FINA, the world governing body for aquatic sports and water polo, has proposed a number of water polo rule changes, with the intention to speed up the game and make it more attractive for new players and spectators.
- A goal may be scored from a free throw taken and awarded outside 6 meters after fake or dribble or putting the ball on the water.
- Inside the 6m area, when a player is swimming with and/or is holding the ball and is impeded (attacked) from behind during an attempt to shoot, a penalty foul must be awarded. (NOTE: unless only the ball is touched by the defender)
- A player taking a corner throw may;
- shoot directly,
and after putting the ball in play;
b) swim and shoot without passing or
c) pass to another player
- An ADDITIONAL Substitution Re-entry area will be at any place in between the goal line and the centre field line on the teams half of field of play (for flying substitutions).
(Note: an excluded player or the substitute must always re-enter via the re-entry box in the corner)
- A free throw shall be taken from the location of the ball, except a) 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 to where the foul was committed.
- New hand signal to be used by the referee to point with one hand in the air to indicate that the foul was outside the 6m. This rule is applied only in unclear situations around 6m line.
- The goal keeper is allowed to move beyond and touch the ball past the half distance line.
- The marker for taking a penalty throw at the side lines on both sides of the field of play must be in RED.
Please refer to the KWPA FINA Rule Changes here for further clarifications and explanations on the new rules.
The FINA Water Polo Rules 2019 - 2021 can also be found here.
Please ensure that these rules changes are passed down to all members and all referees become familiar with the adjusted format. Although every effort will be made to ensure the implementation of the rule changes is as smooth as possible, we ask that patience is shown by both players and referees during the early stages of the season.
