Intro Water Polo
What is WATER POLO?
Australia’s only team sport in the water!
Water polo is a competitive team sport played in water between two teams of seven players each. The game consists of four quarters in which the two teams attempt to score goals by throwing the ball into the opposing team's goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins the match. Each team is made up of six field players and one goalkeeper. Excluding the goalkeeper, players participate in both offensive and defensive roles. Water polo is typically played in an all-deep pool so that players cannot touch the bottom.
A game of water polo mainly consists of the players swimming to move about the pool, treading water (mainly using the eggbeater kick), passing the ball, and shooting at the goal. Teamwork, tactical thinking and awareness are also highly important aspects in a game of water polo. Water polo is a highly physical and demanding sport and has frequently been cited as one of the most difficult sports to play.
Special equipment for water polo includes a water polo ball, a ball of varying colours which floats on the water; numbered and coloured caps; and two goals, which either float in the water or are attached to the sides of the pool.
The game is thought to have originated in Scotland in the mid-19th century; the game developed in the 1870s as a sort of "water rugby". The game has since expanded, becoming popular in parts of Europe, the United States, Brazil, China, Canada and Australia.
Olympic Gold: With a crowd of 17,000 watching the gold medal match at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the Australians and the Americans battled in a final which went undecided until the last few seconds. The Americans had opened up a one-goal lead in the first and second quarter before the Australians levelled the match at two all after three quarters.
In the final quarter the match was level until the final two minutes when Naomi Castle gave the Australians the lead with a goal at a player advantage. The U.S. tied the match at three all with only 13 seconds left in the match as the Americans took the advantage of a foul by the Australians. In the final seconds, a foul was called on the U.S., and with 1.3 seconds left on the clock, the Australians scored the match winning goal from Yvette Higgins to give Australia not only the win but their first gold medal in women's water polo. While this is the Olympics, games all across the nation in all age groups and divisions often come down to nail biting finishes. Something that makes Water Polo one of the most exciting sports to spectate.
(image curtesy of https://www.olympics.com.au/sports/water-polo/)
Can anyone play?
Just about anyone can play Water Polo. Confidence in water is essential due to the nature of playing in a deep pool however there are modified versions such as Flippaball for very young participants. In Junior Water Polo some rules are modified, as is the size of the field, goals and ball.
Basics things to know;
Length of Game
The duration of a game of water polo is four eight minute periods. Time commences at the start of each period and the clock is stopped throughout the game during stoppages with time resuming once the ball is put back in the field of play either by a player taking the appropriate throw or when the ball is touched by a player following a neutral throw.
For juniors the duration can be 4 x 6 minute running time (clock does not stop for stoppages) for U12, 4 x 5 minute actual quarters U14, 4 x 6 minute actual quarters U16+. A blow up goal may be used for U12's W 2.5m x H 0.8m (inside measurements). A standard goal of W 3.0m x H 0.9m (inside measurements) is used for all other age groups. A size 3 ball is used for U12, size 4 for U14 Boys and all girls U14+ including women, size 5 is used by men U16+
Starting the Game
At the start of each period players take up positions on their respective goal lines about one metre apart and no closer than one metre from the goal posts. A referee will blow the whistle to start the game and then release a ball into play in the middle of the pool.
Time Outs
Each team may request two timeouts in any game. An additional time out, in addition to any time outs not used during ordinary play may be requested during extra time. A timeout is one minute in duration and may be requested at any time and the game is immediately stopped. *Time outs often do not occur in junior games except in medal matches at championships.
Scoring a Goal
A goal is scored when the entire ball passes full over the goal line, between the goal posts and underneath the cross bar. A goal may be scored from anywhere within the field of play, however, the goal keeper may not touch the ball beyond the half way mark. A goal may be scored by any part of the body except a clenched fist.
Team Changes and Substitutions
Each team consists of seven players (including a goal keeper), and not more than six reserves who may be used as substitutes. All players not in the game at the time sit on the team bench situated on the side of the pool. At any time in the game a player may be substituted by leaving the field of play with the exception of when a referee awards a penalty.
Fouls & Free Throws
There are several different types of fouls which the referee will not permit including; ordinary fouls, exclusion fouls, penalty fouls, and personal fouls. In the event of a foul the referee may award a free throw or penalty throw.
(image curtesy of https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/527976756288211680/)
What positions are in Water Polo?
Offense
The offensive positions include:
One centre forward (also called a "set", "hole-set", "centre", "setter", "hole", or "2-meter man", located on or near the 2-meter, roughly in the centre of the goal), Two wings (located on or near the 2-meter, just outside of the goal posts, respectively),
Two drivers (also called "flats", located on or near the 5-meter, roughly at the goal posts, respectively),
One "point" (usually just behind the 5 meter, roughly in the centre of the goal, respectively), positioned farthest from the goal.
The wings, drivers and point are often called the perimeter players; while the hole-set directs play.
Additionally, the position in which a player is can give advantages based on a player's handedness, to improve a shooting or passing angle (for example, the right wing is often left handed).
The centre sets up in front of the opposing team's goalie and scores the most individually.
Wings effectively shoot from outside and Driver's penetrate and then pass to teammates like the point guard in basketball. The centre's position nearest to the goal allows explosive shots from close-range.
Defense
There are no set rules when it comes to what defensive positions the Offensive players move into once the opposition is in possession of the ball. Water Polo is a fast paced sport and there is little time to substitute in a whole new defensive side. In critical points of play, a time out may be called and the coach may then substitute their stronger defensive or offensive players into the match. In Junior water polo defensive positions are often the same, but just switched from offence to defence. However, the centre forward, will become a perimeter player and sit behind the 5 meter line positioned farthest from the goal, while the offensive point player will move near the 2-meter, roughly in the centre of the goal to defend the goal against the opposing teams centre forward and are sometime known as a centre back. Defence can be played man-to-man or in zones, such as a 2–4 (four defenders along the goal line). It can also be played as a combination of the two in what is known as an "M drop" defence.
Zone defence is a type of defence, used in team sports, which is the alternative to man-to-man defence; instead of each player guarding a corresponding player on the other team, each defensive player is given an area (a zone) to cover.
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper has the main role in blocking shots against the goal as well as guiding and informing their defence of imposing threats and gaps in the defence. The goalkeeper usually begins the offensive play by passing the ball across the pool to an attacker. It is not unusual for a goalkeeper to make an assisting pass to a goal on a break away.
The goalkeeper is given several privileges above those of the other players, but only within the five-meter area in front of their own goal:
In general, a foul that would cause an ejection of a field player might bring on a five-metre shot on the goalkeeper. If a goalkeeper pushes the ball under water, the action will not be punished with a turnover like with field players, but with a penalty shot.
Playing PositionsGoal Keeper (GK)
The person playing this position has a vital defensive role while also supporting their teammates when on the offensive attack. For example, in a counter attack, the goal keeper would be responsible for distributing the ball down the pool.
Once a pass is made from the keeper to another player on the team, the keeper will often egg beater to about the 5m mark and be ready for a potential return pass. Goal keepers must always be aware of their position relative to the ball, so being aware of where the ball is even when it is on the other side of the pool is important as the keeper needs to be in the optimal position.
It’s also important for goal keepers to stay engaged in the game as they often have the best vision of the entire pool and play an important role in communicating what they see to their teammates. For example, if there is a player open down the pool that the ball handler does not see, then it is the goalkeeper’s responsibility to yell it out and keep teammates informed and aware.
Centre Forward (CF)
The centre forward position is on the 2m line. The outer positions (such as points, wings and drivers) are responsible for getting the ball into the CF. Balls are usually passed into the CF using a wet pass. There, the CF will either take the ball and shoot or draw a foul. The CF position will usually be played by one person more, as opposed to switching positions, due to the strength and skills required.
Centre Back (CB)
A centre back is a player who defends the CF. The CB’s main aim is to prevent the CF from scoring, often deliberately committing ordinary fouls. The CB may be supported by the other team members by calling a zone or may defend one-on-one in a press situation.
Drivers
These positions do the most swimming and often change positions several times during a single play. Drivers are constantly creating movement by driving down to the goal post and rotating around, or creating screens in order to free teammates of their defenders. Their main job is to get the ball into the CF. Their proximity to the goal and their position relative to the CF make them invaluable components for scoring goals.
Utility
Utility players are those players who are comfortable playing all positions. The utility players are the strongest players in the team, who swap places with other players whenever there is an opportunity to score. Utility players are most effective when they drive in and play CF and quickly score against a defender, who is inexperienced in that position.c
What are the Rules?
FOULS
All fouls result in a change in possession of the ball or a penalty shot if it occurred within 5-meters from the goal. There are minor fouls (one whistle blast from the referee) which results in just a change in possession. A major foul (two whistle blasts) results in the offending player is removed from the game for a 20-seconds, which creates unbalanced situations known as extra player, in close games a time out will often be called at this point by the coach who feels they need to make some adjustments in their offense or a . When possession changes, the offense gets a free throw from the spot of the foul, an unhindered chance to pass the ball to another player within about 3-seconds.
MINOR FOULS
MAJOR FOULS
(image curtesy of https://www.live-production.tv/case-studies/sports/olympic-games-2012-water-polo.html)
Are there modified Rules?
The basic rules of the game are quite simple, for example:
These are the basic rules of the game, which resembles a combination of netball, soccer and basketball but played in the water using water polo rules for the remainder of the game.
***This information was gathered by volunteers and is accurate to the best of their knowledge to offer a base knowledge for those new to water polo, and is not to be taken out of context***
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