clock when less than 35seconds remain in a period and a new 35-second period of possession isa w a r d e d .

c . To record the exclusion times of players ordered from the water inaccordance with the rules, together with the reentry times of such play-ers or their substitutes;

d . To audibly announce the start of the last minute of the game and of thelast minute of the second period of any extra time and of any subse-quent sudden-death overtime periods; and

e . To signal by whistle after 1:45 and at the end of each timeout if per-sonnel and equipment are available at the desk to do so.

End of Period

SECTION 2. A timekeeper shall signal by whistle (or by any other meansprovided it is distinctive, acoustically efficient and readily understood), the

end of each period independently of the referees and the signal shall takeimmediate effect except:

a . In the case of the simultaneous award by a referee of a penalty throw, inwhich event the penalty throw shall be taken in accordance with therules; and

b . If the ball is in flight and crosses the goal line, in which event any resul-tant goal shall be allowed.

RULE 9-1/TIMEKEEPERS



3 2 RULE



D u t i e s

The duties of the secretaries shall be:

a . To maintain the record of the game, including the players, the score,timeouts, exclusion fouls, penalty fouls, and personal fouls awardedagainst each player;

The scorer shall:1 . Record the names and corresponding cap numbers in numerical

order for all players. The team roster for each team, with numbersdesignated, must be in the secretary’s hands before the start of theg a m e ;

2 . Record players’ goals (time and cap number);3 . Record personal fouls (time and cap number) and, when a player is

assessed a third personal foul that is an exclusion foul, inform thereferee, as soon as possible after the substitution, that the playerhas three personal fouls (to ensure that the referee is aware that the

player would be an illegal player if the player reenters the poollater in the game);4 . Note on the scoresheet if a player is removed for the remainder of the

game for fighting or brutality;5 . Record official timeouts, the time and period each occurs, keep a

record visible to the teams of the timeouts remaining, and notify thecoach and referees when a team has used its allotted timeouts;

6 . Record the 20-second timeout for each team, the time and periodthat it occurs;

7 . Record the date and place of games, names of referees, and protests,if any.

b . To control the periods of exclusion of players and to signal the expira-tion of the period of exclusion by raising the appropriate flag; exceptthat a referee shall signal the reentry of an excluded player or a substi-tute when that player’s team has retaken possession of the ball;

RULE 10

S e c re t a r i e s

32



3 3

The exclusion secretary shall:1 . Record the cap number of the excluded players, the time of exclusion

and the time of reentry; and2 . Raise the white or blue flag when the excluded player may reenter

the game at the conclusion of the 20-second exclusion period, pro-vided that the excluded player has reached the reentry area. Theexclusion secretary shall keep the flag raised for several seconds afterthe excluded player reenters the pool to ensure that the referee isaware that the reentry was permitted by the exclusion secretary. Theexclusion secretary shall not raise the flag for reentry at the expira-tion of the 20-second exclusion period of a substitute player if theexcluded player (for whom the substitute is going to reenter) has notgone to the reentry area. See exception in Rule 12-3-b for substitutionfor an excluded player during a timeout.

c . To signal with the red flag and by whistle for any improper reentry ofan excluded player or improper entry of a substitute, which signal shallstop play immediately; and

d . To signal, without delay, the award of a third personal foul against anyplayer as follows:1 . With the red flag if the third personal foul is an exclusion foul;2 . With the red flag and a whistle if the third personal foul is a penalty

f o u l .

If two players are excluded, one from each team, and the foul is the thirdfoul for one of the players, the secretary shall raise (in one hand) the red flagand the flag corresponding to the cap color of the player with three per-sonal fouls.

In the case of a third foul which is a penalty foul, the entry of the substi-tute is immediate (before the penalty throw is taken). In the case of a thirdfoul which is an exclusion foul, the secretary shall blow the whistle if theplayer reenters the field of play, even if the referee signals a change in pos-session. If the game is in progress when the player reenters the field of play,

the player must be removed immediately, with immediate substitution,and a penalty throw awarded. No additional personal foul is charged. If aplayer with three personal fouls enters immediately after a goal has beenscored, the referee will remove the player and allow a substitute to enterimmediately. No additional personal foul or penalty throw is awarded inthis instance.

RULE 10/SECRETARIES



Length of GameSECTION 1. The duration of the game shall be four periods each of sevenminutes actual play. Time shall commence at the start of each periodwhen a player touches the ball. At all signals for stoppages, the record-ing watch shall be stopped until the ball is put back into play by the ballleaving the hand of the player taking the appropriate throw or when the ball is touched by a player following a neutral throw.

Interval Between Periods, Change of EndsSECTION 2. There shall be a two-minute interval between quartersand a five-minute interval at half time, unless dictated by television orpromotional considerations with mutual agreement of both teams. Theteams, including the players, coaches and officials, shall change endsbefore starting the third period and the second period of any overtime.

Note: For exception to the rule for change of ends, see Rule 5-2.

O v e r t i m eSECTION 3. Should the score be tied at full time in any game, contin-uation into overtime shall be after an interval of five minutes. Thereshall then be played two periods each of three minutes actual playwith an interval of two minutes for the teams to change ends. If at theend of the first two periods of extra time the score is tied, there shallbe an interval of two minutes. There shall be a coin toss to determineends for the first sudden death three-minute period. Additional three-minute periods will be played until a goal is scored, at which time the

game shall end (sudden death). After each sudden death three-minuteperiod, a two-minute interval shall be allowed for change of ends.

Note: A game shall not remain a tie.

Descending TimeSECTION 4. Any visible clock shall show the time in a descending man-ner (that is, to show the time remaining in a period).

RULE 11

Duration of the Game

34



3 5

No ContestSECTION 5. If either team is not ready to start within one-half hourafter the announced starting time, the game shall be considered as “nocontest” unless there is mutual consent between coaches to wait anadditional period of time. A game that is not started shall not counttoward either team’s won-lost record. A team that is involved in agoal-difference situation that has incurred a “no contest” cannotadvance by means of the “no contest.”

F o r f e i tSECTION 6. When a team fails to comply with the rules after thepregame meeting or decides for any reason not to complete the game,the game may become subject to forfeiture. A game that is forfeitedshall be counted in a team’s won-lost record. If the referee declares the

game a forfeit, the score is recorded 5-0. The goals are not credited toany player. Any team involved in a goal-difference situation that for-feits a game cannot advance by means of a forfeit. In the case of eithera “no contest” or a forfeited game, the referees are paid a full fee.

RULE 11-5/DURATION OF THE GAME



Number of Regular Timeouts, How CalledSECTION 1. Each team shall be entitled to three regular timeouts dur-ing the first four periods; in overtime, each team shall be entitled toonly one regular timeout regardless of the number of timeouts calledduring regulation time. The duration of the timeout shall be no longerthan two minutes.

A timeout may be requested at any time by the coach or by any player

in the water of the team in possession of the ball calling “timeout” andsignaling to the referee with the hands forming a T-shape or the coachmay signal with an air horn if both coaches agree to their use. The airhorns are to be provided by the home team. If a timeout is requested, thereferee shall immediately stop the game by whistle.

A timeout also may be called by any defensive player or coach of thedefensive team after the offensive team has called a timeout and beforethe ball has been put into play after the timeout. After a goal is scored orbefore a penalty throw, either team may call a timeout before the referee

puts the ball into play.The number of timeouts remaining for each team shall be visible to the

teams and maintained by the secretary.

Position of Players During Regular TimeoutSECTION 2. During a regular timeout both teams must stay in theirrespective halves of the pool. Teams may only take up their position torestart on signal from the referee with 15 seconds remaining in thetimeout. The coach or captain of the team that called the timeout mayinform the referee at any time before 1:45 minutes have elapsed of thetimeout that the team is ready to resume play. The referee shall blow awhistle when so informed as a signal to both teams that play will startin 15 seconds and shall also verbally inform the other team at the sametime that play will start in 15 seconds.

Note: If a timeout is called, the players shall return immediately to their respectivehalves of the field of play.

RULE 12

Ti m e o u t s

36



3 7

Starting After Regular TimeoutSECTION 3. Play shall be restarted on the whistle of the referee at theconclusion of the timeout period by the team in possession of the ballputting the ball into play at or behind the half-distance line, except that:

a . If the timeout is requested before the taking of a penalty throw or cor-ner throw, that throw shall be maintained;

b . If the timeout is requested after a goal has been scored, the refereesshall stop the play for the requested timeout.

If the timeout was called by either team immediately after a goal isscored, the team just scored upon shall put the ball in play after the time-out at or behind the half-distance line on the whistle of the referee.Players may take any position in the field of play. If, before the ball hasbeen put into play after the timeout, the other team calls a timeout, the

team just scored upon or the team on offense shall put the ball in playafter that timeout at or behind the half-distance line and players maytake any position in the field of play.

At the conclusion of the timeout period (15 seconds after the warningwhistle given by the timekeeper or referee), the defensive referee shallsignal by whistle for the ball to be put into play. The player must put theball in play without undue delay after the referee has whistled the ballin play or lose it to the opposing team’s nearest player.

Interpretation: If the team calling the timeout does not come out from the timeout after

the referee blows the whistle, the referee shall throw the ball to the offensive playerclosest to and behind the half-distance line.

The excluded player may leave the pool during a timeout to meet withthe team. A player may be substituted for an excluded player during atimeout. The excluded player in this instance does not have to go to thereentry area before the substitute may enter from the reentry area.

Note: The possession clock continues from the recommencement of the play after thet i m e o u t .

Offensive Team-Additional TimeoutSECTION 4. If the coach of the team in possession of the ball requests atimeout to which the team is not entitled, the game shall be stopped andplay shall then be restarted by a player of the opposing team putting the ball into play on the half-distance line.

RULE 12-3/TIMEOUTS



3 8

Defensive Team-Additional TimeoutSECTION 5. The referee shall not award a timeout to the team not inpossession of the ball above the number permitted nor at times notpermitted.

Interpretation: The referee blows the whistle for a timeout called by the team withblue caps when neither team has possession of the ball. Although the referee shouldhave ignored the whistle and allowed play to continue, since the referee did blow thewhistle, the referee must award the ball to the team that did not call the timeout, theteam with white caps in this example.

Position of Players After TimeoutSECTION 6. At the restart following a timeout, players may take anyposition in the field of play, subject to the rules relating to the taking ofpenalty throws and corner throws.

20-Second TimeoutSECTION 7. One 20-second timeout may be called by each team duringthe game. The single 20-second timeout may be called either once dur-ing regular time or once in overtime. Only the team on offense or theteam that will be on offense (after a goal was scored by the other team)may call a 20-second timeout. To signal a 20-second timeout, the coachcalls “timeout” and touches both shoulders. The referee will immedi-ately note the time, will begin to time the timeout and will notify thedesk and the other team immediately that this is a 20-second timeout.The referee will blow a whistle after 10 seconds and a second whistleafter 20 seconds and throw the ball to an offensive player at or behindthe center of the pool who shall then immediately put the ball intoplay or lose it to the opposing team’s nearest player, or, if the timeoutwas requested before the taking of a penalty throw or corner throw,that throw shall be maintained. All substitutions must be completedby the second whistle.

Note: The secretary must record the 20-second timeout on the scoresheet.Interpretation: The 20-second timeout is to be used strategically for substitutions

and/or to improve the location of a team in the pool and not for a huddle at the side ofthe pool. The teams do not move to their half of the pool for this timeout. The coachcalling the 20-second timeout may move along the sideline to the half-distance lineduring a 20-second timeout.

Television TimeoutSECTION 8. A television timeout of no more than two minutes may becalled once each quarter after the 04:00 minute mark by the refereeafter notification by the television production crew. This televisiontimeout may be called after a goal, before a neutral throw or before a

RULE 12-5/TIMEOUTS



3 9

corner throw. Players may be substituted during this timeout. The ref-eree shall signal a television timeout by blowing the whistle andextending each arm straight out to the side. It is recommended that athird official serve as a television liaison (red cap) to indicate whentelevision timeouts should be called. The official shall hang a towelfrom the scoring table to indicate that a television timeout shall becalled at the next opportunity within the rules.

RULE 12-8/TIMEOUTS



Coin Toss

SECTION 1. Before the start of the game and in the presence of the cap-tains, the referee shall toss a coin, the winner will have the choice of ends.

P o s i t i o n s

SECTION 2. At the start of each period, the players shall take positionson their respective goal lines, about 1 meter apart and at least 1 meterfrom the goal posts. Not more than two players shall be allowed betweenthe goal posts. No part of a player’s body shall be beyond the goal line atwater level.

If it is possible for the teams to shove off from both ends of the pool,the players may grasp the ends of the pool no higher than the water levelat the start of each period; if it is not possible for both teams to grasp theends of the pool, the players of both teams shall take positions with theirheads on the goal lines or the 2-meter line.

S t a r tSECTION 3. When the referees are satisfied that the teams are ready, areferee shall blow the whistle to start and then release or throw the ballinto play on the half-distance line.

Note: If there are not competent goal judges, the two referees shall take up a posi-tion opposite one another on the half-distance line. The starting referee shall waitwith one arm raised in a vertical position for the signal from the second referee thatboth teams are correctly positioned on the goal line. This signal shall be made by thesecond referee raising both arms above the head when both teams are positioned cor-rectly. The starting referee shall then signal immediately for the start by blowingthe whistle and lowering the arm to a horizontal position.

Ball Thrown to Advantage of Team

SECTION 4. If the ball is released or thrown giving one team a definiteadvantage, the referee shall call for the ball and award a neutral throwon the half-distance line.

RULE 13

The Start of Play

40



4 1 RULE



G o a lSECTION 1. A goal shall be scored when the entire ball has passed fullyover the goal line, between the goal posts and underneath the crossbar.

Goalkeeper RestrictionSECTION 2. A goal may be scored from anywhere within the field ofplay; except that the goalkeeper shall not be permitted to go or touch the ball beyond the half-distance line.

How ScoredSECTION 3. A goal may be scored by any part of the body except theclenched fist. A goal may be scored by dribbling the ball into the goal. Atthe start or any restart of the game, at least two players (of either team but excluding the defending goalkeeper) must intentionally play ortouch the ball except at the taking of:

a . A penalty throw;

b . A free throw thrown by a player into that player’s own goal;c . An immediate shot from a goal throw; or

d . An immediate shot from a free throw awarded outside 7 meters.

Notes: A goal may be scored by a player immediately shooting from outside 7meters after that player’s team has been awarded a free throw for a foul committedoutside 7 meters. The criteria to determine whether a direct shot is immedi-ate are the same as those to determine whether a penalty throw was takenimmediately (see Rule 23-4). If the player puts the ball into play, a goal can then

only be scored if the ball has been intentionally touched by another player, otherthan the defending goalkeeper.

If at the award of a foul outside 7 meters, the ball is inside 7 meters or closerto the defending team’s goal, a goal may be scored under this rule if the ball isreturned without delay to either the place where the foul was committed, to any place on the same line as the foul or to any place behind the line of the foul pro-vided the shot is then immediately made from that position.

RULE 14

Method of Scoring

41



4 2

Interpretation: A player in the abovesituations who is either fouled outside 7 meters andhas the ball outside 7 meters or is fouled outside 7 meters but the ball is inside 7 metersand returnedwithout delay as described above, may look in the general direction of theg o a l and then take an immediate shot at the goal.

A goal may not be scored under this rule direct from the restart following:

a . A timeout;b . A goal;

c . An injury, including bleeding;

d . The replacement of a cap;

e . The referee calling for the ball;

f . The ball leaving the side of the field of play; or

g . Any other delay.

All goal throws may be shot at the opposing goal regardless of whether the ballwas within the field of play or came from outside the field of play. All balls that go out-of-bounds over the goal line that are awarded to the goalkeeper may beshot. However, if the ball goes out-of-bounds over the side line, it may not beshot.

Goal at Expiration of TimeSECTION 4. A goal shall be scored if, at the expiration of 35 seconds pos-session or at the end of a period, the ball is in flight and enters the goal.

Notes: In the circumstances of this rule, if the ball enters the goal after hitting the goal post, crossbar, goalkeeper or other defending player, and/or bouncing off thewater, a goal shall be allowed. If the end of the period has been signaled and the ballis then played or touched intentionally by another attacking player on its way intothe goal, the goal shall not be allowed.

If the ball is in flight toward the goal in the circumstances of this rule and the goalkeeper or another defending player pulls down the goal, or within the 4-meterarea a defending player other than the goalkeeper stops the ball with two hands orarms or punches the ball to prevent a goal being scored, the referee shall award a

penalty throw if, in the referee’s opinion, the ball would have reached the goal lineif the offense had not occurred.

If the ball which is in flight toward the goal in the circumstances of this rule landson the water and then floats completely over the goal line, the referee shall award a goal only if the ball floats over the goal line immediately due to the momentum of the shot.

RULE 14-3/METHOD OF SCORING



4 3

When CountedSECTION 5. A goal counts in the following situations and is awarded tothe player on the opposing team closest to the goal:

a . If a player awarded a free throw passes the ball to that team’s goal-

keeper, who without having touched it (and without any other playerhaving touched it) allows the ball to go through that team’s goal;

b . If the ball is thrown by a player into that player’s goal;

c . If the defense puts the ball into its own goal.

When Not CountedSECTION 6. A goal does not count:

a . If the ball is in flight on its way to the goal when the referee blows thewhistle for a foul;

b . If there is a player in the pool with three personal fouls who was not vis-ibly red-flagged by the desk;

c . If the ball thrown by a player toward the goal hits an overhead obstruc-tion and then goes into the goal space;

d . If the defending goalkeeper drops the ball when taking a goal throw orfree throw and allows the ball to enter the goal (the goalkeeper is to takethe throw again); or

e . If the ball is shot illegally (for example, shot on a free throw for a foulinside the 7-meter line, shot on a free throw after a timeout, shot on afree throw at the restart after a goal, etc., regardless of whether the goal-keeper or another defending player tips the ball into the goal). A goal inthis circumstance is counted only if the ball is played (controlled) by aplayer of either team after the free throw and then goes into the goal.

RULE 14-5/METHOD OF SCORING



Method of Restart

After a goal has been scored, the players shall take up positions any-where within their respective halves of the field of play. No part of a play-er’s body shall be beyond the half-distance line at water level. A refereeshall restart the game by blowing the whistle. At the time of the restart,actual play shall resume when the ball leaves the hand of a player of theteam not having scored the goal. A restart not taken in accordance with this

rule shall be retaken.

RULE 15

R e s t a rting After a Goal

44



When Awarded

SECTION 1. A goal throw shall be awarded:

a . When the entire ball has passed fully over the goal line excluding between the goal posts and underneath the crossbar, having last beenplayed or touched by a player of the attacking team or

b . When the entire ball has passed fully over the goal line between the goal

posts and underneath the crossbar, or strikes the goal posts, crossbar orthe defending goalkeeper direct from:1 . A free throw awarded inside 7 meters;2 . A free throw awarded outside 7 meters not taken immediately;3 . A goal throw not taken immediately; or4 . A corner throw.

How Taken

SECTION 2. The goal throw shall be taken by the defending goalkeeperfrom anywhere within the 2-meter area. If the goalkeeper is out of the

water, the goal throw shall be taken by another defending player. (Thedefending player replacing the goalkeeper does not have the privilegesor limitations of a goalkeeper.)

A goal throw not taken in accordance with this rule shall be retaken.

Note: There should be no undue delay in taking a free throw, goal throw or cornerthrow, which must be taken in such a manner so as to enable the other players toobserve the ball leaving the thrower’s hand. Players often make the mistake of delay-ing the throw because they overlook the provisions of Rule 19-4, which permit the

thrower to dribble the ball before passing to another player. The throw can thus betaken immediately, even though the thrower cannot at that moment find a player towhom to pass the ball. On such an occasion, the player is allowed to take the throweither by dropping it from a raised hand on to the surface of the water (Fig. 1) or bythrowing it in the air (Fig. 2) and then swim with or dribble the ball. In either case,the throw must be taken so that the other players are able to observe it.

RULE 16

Goal Thro w s

45



RULE 16-2/GOAL THROWS4 6



When TakenSECTION 1. A corner throw shall be awarded when the entire ball haspassed fully over the goal line excluding between the goal posts andunderneath the crossbar, having last been played or touched by a playerof the defending team.

How TakenSECTION 2. The corner throw shall be taken by a player of the attacking

team from the 2-meter mark on the side nearest to which the ball crossedthe goal line. The throw need not be taken by the nearest player but shall be taken without undue delay.

Note: For method of taking throw, see note to Rule 16-2.

Position of PlayersSECTION 3. At the taking of a corner throw no players of the attackingteam shall be within the 2-meter area.

Retaking Corner Throw

SECTION 4. A corner throw taken from the wrong position or before theplayers of the attacking team have left the 2-meter area shall be retaken.

RULE 17

C o rner Thro w s

47



When Awarded

SECTION 1. A neutral throw shall be awarded:

a . When, at the start of a period, a referee is of the opinion that the ball hasfallen in a position to the definite advantage of one team;

b . When one or more players of each team commit a foul at the samemoment which makes it impossible for the referees to distinguish which

player offended first;c . When both referees blow their whistles at the same moment to awardordinary fouls to the opposing teams;

d . When a player of each team commits an exclusion foul simultaneouslywhether during actual play or in dead time. The neutral throw is to betaken after the exclusion of the offending players; or

e . When the ball strikes or lodges in an overhead obstruction.

How Taken

SECTION 2. At a neutral throw, a referee shall throw the ball into thefield of play at approximately the same lateral position as the eventoccurred in such a manner as to allow the players of both teams to haveequal opportunity to reach the ball. A neutral throw awarded within the2-meter area shall be taken on the 2-meter line. One player from eachteam closest to the point where the foul and/or stoppage occurred shall be selected by the referee to engage in the neutral throw. All other play-ers are not allowed within 2 meters of the two players involved in a neu-tral throw. If a goalkeeper is involved in action requiring a neutral

throw, the nearest team member shall replace the goalkeeper in the neu-tral throw.

Note: At least one of the two players selected for the neutral throw must touch theball before any other player may touch the ball. The ball may be played before ittouches the water.

RULE 18

Neutral Thro w s

48



4 9

When Retaken

SECTION 3. If at a neutral throw the referee is of the opinion that the ballhas fallen in a position to the definite advantage of one team, the refereeshall call for the ball and retake the throw.

RULE 18-3/NEUTRAL THROWS



50

RULE 19

F ree Thro w sWhere TakenSECTION 1. A free throw shall be taken at the place where the fouloccurred, except:

a . If the ball is further from the defending team’s goal, the free throw shall be taken from the location of the ball;

b . If the foul is committed by a defending player within the defender’s 2-meter area, the free throw shall be taken on the 2-meter line opposite towhere the foul was committed or, if the ball is outside the 2-meter area,from the location of the ball; or

c . Where otherwise provided for in the rules.

A free throw taken from the wrong position shall be retaken.

Time AllowedSECTION 2. The time allowed for a player to take a free throw shall be

at the discretion of the referees; it shall be reasonable and without unduedelay but does not have to be immediate. It shall be an offense if a play-er who is clearly in a position most readily to take a free throw does notdo so.

Responsibility for Return of BallSECTION 3. The responsibility for returning the ball to the player who isto take the free throw shall be that of the team to which the free throw isawarded.

How Taken

SECTION 4. The free throw shall be taken in a manner to enable the play-ers to observe the ball leaving the hand of the player taking the throw,who shall also then be permitted to carry or dribble the ball before pass-ing to another player. The ball shall be in play immediately when itleaves the hand of the player taking the free throw.

Note: For method of taking throw, see note to Rule 16-2.



D e f i n i t i o nSECTION 1. It shall be an ordinary foul to commit any of the followingoffenses (Rule 20-2 to Rule 20-19), which shall be punished by the awardof a free throw to the opposing team.

Note: The referees must award ordinary fouls in accordance with the rules to enablethe attacking team to develop an advantage situation. However, the referees musthave regard to the special circumstance of Rule 7-3 (Advantage).

Starting EarlySECTION 2. To advance beyond the goal line at the start of a period, before the referee has given the signal to start. The free throw shall betaken from the location of the ball or, if the ball has not been released intothe field of play, from the half-distance line;

Assisting a PlayerSECTION 3. To assist a player at the start of a period or at any other timeduring the game;

Holding or Pushing Off From PoolSECTION 4. To hold on to or push off from the goal posts or their fix-tures, to hold on to or push off from the sides or ends of the pool duringactual play or to hold on to the rails except at the start of a period;

Using the BottomSECTION 5. To take any active part in the game when standing on thefloor of the pool, to walk when play is in progress or to jump from thefloor of the pool to play the ball or tackle an opponent. This rule shall not

apply to the goalkeeper while within the goalkeeper’s 4-meter area;Taking the Ball UnderSECTION 6. To take or hold the entire ball under the water when tack-led;

Note: It is an ordinary foul to take or hold the ball under the water when tackled,even if the player holding the ball has the ball forced under the water as a result of the opponent’s challenge (Fig. 3). It makes no difference that the ball goes under the

RULE 20

O rd i n a ryFouls

51



5 2

water against that player’s will. What is important is that the foul is awardedagainst the player who was in contact with the ball at the moment it was takenunder the water. It is important to remember that the offense can only occur whena player takes the ball under when tackled. Thus, if the goalkeeper emerges high outof the water to save a shot and then while falling back takes the ball under the water,the goalkeeper has committed no offense; but if the goalkeeper then holds the ballunder the water when challenged by an opponent, the goalkeeper will have com-mitted an infringement of this rule and if the goalkeeper’s actions prevented a prob-able goal, a penalty throw must be awarded under Rule 22-2.

Using Clenched FistSECTION 7. To strike at the ball with a clenched fist. This rule shall not

apply to the goalkeeper while within the goalkeeper’s 4-meter area;Using Two HandsSECTION 8. To play or touch the ball with two hands at the same time.This rule shall not apply to the goalkeeper while within the goalkeeper’s4-meter area;

Interpretation: A field player violates the 2-hands rule if contact with the ball is madesimultaneously with both wrists, or with one hand and the wrist of the other limb. It isnot a violation to move the ball quickly from one hand to the other. It is not a violationto block a ball with both forearms simultaneously.

I m p e d i n gSECTION 9. To impede or otherwise prevent the free movement of anopponent who is not holding the ball, including swimming on the oppo-nent’s shoulders, back or legs. “Holding” is lifting, carrying or touchingthe ball but does not include dribbling the ball.

Notes: The first thing for the referee to consider is whether the opponent is holdingthe ball, because if the opponent is doing so, the player making the challenge can-not be penalized for “impeding.” It is clear that a player is holding the ball if it is

RULE 20-6/ORDINARY FOULS



5 3

held raised above the water (Fig. 4). The player is also holding the ball if the playerswims with it held in the hand or makes contact with the ball while it is lying onthe surface of the water (Fig. 5). Swimming with the ball (dribbling), as shown inFig. 6, is not considered to be holding.

A common form of impeding is where the player swims across an opponent’s legs(Fig. 7), thus reducing the pace at which the opponent can move and interferingwith normal leg action. Another form is swimming on the opponent’s shoulders.It must also be remembered that the foul of impeding can be committed by the play-er who is in possession of the ball. For example, Fig. 8 shows a player keeping onehand on the ball and trying to force the opponent away to gain more space. Fig. 9shows a player in possession of the ball impeding an opponent by pushing the oppo-nent back with the head. Care must be taken with Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, because anyviolent movement by the player in possession of the ball might constitute striking

or even brutality; the figures are intended to illustrate impeding without any vio-lent movement. A player may also commit the offense of impeding even if the play-er is not holding or touching the ball. Fig. 10 shows a player intentionally blockingan opponent with the player’s body and with the arms flung open, thus makingaccess to the ball impossible. This offense is most often committed near the bound-aries of the field of play.


Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 9 Fig. 10

Fig. 8



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Pushing or Pushing OffSECTION 10. To push or push off from an opponent who is not holdingthe ball;

Note: Pushing can take place in various forms, including with the hand (Fig. 11)

or with the foot (Fig. 12). In the cases illustrated, the punishment is a free throw foran ordinary foul. However, referees must take care to differentiate between pushingwith the foot and kicking - which then becomes an exclusion foul or even brutality.If the foot is already in contact with the opponent when the movement begins, thiswill usually be pushing, but if the movement begins before such contact with theopponent is made, then this should generally be regarded as kicking.

Offensive Dead-Time FoulSECTION 11. For a player of the team in possession of the ball to commitan offense under Rule 20-9 (to impede an opponent) or Rule 20-10 (to

push or push off from an opponent) before a free throw, goal throw orcorner throw is taken;

Inside 2-Meter AreaSECTION 12. To be within 2 meters of the opponents’ goal except when behind the line of the ball. It shall not be an offense if a player takes the ball into the 2-meter area and passes it to another player who is behindthe line of the ball and who shoots at goal immediately, before the firstplayer has been able to leave the 2-meter area;

Note: If the player receiving the pass does not shoot at goal, the player who passedthe ball must immediately leave the 2-meter area to avoid being penalized under thisr u l e .

Failing to Take Penalty Throw CorrectlySECTION 13. To take a penalty throw other than in the prescribed man-ner;

Note: See Rule 23-4 for method of taking a penalty throw.


Fig. 11 Fig. 12



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Delay in Taking a ThrowSECTION 14. To delay unduly when taking a free throw, goal throw orcorner throw;

Note: See note to Rule 16-2.

Goalkeeper Beyond Half-Distance LineSECTION 15. For a goalkeeper to go or touch the ball beyond the half-distance line;

Sending Ball Out of BoundsSECTION 16. To send the ball out of the side of the field of play, includ-ing the ball rebounding from the side of the field of play above waterlevel;

Keeping Ball More Than 35 Seconds Without Shooting

SECTION 17. For a team to retain possession of the ball for more than 35seconds of actual play without shooting at its opponent’s goal;

The timekeeper recording the possession time shall reset the clock:

a . When the ball has left the hand of the player shooting at goal. If the ballrebounds into play from the goal post, crossbar or the goalkeeper, thepossession time shall not recommence until the ball comes into the pos-session of one of the teams;

b . When the ball comes into the possession of the opposing team.

“Possession” shall not include the ball merely being touched in flight byan opposing player; andInterpretation: The 35-second clock is reset for a ball-under call if there is a clear changeof possession, not a momentary touching of the ball. The player has to be in control ofthe ball.

c . When the ball is put into play following the award of an exclusion foul,penalty foul, goal throw, corner throw or neutral throw.

Visible clocks shall show the time in a descending manner (that is, toshow the possession time remaining);

Note: The timekeeper and referees must decide whether there was a shot on goal ornot, but the referees have the final decision.

Wasting TimeSECTION 18. To waste time; or

Notes: It is always permissible for a referee to award an ordinary foul under thisrule before the 35 seconds possession period has elapsed.




If the goalkeeper is the only player of that team in the goalkeeper’s half of the fieldof play, it shall be deemed wasting time for the goalkeeper to receive the ball fromanother member of the goalkeeper’s team who is in the other half of the field of play.

It is the responsibility of the team on offense to advance the ball towardsthe offensive end; it is not necessary for the team to shoot the ball.

Wasting time shall be called consistently throughout the game.Perimeter fouls (ordinary and exclusion) must be called consistentlythroughout the game.

Team Not Ready to StartSECTION 19. To fail to be ready to start at the beginning of the period.The ball will be awarded to the opposing team at the half-distanceline.

RULE 20-18/ORDINARY FOULS5 6



E n f o r c e m e n tSECTION 1. It shall be an exclusion foul to commit any of the followingoffenses (Rule 21-4 to Rule 21-18), which shall be punished (except asotherwise provided by the rules) by the award of a free throw to theopposing team and the exclusion of the player who committed the foul.

Method of Leaving Field of PlaySECTION 2. The excluded player shall move to the reentry area nearestto the player’s own goal line without leaving the water. An excludedplayer who leaves the water (field of play), other than following theentry of a substitute, shall be deemed guilty of an offense under Rule 21-12 (Disrespect).

Notes: An excluded player (including any player excluded under the rules for theremainder of the game) shall remain in the water and move (which may includeswimming underwater) to the reentry position nearest to the player’s own goal line

without interfering with the play. The player may swim from the field of play at any point on the goal line and may swim behind the goal to reach the reentry area pro-vided the player does not interfere with the alignment of the goal.

On reaching the reentry area, the excluded player shall be required to visibly riseto the surface of the water before the player (or a substitute) shall be permitted toreenter in accordance with the rules. However, it shall not be necessary for theexcluded player to then remain in the reentry area to await the arrival of an intend-ed substitute.

If no player or an incorrect player(s) leaves the field of play, the referee immedi-ately should correct the situation if a goal has not been scored. The referee shouldstop play quickly, allow the incorrect player(s) to reenter, exclude the correct play-er(s), instruct both timers to reset both clocks and commence play. In this case, theincorrect player does not have to swim to the reentry area before reentering the fieldof play. If it is not possible to reset the game clock, the referee should instruct the game timer to start the clock when the correct number of seconds has elapsed on the35-second clock.

RULE 21

Exclusion Fouls

5 7



5 8 RULE 21-2/EXCLUSION FOULS

Interpretation: If an excluded player climbs from the side of the pool instead of swim-ming to the reentry area, that player is excluded for the remainder of the game with sub-stitution after the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3. If the excluded player doesnot go to the reentry area, however, the substitute may not reenter until after a timeout,

a goal or at the start of the next period.Interpretation: If a player who has received a third personal foul or a game exclusionleaves the water to go to the reentry area, no additional penalty is assessed and the sub-stitute will be allowed to reenter at the appropriate time. If the excluded player does notgo into the reentry area, however, the substitute may not reenter until after a timeout, agoal or at the start of the next period.

R e e n t r ySECTION 3. The excluded player or a substitute shall be permitted toreenter the field of play after the earliest occurrence of one of the follow-ing:

a . When 20 seconds of actual play have elapsed, at which time the secre-tary shall raise the appropriate flag provided that the excluded playerhas reached the reentry area in accordance with the rules;

b . When a goal has been scored;

c . When the excluded player’s team has retaken possession of the ball(which means receiving control of the ball) during actual play, at whichtime the defensive referee shall signal reentry by a hand signal;

d . When the excluded player’s team is awarded a free throw or goal throw.The referee’s signal to award the throw qualifies as the reentry signal,provided that the excluded player has reached the reentry area in accor-dance with the rules.

Note: If a player has not yet reached the reentry area when the referee signals achange in possession, the player must still exit the pool into the reentry area beforecoming back in and participating in the play.

The excluded player or a substitute shall be permitted to reenter the fieldof play from the reentry area nearest to that player’s own goal line, provid-

ed that:a . The player has received a signal from the secretary or a referee;

b . The player shall not jump or push off from the side or wall of the poolor field of play;

c . The player shall not affect the alignment of the goal; and

d . A substitute shall not be permitted to enter in the place of an excludedplayer until that player has reached the reentry area nearest to the play-er’s own goal line.



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After a goal has been scored an excluded player or a substitute may reen-ter the field of play from any place.

These provisions shall also apply to the entry of a substitute when the

excluded player has received three personal fouls or has otherwise beenexcluded from the remainder of the game in accordance with the rules.

Notes: A substitute shall not be signaled in by a referee and nor shall the secretarysignal the expiration of 20 seconds exclusion period until the excluded player hasreached the reentry area nearest to the player’s own goal line. This shall also applyto the reentry of a substitute who is to replace a player excluded from the remain-der of the game. In the event of an excluded player failing to return to the reentryarea, a substitute shall not be permitted to enter until a goal has been scored or atthe end of a period.

The primary responsibility for giving the signal for the reentry of an excluded player or a substitute is with the defensive referee. However, the attack referee mayalso assist in this regard and the signal of either referee shall be valid. If a refereesuspects an improper reentry, then the referee should first be satisfied that the otherreferee or secretary had not signaled the reentry.

Before giving the signal for the reentry of an excluded player or a substitute, thedefensive referee should wait momentarily in case the attack referee whistles torestore possession to the opponent’s team.

A change of possession does not occur merely because of the end of a period, but

an excluded player or substitute shall be eligible to reenter if the team wins the ballat the swim up at the start of the next period. If a player is excluded when the endof a period is signaled, the referees and the secretary shall ensure that the teams havethe correct number of players before signaling for the restart.

Interpretation: The reentry flag shall not be raised unless the player is eligible to reenterthe pool. For example, the flag is not to be raised until the excluded player is in the reen-try area or if the player in the reentry area is not eligibleto play (e.g., if the excluded play-er has three personal fouls).

Interpretation: In order to determine when an excluded player is allowed to start the nextperiod: if a shot is taken at the end of the period and the ball goes out of bounds, not

touched by a defensive player, the teams start even up at the beginning of the next peri-od. In all other cases, the excluded player or substitute must remain in the reentry areaat the start of the next period. In principle, if the ball would have been awarded to thedefending team if there were time remaining on the clock, then the teams start even. Ifthe ball would not necessarily have been awarded to the defending team, then the teamwith the excluded player starts with a player in the reentry area. For example, if a ball istipped out of bounds by the defending team, that team starts the sprint with a player inthe reentry area. If the goalkeeper catches the ball on a shot (or rebound from a shot)immediately after the signal for the end of the period, then the teams start even.

Interpretation: A personal foul is charged to a player, not a position. If a goalkeeper isexcluded for 20 seconds, a substitute wearing a goalkeeper’s cap may be substituted for

RULE 21-3/EXCLUSION FOULS



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an exiting field player during that exclusion period during a timeout or between periodsor by means of a live-time substitution from the reentry area. This substitute goalkeeperwill have all the goalkeeper’s privileges.

Leaving Water

SECTION 4. For a player to leave the water or sit or stand on the steps orside of the pool during play, except in the case of accident, injury, illnessor with the permission of a referee.

Interfering With ThrowsSECTION 5. To interfere with the taking of a free throw, goal throw orcorner throw, including:

a . Intentionally to throw away or fail to release the ball to prevent the nor-mal progress of the game or

b . Any attempt to play the ball before it has left the hand of the thrower.Notes: A player is not to be penalized under this rule if the player does not hear thewhistle as a result of being under the water. The referees must determine if theactions of the player are intentional.

Interference with a throw may take place indirectly when the ball is hampered,delayed or prevented from reaching the player who is to take the throw, or it mayoccur when the execution of the throw is interfered with by an opponent blockingthe direction of the throw (Fig. 13) or by disturbing the actual movement of the

thrower (Fig. 14). For interference with a penalty throw, see also Rule 21-17.Interpretation: If the defensive player puts a hand up that is away from the thrower(this hand must be behind the defensive player’s head), it is not considered to beblocking the direction of the throw.

Splashing IntentionallySECTION 6. To splash in the face of an opponent intentionally.

Notes: Splashing is frequently used as an unfair tactic but is often only penalizedin theobvious situation when players are facingone another (see Fig. 15). However,




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it can also occur less obviously when a player produces a curtain of water with anarm, seemingly without deliberate intent, in an attempt to block the view of theopponent who is about to shoot at goal or to make a pass.

The punishment for intentionally splashing an opponent is exclusion under Rule21-6 or a penalty throw under Rule 22-2 if the opponent is inside the 4-meter areaand is attempting to shoot at goal. Whether to award a penalty throw or an exclu-sion is decided solely by the positioning and actions of the attacking player; whetherthe offending player is inside the 4-meter area or outside is not a decisive factor.

Holding, Sinking, Pulling Back SECTION 7. To hold, sink or pull back an opponent who is not holdingthe ball. “Holding” is lifting, carrying or touching the ball, but does notinclude dribbling the ball.

Note: The correct application of this rule is very important both as to the presenta-tion of the game and in arriving at a proper and fair result. The wording of the ruleis clear and explicit and can only be interpreted in one way: to hold (Fig. 16), sink(Fig. 17) or pull back (Fig. 18) an opponent who is not holding the ball is an exclu-sion foul. It is essential that referees apply this rule correctly, without personal arbi-


Fig. 15

Fig. 16

Fig. 18

Fig. 17



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trary interpretation, to ensure that the proper limits to rough play are not exceed-ed. In addition, referees must note that an infringement of Rule 21-7 within the 4-meter area which prevents a probable goal must be punished by the award of a

penalty throw.Kicking or StrikingSECTION 8. To kick or strike an opponent intentionally or make dispro-portionate movements with that intent.

Notes: The offense of kicking or striking can take a number of different forms,including being committed by a player in possession of the ball or by an opposing player; possession of the ball is not a decisive factor. What is important is the actionof the offending player, including if the player makes disproportionate movementsin an attempt to kick or strike, even if the player fails to make contact.

One of the most serious acts of striking is elbowing backwards (Fig. 19), whichcan result in serious injury to the opponent. Similarly, serious injury can occurwhen a player intentionally heads back into the face of an opponent who is markingthe player closely. In these circumstances, the referee would also be justified in pun-ishing the offense under Rule 21-10 (Brutality) rather than under Rule 21-8.

M i s c o n d u c tSECTION 9. To have committed misconduct, including the use ofobscene, abusive, threatening language or gestures directed at anyindividual, excluding the referees or game officials, violent or persis-tent foul play, etc. Taunting, baiting or ridiculing an opponent areexamples of misconduct. The offending player shall be excluded fromthe remainder of the game, with substitution after the earliest occurrencereferred to in Rule 21-3. See 21-12 for disrespect directed at referees orgame officials and the penalty for misconduct and disrespect.

Note: Persistent foul play refers to play which is unacceptable within the spirit of the rules and which is likely to bring the game into disrepute. Persistent foul playis entirely different and unrelated to “persisting in an ordinary foul”.


Fig. 19



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B r u t a l i t ySECTION 10. To commit an act of brutality (including kicking or strikingor attempting to kick or strike with malicious intent) against an oppo-

nent or official, whether during play (including any stoppages or time-outs) or the intervals between periods of play. The offending playershall be excluded from the remainder of the game and a penalty throwawarded with substitution after the earliest occurrence referred to inRule 21-3. The player committing the act of brutality will also be sus-pended for the next traditional season game, including tournamentcompetition or postseason championship competition. If the act ofbrutality was committed during the final game of the traditional sea-son, the suspension will be carried over to the next traditional season

game.Note: In the last minute of the game, the referees may delay declaring a brutalityoffense until the next change of possession.

This rule shall also apply if an act of brutality occurs during the intervals between periods. The offending player shall be excluded from theremainder of the game and a penalty throw awarded, with substitutionafter the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3. These provisionsshall not apply, however, before the game has actually commenced.

In the case of brutality at any time by a substitute who is not in the water

during the play, the offending player shall be excluded from the remainderof the game. The captain of the team shall be ordered to remove from thewater a player of the captain’s choice and a penalty throw awarded, withsubstitution after the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3. Theplayer who has been removed can subsequently be used during theremainder of the game as one of that team’s remaining players in the waterand no personal foul shall be awarded in relation to that player’s removalfrom the water.

If the act of brutality occurs during a tournament, the tournament com-

mittee may assess an additional penalty, such as suspension from morethan one game in the tournament. See Rule 7-4 for definition of type ofgame in which a suspension for brutality must be served.

F i g h t i n gSECTION 11. To engage in fighting. If, in the opinion of the referee,any brutality foul is deemed to be a fight, the fighting penalty shall beinvoked in addition to the brutality penalty. Fighting could include,but not be limited to, an attempt to strike an opponent with the arms,hands, legs or feet, or a combative action by one or more players, a




6 4

coach or team personnel. Combative action includes but is not limitedto: (1) a player, coach or other team personnel attempting to punch orkick an opponent, whether or not there is contact with an opponent; (2)

a player, coach or other team personnel who, in the opinion of the ref-eree, instigates a fight by perpetrating an unsporting act towards anopponent that causes the opponent to retaliate by fighting.

Any squad member, coach or other team personnel who participates ina fight during the season (including exhibition games) or leaves thebench area during a fight shall be assessed a brutality foul and the fight-ing penalty. The individual shall be suspended from participating in theteam’s next game, including tournament competition (see Rule 7-4 for thelocation where the offending parties must sit during the remainder of

that game, and the definition of type of game inwhich a suspension mustbe served). If an individual participates in a fight during the team’s finalgame of the season, that individual shall be suspended from participat-ing in the team’s next regular-season game for which that player orcoach,or other team personnel, would be eligible. Any player, coach or otherteam personnel under suspension for fighting may not sit on the teambench during either the remainder of that game or while serving the sus-pension. An individual (player, coach or team official) suspended forfighting may sit in the spectator stands during the game at which the sus-

pension is being served but may not communicate with the team by anymethod. It is the responsibility of the institutions and their respectiveconference offices to ensure that the carryover penalties (i.e., suspension)for fighting and brutality are invoked.

D i s r e s p e c tSECTION 12. To refuse obedience to or show disrespect for a referee orofficial. The offending player shall be excluded from the remainder of thegame, with substitution after the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule21-3. A referee shall have the power to order any player from the water

for disrespect and misconduct and to issue a red card should a playerrefuse to leave the water when so ordered. The referee has the abilityto abandon the game if a player continues to refuse to leave the waterwhen so ordered.

Notes: The penalty for disrespect, no matter when committed, and the penalty formisconduct are the same.

a . If a player on a team in possession of the ball (or soon to have possession of theball as that team has just been scored upon) commits a foul of disrespect or mis-




6 5

conduct during a timeout or after a goal has been scored, the player is excluded for the remainder of the game with immediate substitution.Interpretation: Under normal circumstances the attacking team always has 7 players.

b . If a player on a team not in possession of the ball commits a foul of disrespect ormisconduct during a timeout or after a goal has been scored, the player isexcluded for the remainder of the game and play is restarted with a substitutein the reentry area.

c . If a player commits a foul of disrespect or misconduct during the time between periods, the player is excluded for the remainder of the game and the sprint istaken with the teams at full strength.

d . If a player of either team commits a foul of disrespect or misconduct during play

or the time between the calling of a foul and the taking of a free throw, the play-er is excluded for the remainder of the game, the ball is awarded to the offendedteam, and play is restarted with a substitute in the reentry area.

A 20-second period of exclusion will be awarded for minor acts of dis-respect that are not sufficient to warrant exclusion for the remainder ofthe game. Examples of this type of foul include a player directing minorcomments to a referee such as, “Call the foul,” or “Where is the push-off?” or “He’s inside the two,” or making minor gestures to the referee.The referee must notify the secretary and coaches when a player commits

a minor act of disrespect and this foul must be identified as such on thescore sheet. The referee will signal this foul (see Fig. Y) by the use of ahalf rolling motion with one arm, as opposed to the use of two arms foran exclusion foul where the player is excluded for the remainder of thegame with immediate substitution. The player will be removed for theremainder of the game if that player commits a second minor act of dis-respect during the game. Notes a-d above also applicable to minor actsof disrespect as follows:

a . If a player on a team in possession of the ball (or soon to have pos-

session of the ball as that team has just been scored upon) commits aminor act of disrespect during a timeout or after a goal has beenscored, the player is excluded for 20 seconds, charged with a personalfoul, with immediate substitution and the teams start even up. Thatplayer can return later to the game.Interpretation: Under normal circumstances the attacking team always has 7 players.

b . If a player on a team not in possession of the ball commits a minor actof disrespect during a timeout or aftera goal has been scored, the play-er is excluded for 20 seconds, charged with a personal foul, and the




6 6

team starts play a man down with that player or a substitute in thereentry area until the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3.

c . If a player commits a minor act of disrespect during the time between

periods, the player committing the minor act of disrespect is chargedwith a personal foul, must be removed for 20 seconds and replaced bya substitute. That player can return later to the game. The sprint istaken with the teams at full strength.

d . If a player of either team commits a minor act of disrespect duringplay or the time between the calling of a foul and the taking of a freethrow, the player is excluded for 20 seconds, charged with a personalfoul, the team starts play a man down with that player or a substitutein the reentry area until the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule

2 1 - 3 .

Dead-Time FoulSECTION 13. For a player of the team not in possession of the ball tocommit any of the following offenses before a free throw, goal throw,corner throw or penalty throw is taken or for a player of either team tocommit any of the following offenses before a neutral throw is taken:

Rule 20-9 - To impede an opponentRule 20-10 - To push or push of from an opponent

Rule 21-4 to Rule 21-12 - To commit an exclusion foulThe original throw (including any neutral throw) shall be maintained.The player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game where therules so provide.

Double Dead-Time FoulSECTION 14. For a player of each team to commit any of the followingoffenses simultaneously before a free throw, goal throw, corner throw,penalty throw or neutral throw is taken:

Rule 20-9 - To impede an opponent

Rule 20-10 - To push or push of from an opponentRule 21-4 to Rule 21-12 - To commit an exclusion foulBoth players shall be excluded and a neutral throw awarded except that

if the offenses are committed simultaneously at the taking of a penaltythrow, the penalty throw shall be maintained. Players shall be excludedfrom the remainder of the game where the rules so provide.

Notes: In the circumstances of this rule, a change of possession is deemed not tohave occurred merely because one team gains possession of the ball from the neu-tral throw. The players excluded under this rule shall not be permitted to reenter




6 7

until the next earliest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3 following the neutralt h r o w .

However, this only applies to the two players who were excluded simultaneous-

ly and any other players who were already excluded shall be permitted to reenter if the neutral throw results in a change of possession.If the two players who have been excluded under this rule are eligible to reenter

before they have reached their respective reentry areas, the defensive referee or sec-retary, as appropriate, may wave in each player as soon as that player is readyto reenter. The referee or secretary does not have to wait until both players areready to reenter.

Offensive Exclusion FoulsSection 15. For a player of the team in possession to commit an offense

under Rule 21-4 to Rule 21-12 (exclusion fouls) before a free throw, goalthrow, corner throw or penalty throw is taken, except that:

a . The player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game where therules so provide;

b . If the offense is committed at the taking of a penalty throw, the penaltythrow shall be maintained.

Entering Field of Play ImproperlySECTION 16. For an excluded player to reenter or a substitute to enterthe field of play improperly, including:

a . Without having received a signal from the secretary or referee;

b . From any place other than that player’s own reentry area, except wherethe rules provide for immediate substitution;

c . By jumping or pushing off from the side or wall of the pool or field ofplay; or

d . By affecting the alignment of the goal.

If this offense occurs in the last minute of the game, the last minute of thesecond period of extra time or at any time during any sudden-death over-time period, the offending player shall be excluded from the remainder ofthe game, with substitution after the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule21-3, and a penalty throw awarded to the opposing team.

Note: It shall be an improper reentry if an excluded player reenters or a substituteenters without having received the referee’s signal, even if the referee should have given the signal earlier.




6 8

Interference With Penalty ThrowSECTION 17. To interfere with the taking of a penalty throw. The offend-ing player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game with sub-

stitution after the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3 and thepenalty throw shall be maintained or re-taken as appropriate.

Note: The most common form of interference with a penalty throw is when an oppo-nent aims a kick at the player taking the throw, just as the throw is about to betaken. It is essential for the referees to ensure that all players are at least 2 meters from the thrower, to prevent such interference taking place. The referee should alsoallow the defending team the first right to take position.

Failure to Take Position on Goal LineSECTION 18. For the defending goalkeeper to fail to take up the correctposition on the goal line at the taking of a penalty throw having beenordered once to do so by the referee. Another defending player may takethe position of the goalkeeper but without the goalkeeper’s privileges orlimitations.

Simultaneous Personal FoulsSECTION 19. When a player of each team commits an exclusion foul ora penalty foul simultaneously during actual play, both players shall beexcluded and a neutral throw awarded.

Note: See also notes to Rule 21-14.Commencement of Exclusion PeriodSECTION 20. When a player is excluded, the exclusion period shall com-mence immediately when the ball has left the hand of the player takingthe free throw or when the ball has been touched following a neutralthrow.

Interfering with PlaySECTION 21. If an excluded player intentionally interferes with play,

including affecting the alignment of the goal, a penalty throw shall beawarded to the opposing team and a further personal foul awardedagainst the excluded player. If the excluded player does not commenceleaving the field of play almost immediately, the referee may deem thisto be intentional interference under this rule.

Continuation of Exclusion Into OvertimeSECTION 22. In the event of the game continuing into extra time, theexclusion period of any excluded player shall also continue into the extratime. Personal fouls awarded during the periods of normal time shall




6 9

also carry forward into extra time and any player excluded under therules from the remainder of the game shall not be permitted to take partin any periods of extra time.




When AwardedSECTION 1. It shall be a penalty foul to commit any of the followingoffenses (Rule 22-2 to Rule 22-9), which shall be punished by the awardof a penalty throw to the opposing team.

Within 4-Meter Area to Prevent GoalSECTION 2. For a defending player to commit any foul within the 4-meter area but for which a goal would probably have resulted.

Notes: In addition to other offenses preventing a probable goal, it is an offense with-in the meaning of this rule:

a . For a goalkeeper or other defending player to pull down or otherwise displace the goal (Fig. 20);

b . For a defending player to play the ball with two hands (Fig. 21);

c . For a defending player to play the ball with a clenched fist (Fig. 22);

d . For a goalkeeper or other defending player to take the ball under the water when

tackled; or

RULE 22

Penalty Fouls

Fig. 20 Fig. 21

Fig. 22

70



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e . For the goalkeeper to push off the wall in an attempt to block a shot (if the ball goes into the goal, the goal is scored. If the shot is blocked, a penalty throw shall be awarded).

It is important to note that while the fouls described above, and other fouls such

as holding, pulling back, impeding, etc., would normally be punished by a freethrow (and exclusion if appropriate), they become penalty fouls if committed with-in the 4-meter area by a defending player if a probable goal would otherwise havebeen scored.

Kicking or Striking Within 4-Meter Area, Brutality or FightingSECTION 3. For a defending player within the 4-meter area to kick orstrike an opponent, to commit an act of brutality or to engage in a fight.

Notes: If a player commits an act of brutality either inside or outside the4-meter area, a penalty throw is awarded and the player excluded for the

remainder of the game. See Rule 21-10 for additional penalties. In the caseof a double-brutality foul committed during live time or dead time, both players are excluded for the remainder of the game (with substitution) anda penalty throw awarded each team. The first penalty shot shall be takenby the team in possession of the ball at the time of stoppage. If either penalty shot is scored, the substitutes may enter at the conclusion of thesecond penalty shot. Otherwise, the substitutes are out until the earliest occurrence of one of the events described in Rule 21-3. A neutral throw at the half-distance line shall be held after the second penalty throw.

If a player engages in a fight, either inside or outside the 4-meter area, penalty throw(s) are awarded. See Rule 21-11 for additional penalties. If Team A has the ball and four players from Team A and six players fromTeam B leave the bench to enter the pool to engage in a fight while the gameis in progress, each player engaging in a fight is charged with the fighting penalty. Each of the 10 players shall be excluded for the remainder of the game with substitution, and from the next game. Team A shall be award-ed six penalty throws; Team B four penalty throws. The teams shoot penal-ty shots in alternate succession at their opponent’s goal, beginning with

Team A, the team in possession of the ball at the time of the stoppage, andconcluding with the team awarded the greater number of penalty shots. Any member(s) of a team, with the exception of the fight participants, maytake the penalty shots in any sequence. If at least one of the penalty shotsis scored, the substitutes for the players in the water who were removed for the game may then enter before play resumes. If a penalty shot is not scored, the players shall be excluded until the earliest occurrence of one of the events described in Rule 21-3 and a neutral throw held at the half-dis-

RULE 22-2/PENALTY FOULS



7 2

tance line after the last penalty throw. If a fight occurs immediately after the conclusion of a game, each player involved in the fight shall be suspended from the next game. Penalty shots shall not be awarded in this sit-uation. If a fight occurs immediately after the conclusion of regulation play, the game ending in a tie, penalty shots are awarded according to therule after the conclusion of the fourth period. The first overtime periodstarts with a sprint. If a penalty shot is not scored, the substitute playersshall be excluded until the earliest occurrence of one of the events describedin Rule 21-3.

Excluded Player Interfering With PlaySECTION 4. For an excluded player intentionally to interfere with play,including affecting the alignment of the goal.

Pulling Over Goal

SECTION 5. For a goalkeeper or any other defending player to pull overthe goal completely with the object of preventing a probable goal. Theoffending player shall also be excluded from the remainder of the game,with substitution after the earliest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3.

Reentering Improperly to Prevent GoalSECTION 6. For an excluded player to reenter or a substitute to enter thefield of play improperly prior to or at the expiration of an exclusion peri-od with the object of preventing a goal. The offending player shall alsoleave the field of play to complete any of the original exclusion periodremaining, if appropriate.

Note: In the circumstances of this rule, if the attacking team is in a position to shootat goal, the referee shall wait to see if a goal is scored before stopping the play. If a goal is scored, the penalty throw is not awarded, but a personal foul is recordedagainst the offending player. If a goal is not scored, the referee shall then immedi-ately award a penalty throw in accordance with this rule.

Reentering Improperly During Last MinuteSECTION 7. For an excluded player to reenter or a substitute to enter the

field of play improperly during the last minute of the game, the lastminute of the second period of any extra time or at any time during anysudden-death overtime period. The offending player shall also beexcluded from the remainder of the game, with substitution after the ear-liest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3.

Player Not Entitled to Participate Entering Field of PlaySECTION 8. For a player or substitute who is not entitled under the rulesto participate in the play at that time to enter the field of play. The




7 3

offending player shall also be excluded from the remainder of the gamewith substitution, where appropriate, after the earliest occurrencereferred to in Rule 21-3. This rule shall not apply to an excluded playerwho reenters or a substitute who enters the field of play before the earli-est occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3.

Notes: A penalty throw is awarded if a player with three personal fouls reenters thewater illegally while the ball is in play (see exception in Rule 5-1).

If an excluded player and a substitute both enter after the earliest occurrencereferred to in Rule 21-3, whichever player entered last shall be the player to be penalized under this rule. If both players enter simultaneously, it shall be the sub-stitute who is to be penalized.

Team Official Preventing GoalSECTION 9. For a team official to take any action to prevent a probable

goal, except that no personal foul shall be recorded for this offense.Deliberate Act Causing the Award of a Penalty FoulSECTION 10. Any intentional act in violation of Rule 22-4 to Rule 22-9committed during the last minute of the game or during the lastminute of the second overtime period in order to give the team withthe lead a penalty shot (such as an excluded player intentionally inter-fering with play, a goalkeeper or other defending player pulling overthe goal, an excluded player deliberately reentering improperly duringthe last minute, a player not entitled to participate deliberately enter-ing the field of play by jumping into the water, for example, from thebench area during play, or a team official deliberately attempting toprevent a goal) will result in the team shooting the penalty shot gettingthe ball back at the half-distance line whether the penalty shot is madeor missed.

Interpretation: During the penalty shot attempt, the players on the team taking thepenalty shot (except the player taking the penalty shot) shall line up in their half ofthe field of play, as is done after a goal. The players on the defensive team shall beoutside the seven-meter line during the penalty shot attempt.




Players Eligible to Take ThrowSECTION 1. A penalty throw shall be taken by any player of the team towhich it is awarded, except the goalkeeper, from any point on the oppo-nents’ 4-meter line.

Position of Other Players and GoalkeeperSECTION 2. All players shall leave the 4-meter area and shall be at least2 meters from the player taking the throw. On each side of the player tak-ing the throw, one player of the defending team shall have the first rightto take position. With floating goals, the defending goalkeeper shall bepositioned between the goal posts with no part of the goalkeeper’s body beyond the goal line at water level. With wall goals, the defending goal-keeper must assume a position with hips on the goal line. Should thegoalkeeper be out of the water, another player may take the position ofthe goalkeeper but without the goalkeeper’s privileges and limitations.

Referee Signal

SECTION 3. When the referee controlling the taking of the throw is sat-isfied that the players are in their correct positions the referee shall sig-nal for the throw to be taken, by whistle and by simultaneously loweringthe arm from a vertical to a horizontal position.

Note: The lowering of the arm at the same time as the signal by whistle makes it possible under any conditions, even amidst noise by spectators, to execute the throwin accordance with the rules. As the arm is lifted, the player taking the throw willconcentrate, for the player knows that the signal will follow immediately.

How TakenSECTION 4. The player taking the penalty throw shall have possessionof the ball and shall immediately throw it with an uninterrupted move-ment directly at the goal. The player may take the throw by lifting the ball from the water (Fig. 23) or with the ball held in the raised hand (Fig.24) and the ball may be taken backwards from the direction of the goalin preparation for the forward throw, provided that the continuity of the

RULE 23

Penalty Thro w s

74



7 5

movement shall not be interrupted before the ball leaves the thrower’shand.

Note: There is nothing in the rules to prevent a player taking the throw with the player’s back to the goal while the player adopts a half screw or full screw action.

Rebounding BallSECTION 5. If the ball rebounds from the goal post, crossbar or goal-keeper it remains in play and it shall not be necessary for another playerto play or touch the ball before a goal can be scored.

Extension of TimeSECTION 6. If at precisely the same time as the referee awards a penal-ty throw the timekeeper whistles for the end of a period, all playersexcept the player taking the throw and the defending goalkeeper shallleave the water before the penalty throw is taken. In this situation, the ball shall immediately be dead should it rebound into play from the goalpost, crossbar or the goalkeeper.

RULE 23-4/PENALTY THROWS

Fig. 23 Fig. 24



When Awarded

SECTION 1. A personal foul shall be recorded against any player whocommits an exclusion foul or penalty foul. The referee shall indicate theoffending player’s cap number to the secretary.

Exclusion After Three Personal Fouls

SECTION 2. Upon receiving a third personal foul, a player shall beexcluded from the remainder of the game with substitution after the ear-liest occurrence referred to in Rule 21-3. If the third personal foul is apenalty foul, the entry of the substitute shall be immediate.

RULE 24

Personal Fouls

76



Player Leaving WaterSECTION 1. A player shall only be allowed to leave the water, or sit orstand on the steps or side of the pool during play in the case of accident,injury, illness or with the permission of a referee. A player who has leftthe water legitimately may reenter from the reentry area nearest the

player’s own goal line at an appropriate stoppage, with the permissionof a referee.

B l e e d i n gSECTION 2. If a player is bleeding, the referee shall immediately orderthe player out of the water with the immediate entry of a substitute andthe game shall continue without interruption. After the bleeding hasstopped, the player is permitted to be a substitute in the ordinary courseof the game.

Note: Aggressive treatment of open wounds or skin lesions should be fol-lowed. Whenever a player suffers a laceration or wound where oozing or bleeding occurs, the practice or game should be stopped at the earliest pos-sible time, and the player should leave the field of play and be given appropriate medical treatment. No timeout is charged and the player may returnto the game after the bleeding has stopped.

Accident, Injury, Extenuating CircumstancesSECTION 3. If case of accident, injury or extenuating circumstances, atthe discretion of the referee, the game may be stopped and the injured

player replaced immediately or the incident addressed. No timeout ischarged and the injured player may return to the game at a later time.Should a goalkeeper retire from the game for any medical reason, thereferees shall allow an immediate substitution, subject to one of theplayers taking the goalkeeper’s cap.

RULE 25

Accident, Injury andI l l n e s s

7 7



Return of Ball Into PlaySECTION 4. Should the game be stopped through accident, illness, bleeding or other unforeseen reason, the team in possession of the ball atthe time of the stoppage shall put the ball into play at the place of stop-

page when the play is resumed.

RULE 25-4/ACCIDENT, INJURY AND ILLNESS7 8



Appendix A

I n s t ructions for the Use

of Two Refere e s

1 . The referees are in absolute control of the game and shall have equalpowers to declare fouls and penalties. Differences of opinion of the ref-erees shall not serve as a basis for protest or appeal.

2 . The committee or organization appointing the referees shall have powerto designate the side of the pool from which each referee shall officiate.Referees shall change sides of the pool before the start of any periodwhen the teams do not change ends. Referees do not change sides dur-ing the game if one coach has requested that the teams change endsand benches each period.

Note: Whenever possible, the referees shall position themselves on oppositesides of the playing field. If the two sides of the pool are parallel and donot have significant obstructions, each referee shall referee to the right. If this is not possible, due to obstruction(s) on the side(s) of the pool, each ref-

eree shall referee to the left. If the pool configuration is such that both ref-erees must be on the same side of the pool, the referee to the right of thescoring table shall referee to the right; the referee to the left of the scoring table shall referee to the left. If the pool is L-shaped, the referees shall be onopposite sides of the playing area. Each referee shall referee to the right (or left, depending on the pool configuration).3 . At the start of the game and of each period, the starting signal shall be

given by the referee on the same side as the official table.4 . After a goal, the signal to restart shall be given by the referee who was

controlling the attacking situation when the goal was scored. Beforerestarting, the referees shall ensure that any substitutions have beenc o m p l e t e d .

Note: Both referees have the responsibility to determine if the coaches wishto substitute after a goal, although the primary responsibility is that of thereferee on the side of the pool opposite the scoring table.

79



80 APPENDIX A

5 . Each referee shall have the power to declare fouls in any part of thefield of play but each referee shall give primary attention to the offen-sive situation attacking the goal to the referee’s right. The referee notcontrolling the attacking situation (the defensive referee) shall maintaina position no closer to the goal being attacked than that player of theattacking team furthest back from the goal.

Note: If the attack referee is within the 4-meter line, the defensive refereemust move down the pool to the 7-meter line in order to determine if a player is eligible to shoot a free throw. In this instance, the defensive refer-ee must also watch the players remaining behind in the defensive referee’sa r e a .

6 . When awarding a free throw, goal throw or corner throw, the refereemaking the decision shall blow the whistle and both referees shall indi-

cate the direction of the attack, to enable players in different parts of thepool to see quickly which team has been awarded the throw. The ref-eree making the decision shall point to where the throw is to be takenif the ball is not at that position. Referees shall use the signals set out inAppendix B to indicate the nature of the fouls which they are penaliz-i n g .

7 . The signal for a penalty throw to be taken shall be made by the attackreferee, except that a player who wishes to take the throw with the lefthand may request the defensive referee to make the signal.

8 . When simultaneous free throws are awarded by both referees to thesame team, the award shall go to the player awarded the throw by theattack referee.

9 . When simultaneous awards are made for ordinary fouls but for oppos-ing teams, the award shall be a neutral throw, to be taken by the attackr e f e r e e .

1 0 . When one referee awards an exclusion foul and at the same momentthe other referee awards a penalty foul but for opposing teams, boththe offending players shall be excluded and a neutral throw awarded.

1 1 . When simultaneous awards are made by both referees and one is foran ordinary foul and the other is for an exclusion foul or penalty foul,the exclusion foul or penalty foul award shall be applied.

1 2 . When players of both teams commit an exclusion foul simultaneously,whether during actual play or dead time, the offending players shall be excluded and a neutral throw awarded.



81APPENDIX A

1 3 . In the event of simultaneous awards of penalty throws to both teams,the first throw shall be taken by the team last in possession of the ball.After the second penalty throw has been taken, the game shall berestarted with a neutral throw on the half-distance line.

1 4 . When simultaneous calls are made by both referees for personalfouls on the same team, both players shall receive a personal foul;also, the proper penalty shall be assessed to each.

1 5 . Both referees have the responsibility to observe that the game clockand the 35-second clock are being properly administered, althoughthe primary responsibility is that of the defensive referee. If a visiblemistake is made on the game clock/35-second clock, the defensive ref-eree shall correct the mistake immediately.

1 6 . Both referees have the responsibility to signal a change in direction ofattack during an exclusion and are encouraged to wave in the exclud-ed player with the other hand, although the primary responsibility isthat of the defensive referee.

1 7 . Both referees have the responsibility to determine if the substitutionfrom the reentry area of one player for another player occurs correctlywhile play is in progress, although the primary responsibility is thatof the defensive referee.

1 8 . Both referees have the responsibility to determine if a player is eligibleto shoot a free throw outside the 7-meter line, although the primaryresponsibility is that of the defensive referee; however, if the line ofattack has not progressed past the 7-meter line, the attack referee hasthis responsibility.



Fig. A. The referee lowers the arm from a vertical position to signal (i) thestart of the period, (ii) the restart after a goal and (iii) the taking of a penal-ty throw.

Fig. B. To point with one arm in the direction of the attack and to use theother arm to indicate the place where the ball is to be put into play at a freethrow, goal throw or corner throw.

Fig. C. To signal a neutral throw. The referee points to the place where theneutral throw has been awarded, points both thumbs up and calls for the b a l l .

Fig. D. To signal the exclusion of a player. The referee points to the playerand then moves the arm quickly towards the boundary of the field of play.The referee then signals the excluded player’s cap number so that it is visible to the field of play and the table. After the ball is put into play, the ref-eree shall call out the cap color and number of the offending player to thescoring table.

Appendix B

Signals To Be UsedBy Off i c i a l s

82



83APPENDIX B

Fig. E. To signal the simultaneous exclusion of two players. The refereepoints with both hands to the two players, signals their exclusion in accor-dance with Fig. D, and then immediately signals the players’ cap numbers.After the ball is put into play, the referee shall call out the cap colors andnumbers of the offending players to the scoring table.

Fig. F. To signal the exclusion of a player with substitution. The referee sig-nals exclusion in accordance with Fig. D (or Fig. E if appropriate) and then

rotates both hands round one another in such a way that is visible to boththe field of play and the table. The referee then signals the excluded play-er’s cap number to the table. The referee also must notify the scorer of thisr u l i n g .

Fig. G. To signal the award of a penalty throw. The referee raises one armwith four fingers in the air. The referee then signals the offending player’scap number to the table. The referee shall also call out the cap color andnumber of the offending player to the scoring table.

Fig. H. To signal that a goal has been scored. The referee signals by whistle

and by immediately pointing to the center of the field of play. The refereeshall call out the cap color and number of the player scoring the goal tothe scoring table.

Fig. I. To indicate the exclusion foul of holding an opponent. The refereemakes a motion holding the wrist of one hand with the other hand.



84

Fig. J. To indicate the exclusion foul of sinking an opponent. The refereemakes a downward motion with both hands starting from a horizontalp o s i t i o n .

Fig. K. To indicate the exclusion foul of pulling back an opponent. The ref-eree makes a pulling motion with both hands vertically extended andpulling towards the referee’s body.

Fig. L. To indicate the exclusion foul of kicking an opponent. The refereemakes a kicking movement.

Fig. M. To indicate the exclusion foul of striking an opponent. The refereemakes a striking motion with a closed fist starting from a horizontal posi-t i o n .

APPENDIX B

Fig. N. To indicate the ordinary foul of pushing or pushing off from anopponent. The referee makes a pushing motion away from the referee’s body starting from a horizontal position.



85

Fig. O. To indicate the ordinary foul of impeding an opponent. The refereemakes a crossing motion with one hand horizontally crossing the other.

Fig. P. To indicate the ordinary foul of taking the ball under the water. The

referee makes a downward motion with the hand starting from a horizon-tal position.

Fig. Q. To indicate the ordinary foul of standing on the bottom of the pool.The referee raises and lowers one foot.

APPENDIX B

Fig. R. To indicate the ordinary foul of undue delay in the taking of a freethrow, goal throw or corner throw. The referee raises one hand once ortwice with the palm turned upwards.

Fig. S. To indicate a violation of the 2-meter rule. The referee indicates thenumber 2 by raising the fore and middle fingers in the air with the arm ver-tically extended.

Fig. T. To indicate the ordinary fouls of wasting time and expiration of 35seconds’ possession. The referee moves the hand in a circular motion twoor three times.

Fig. U. By a goal judge to signal for the start of a period by raising one armv e r t i c a l l y .



86 APPENDIX B

Fig. V. By a goal judge to signal an improperstart by raising both arms vertically.

Fig. W. To indicate a player’s cap number. Toenable the referee to communicate better withthe players and the secretary, signals are madeusing both hands if appropriate where thenumber exceeds five. One hand shows five fin-gers with the other hand showing additionalfingers to make up the sum of the player’s

number. For the number 10, a clenched fist isshown. If the number exceeds 10, one hand isshown as a clenched fist with the other handshowing additional fingers to make up the sumof the player’s number.

Fig. X. To indicate a television timeout. The ref-eree shall blow the whistle and extend eacharm straight out to the side.

Fig. Y. To signal a minor act of disrespect byusing a half rolling motion with one arm sothat it is visible to the other players, coachesand scoring table. The referee must signal theoffending player’s cap number to the playersin the water and to the table. After the ball isput in play, the referee must also notify thesecretary and coaches verbally of the capnumbers and of this ruling of a minor act of

d i s r e s p e c t .

Fig. Y



1. Tournament Game Length: Each tournament game must be playedaccording to the time factors described in Rules 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 and 12-1. Special modification of the play of the game in a tournament shall

not be permitted.2. Tournament Rest Period: Unless there is a prior agreement, a teaminvolved in a tournament shall have a rest period of at least two hoursbetween the completion of one game and start of the next game.

3. Tournament Play: The following system may be used when groupround-robin is played to determine advancement of teams and thetournament champion.a. Two points shall be awarded for a win and zero points for a loss.

A game shall not end in a tie. Games played in the first and second

rounds shall not be repeated; the scores and the points from theprevious game between two advancing teams shall be used in thenext round.

b. If two teams have equal points, advancement and/or the winner ofthe tournament shall be determined in the following manner:Precedence shall be given to the team winning the game playedagainst the other.

c. The following procedures are to be followed if more than twoteams are tied in points. In a three-team bracket, if three teams are

tied in points, advancement and/or the winner of the tournamentshall be determined in the following manner:

(1) Precedence shall be given to the team with the largest goal dif-ference, i.e., the team with the largest difference between goalsscored for and against shall be given precedence. For example,if the goal difference between three teams tied in points is +4, 0,and -2, that is the order of finish of the three teams.

Appendix C

Tournament Advancement

87



88

Note: A team involved in a goal-difference situation that forfeitsa game or has incurred a “no contest,” cannot advance by meansof the forfeit or “no contest.”

If when this rule is applied, a three-way tie is broken but twoteams remain tied in goal differences, then precedence shall begiven to the team winning the game they have played againstone another.

(2) In the event of goal difference being equal for all three teams,the team having scored the highest number of goals shall begiven precedence. For example, if the number of goals scored bythe three teams tied in goal difference is 14, 10, and 8 goals,respectively, that is the order of finish of the three teams.

If when the rule is applied, a three-way tie is broken but twoteams remain tied in the total goals scored, then precedenceshall be given to the team winning the game they have playedagainst one another.

(3) In the event of further equality among all three teams, the tieshall be resolved by each team shooting six penalty shots at theopponents’ team, in alternate succession, three against eachteam. (Team A shoots a penalty shot followed by Teams B and

C.) The teams shall draw lots to determine the order of thepenalty shots.) If a tie still exists, additional sets of six penaltyshots shall be awarded in the same manner until the tie is bro-ken. Any member(s) of a team may shoot penalty shots in anysequence. The penalty shot procedure shall commence one-halfhour after the completion of the final game in the affectedround.

d. In a bracket containing four or more teams, if more than two teamsare tied in points, advancement and/or the winner of the tourna-

ment shall be determined in the following manner:(1) Precedence shall be given to the team with the largest goal dif-

ference, i.e., the team with the largest difference between goalsscored for and against in games involving only those teams tiedin points shall be given precedence. For example, if the goal dif-ference between three teams tied in points is +4, 0, and -2, thatis the order of finish of the three teams.

APPENDIX C



89APPENDIX C

Note: A team involved in a goal-difference situation that forfeitsa game or has incurred a “no contest,” cannot advance by meansof the forfeit or “no contest.”

If when this rule is applied, a three-way tie is broken but twoteams remain tied in goal differences, then precedence shall begiven to the team winning the game they have played againstone another.

(2) In the event of goal difference being equal for all teams tied inpoints, the team having scored the highest number of goals ingames involving only those teams tied in points shall be givenprecedence. For example, if the number of goals scored by thethree teams tied in goal difference is 14, 10, and 8 goals, respec-

tively, that is the order of finish of the three teams.

If when this rule is applied, a tie is broken but two teamsremain tied in total goals scored, then precedence shall be givento the team winning the game they have played against oneanother.

(3) In the event of further equality, the tie shall be resolved as in3-c-(3).

4. Tournament Option: Tournament directors may select the following

option for determining the advancement of teams and the winner ofthe tournament in group round-robin tournaments, if teams haveequal points.

a. If two teams have equal points, precedence shall be given to theteam winning the game played against the other.

b. If more than two teams are tied in points, the tie shall be resolvedas in 3-c-(3).



R u l e S e c . P a g eAbandonment of game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6 2 7A c c i d e n t

s u b s t i t u t i o n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 3 7 7return of ball into play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 4 7 8

Advancement of teams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7Advantage rule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3 2 6A p p a r e l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 4 2 1Assistant coach

p o s i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 2 0powers if head coach removed . . 7 4 2 6

Assisting teammate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 3 5 1

B a l ld e s c r i b e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 1 6hitting with clenched fist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 7 5 2in play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 2 4 5leaving field of play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3 2 9n u m b e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 1 6out of bounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 6 5 5s i z e—m e n ’ s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 1 6s i z e—w o m e n ’ s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4 1 6thrown in corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0thrown to advantage one team. . . 1 3 4 4 0u n d e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 6 5 1under signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4w e i g h t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 1 6

B l e e d i n g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 2 7 7B r u t a l i t y

by a reserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 0 6 3

d e f i n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 0 6 3delayed call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 0 6 3d o u b l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1during a tournament. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 0 6 3p u n i s h m e n t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 0 6 3within four-meter area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1

C a psb a t h i n g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5 1 8c o l o r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 1 7coming off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 1 7ear guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 1 7g o a l k e e p e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 1 7lack of adherence to rules. . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 1 8

n u m b e r s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4 1 8p i p i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 1 7q u a r t e r i n g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 1 7s t r i p e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 1 7

C a p t a i n sd e s i g n a t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 3 2 1discussions with referee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1

C a r d s—red and yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6C l o c k s

descending time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 4 3 4resetting game clock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9

R u l e S e c . P a g eresetting 35-second clock. . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0

2 0 1 7 5 5starting, stopping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 035-second location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1 2

C o a c h. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p o s i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 2 0coach-referee discussions. . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1

Coin tossat start of game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 1 4 0before sudden-death overtime. . . . 1 1 3 3 4

Corner throwhow taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 2 4 7position of players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 3 4 7reset 35-second clock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 7 5 5r e t a k i n g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 4 4 7signal for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 2 9

8 2when taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 1 4 7

Dead-time fould e f e n s i v e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 3 6 6o f f e n s i v e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 1 5 4

Desk error. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9D i s r e s p e c t

after goal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 2 6 4by player on team with the ball . . . 2 1 1 2 6 4by player on team without

the ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 2 6 4d e f i n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 2 6 4during interval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 2 6 4minor act of disrespect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 2 6 4red card for refusal to leave

w a t e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 2 6 4Double foul

b r u t a l i t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1during dead time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 4 6 6during live time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 9 6 8before neutral throw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 4 6 6before penalty throw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 4 6 6

Ear guardsc o l o r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 1 7r e q u i r e m e n t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 1 7

Elbowing backward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 8 6 2E n d s

change of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 2 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 2 3 4

coin toss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 3 3 41 3 1 4 0

o v e r t i m e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 2 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 3 3 4

E x c l u s i o ncommencement of time for. . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 0 6 8

Index to Rules

90



91INDEX TO RULES

R u l e S e c . P a g econtinuation into overtime. . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 2 6 8excluded player leaving water . . . . 2 1 2 5 7improper reentry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 6 6 7incorrect player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 5 7method of leaving water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 5 7method of reentry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8

of goalkeeper--substitution. . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8of offensive player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 5 6 7of player leaving water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 4 6 0penalty for leaving water. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 5 7reentry area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 1 4reentry--when allowed at end of

p e r i o d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8secretary duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 3 2signal for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2t i m e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8

Face-off (neutral throw) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 1 4 8Field of Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 2

d i a g r a m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3

l e a v i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3 2 9F i g h t i n gd e f i n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 1 6 3p e n a l t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 1 6 3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1F i s t—c l e n c h e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 7 5 2F l a gs

s e c r e t a r y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 1 4Forfeited game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 6 3 5F o u l s

e x c l u s i o n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 5 7not counted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9offensive dead-time foul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 1 5 4o r d i n a r y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 5 1

p e n a l t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 1 7 0p e r s o n a l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 1 7 6simultaneous personal fouls. . . . . . . 2 1 1 9 6 8third foul not signaled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9third-foul signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 3 2

Four-meter line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 1 4Free throw

d e l a y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 2 4 52 0 1 4 5 5

how taken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 4 5 0interference with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 5 6 0responsibility for return of ball . . . . . 1 9 3 5 1s i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1shot on free throw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 3 4 2time allowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 2 5 0where taken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 1 5 0

G a mea b a n d o n m e n t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6 2 7length of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1 3 4t i e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 3 3 4

G o alb a c k i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 5dimensions of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 5p o s i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 1 5

R u l e S e c . P a g epulling over goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 5 7 2requirement for net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 5s p a c e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 5wall goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 5

Goal judgeb a l l s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3 2 9

d u t i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 2 9line up teams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 2 9l o c a t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1 2 9s i g n a l s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 2 9

8 5 , 8 6space for 1 8 1 4

Goal linem a r k i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 1 4minimum distance to wall. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 1 2

Goal scoredat expiration of time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 4 4 2ball in own goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 5 4 3by goalkeeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 3 4 1d e f i n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 1 4 1direct shot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 3 4 1how scored. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 3 4 1scored on free throw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 3 4 1signal for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2when counted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 5 4 3when not counted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 6 4 3Goal space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 5Goal throw

how taken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 2 4 5signal for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 2 9

8 1when awarded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 1 4 5

G o a l k e e p e rbeyond half-distance line. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 5 5 5c a p s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 1 7failure to take position in penalty

t h r o w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 8 6 8neutral throw exclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 2 4 8p r i v i l e g e s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 5 5 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 7 5 2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 8 5 2privileges of substitute

g o a l k e e p e r 2 1 3 5 8r e s t r i c t i o n s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 2 4 1

2 0 1 5 5 5substitution when excluded. . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8

Half-distance line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 1 4

H a l f t i m e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 2 3 4H o l d i n g

hold, sink, pull back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 7 6 1s i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2the ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 9 5 2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 7 6 1

I m p e d ed e f i n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 9 5 2



92 INDEX TO RULES

R u l e S e c . P a g es i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4

I n j u r y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 3 7 7return of ball into play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 4 7 8

I n t e r f e r e n c eby excluded player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 1 6 8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 4 7 2

with free throw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 5 6 0Interval between period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 2 3 4J e w e l r y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 2

Kicking or striking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 8 6 2

s i g n a l s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4within 4-meter area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1

Leaving the field of play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3 2 9

Minor act of disrespect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 2 6 5s i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6

M i s c o n d u c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 9 6 2

N a i l si n s p e c t i o n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1

p e n a l t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1Neutral throwat start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 4 4 0change of possession from. . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 4 6 6goalkeeper excluded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 2 4 8how taken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 2 4 8signal for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2when awarded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 1 4 8when retaken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 3 4 9

No contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 5 3 5O b s e r v e r s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3Offensive dead-time foul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 1 5 4O f f i c i a ls

d u t i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3

l i s t e d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3location with two referees . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 2location with one referee. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 1 2n u m b e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3space for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 1 4television liaison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 8 3 8

Ordinary fould e f i n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 5 1e n f o r c e m e n t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 5 1

Out of boundsd e f i n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 1 2retrieving ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3 2 9sending ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 6 5 5

O v e r t i m e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 3 3 4Penalty fould e l a y e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 6 7 2for brutality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1for deliberate act in last minute. . . 2 2 1 0 7 3for entry of player with three

personal fouls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 8 7 2for excluded player interfering

with play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 1 6 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 4 7 2

for fighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1for foul within four-meter area. . . . . 2 2 2 7 0for kicking or striking within

four-meter area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 7 1

R u l e S e c . P a g efor improper reentry in last

m i n u t e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 6 6 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 7 7 2

for player not entitled toparticipate to enter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 8 7 2

for pulling over goal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 5 7 2

for reentering to prevent goal . . . . . 2 2 6 7 2for team official to prevent goal . . 2 2 9 7 3when awarded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 1 7 0

Penalty throwdeliberate act in last minute. . . . . . . . 2 2 1 0 7 3double dead-time foul before. . . . . . 2 1 1 4 6 6eligibility to take throw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 7 4extension of time for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 6 7 5failure to take correctly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 3 5 4goalkeeper fails to take position. 2 1 1 8 6 8how taken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 4 7 4interference with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 7 6 8position of goalkeeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 2 7 4position of other players. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 1 0 7 3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 2 7 4rebounding ball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 5 7 5s i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 3 7 4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3timeout before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6

Personal fouls i m u l t a n e o u s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 9 6 8t h i r d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 2 7 6when awarded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 1 7 6

P l a y e rexcluded not leaving water. . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 5 7excluded player refusing to

leave water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6excluded player interfering

with play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 1 6 8e x t r a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9i l l e g a l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9less than seven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9leaving by mistake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2 5 7leaving water without

p e r m i s s i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 4 6 0leaving water with permission. . . . . 2 5 1 7 7not visibly red-flagged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9number of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9positions at start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 2 4 0substances on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1u n i f o r m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 4 2 1

P o old i a g r a m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3d i m e n s i o n s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 1 2m a r k e r s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 1 4off the bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 5 5 1pushing off from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 4 5 1removal from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5 2 7t e m p e r a t u r e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 1 4

P o s s e s s i o nof ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 7 5 5signal for change of possession . 2 1 3 5 8t i m e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0

Pregame meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1



93INDEX TO RULES

R u l e S e c . P a g eP r o t e s t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2 2 4Pulling back signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4Pushing or pushing off

from opponent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 0 5 4from pool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 4 5 1s i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4

Red card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .if player refused to leave water . . 7 4 2 6red card not removed if reset

c l o c k s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 1 9when issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6location where coach with red

card sits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6location where player with red

card sits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6

Red flagplayer not visibly red-flagged. . . . . . 5 1 1 9when used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 3 2

R e e n t r yafter leaving with permission . . . . . . 2 5 1 7 7a r e a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 1 4excluded player after goal. . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8excluded player at end of period 2 1 3 5 8i m p r o p e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 6 6 7improper in last minute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 6 6 7

2 2 7 7 2improper to prevent goal. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 6 7 2m e t h o d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8

R e f e r eeabandonment of game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6 2 7advantage rule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3 2 6a u t h o r i t y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 2 5

change of sides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9changing decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 2 5control over conduct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6d i s a g r e e m e n t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 2 5discussions with captain . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6discussions with coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6duties without goal judges . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3inspection of players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1i n s t r u c t i o n s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9i n t e r a c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 2 5

j u r i s d i c t i o n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 2 5major responsibility area. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9position during game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9reentry excluded player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 3 2

removal from pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5 2 7s i g n a l s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2s p a c e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 1 4u n i f o r m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 2 5

Running-time games. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1 3 4

S c o r e r—d u t i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 3 2Secretary No. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3

1 0 3 2Secretary No. 2 (exclusion). . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3

1 0 3 2Seven-meter line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 1 4S i g n a l s

R u l e S e c . P a g eGoal judge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 2 9

Sinking signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4S p l a s h i n g

i n t e n t i o n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 6 6 0penalty for inside 4-meter area. . . 2 1 6 6 0

S t a l l i n g

d e f i n e d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 8 5 5Standing on bottom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 5 5 1S t a r t i n g

after goal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 4 4after timeout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 3 7e a r l y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 2 5 1g a m e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 2 - 3 4 0not ready to start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 9 5 6s i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2

Starting time—late for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 5 3 5Substances on body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 2 1S u b s t i t u t i on

during temporary stopage of play 5 6 2 2during timeout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 7 2 2

of goalkeeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 9 2 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 5 8

for excluded player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6 2 1for injured goalkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 0 2 2method of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6 - 7 2 1responsibility for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1when allowed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6 - 7 2 1while play is in progress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6 2 1without delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8 2 2

S u s p e n s i o nfor fighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 1 6 4for red card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6when served. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6where served. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 7

T a u n t i n gexclusion foul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 9 6 2

Team area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 2 0Team bench. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 2 0Television timeout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 8 3 8

signal for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6T i m e

must shoot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 7 5 5w a s t i n g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 8 5 5w a s t i n g - - s i g n a l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 5

T i m e k e e p e r sg a m e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0

35-second clock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 0signal end of period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2 3 1

T i m e o u t sadditional by defensive team. . . . . . 1 2 5 3 8additional by offensive team. . . . . . . 1 2 4 3 7after goal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6before penalty throw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6defensive team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6d u r a t i o n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6excluded player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 3 7failure to restart promptly. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 3 7how called. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6number allowed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6position of players during

t i m e o u t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 6



94 INDEX TO RULES

R u l e S e c . P a g eposition of coach

during 20-second timeout . . . . . . . 1 2 7 3 8position of players after timeout. . 1 2 6 3 8s h o r t e n i n g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 6s i g n a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6starting after. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 3 7

t e l e v i s i o n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 8 3 8t e l e v i s i o n - - s i g n a l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6timed by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2 3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 3 020-second timeout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 7 3 8use of air horn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6visible display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6when called . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 3 6when neither team

has possession. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 5 3 8

R u l e S e c . P a g eTo u r n a m e n ts

a d v a n c e m e n t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7game length. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7rest period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7o p t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7

Two hands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 8 5 2

Two-meter line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 1 4i n s i d e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 2 5 4W a r n i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6Wasting time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1 8 5 5Won-lost record

forfeited game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 6 3 5no contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 5 3 5

W o u n d streatment of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 2 7 7

Yellow card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 2 6



p r o v i d i n

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m m i t t e d

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2004 water polo rules

Documents