How To Watch The Game Of Water Polo

 

Water Polo can be a confusing game for spectators. The whistle is constantly blowing and the play never stops, even when someone is ejected for a penalty. In addition, there are several misconceptions about the game, including how the players keep their horses swimming. Well hang In there, because the following information should help to make the picture much clearer.

          

 

General Information

 

  1. Each team has six field players and a goalie.
  2. Field players can only use one hand to touch the ball, goalies two.
  3. The game consists of four, six-minute quarters.
  4. The object of the game is to score. Players may move the ball by swimming or passing.
  5. Each goal is worth one point.
  6. The clock will not stop in the second half if the difference in score between opponents is eight or more points.

 

Fouls

 

When an infraction of the rules occurs, the referee will hold up the flag of the team receiving possession of the ball and blow his whistle. The ball is put back into play with an action called a free throw. This means the player gets three seconds of free time to throw the ball to another teammate or swim it up the pool. The player cannot shoot the ball. After three seconds is up, the defense can go after the ball. If the player does not put the ball into play within three seconds, the other team takes possession.

 

Types of Fouls

 

Fouls can be ordinary or major. Ordinary fouls are best understood as minor fouls. For example, a defender may reach over an opponent's back to get the ball while he is facing away from the goal. The penalty for an ordinary foul is a free throw for the opposing team.

 

Major fouls are more severe and are penalized accordingly. For example, when a defender fouls his opponent too aggressively, or from behind when his opponent is facing the goal, the defender is ejected for 20 seconds (players may re-enter if their team recovers the ball before the ejection time is up, or if the opposing team scores.) If the foul occurs within four meters of the goal, the opposition shoots a penalty shot. Major fouls can also occur through disrespect to the referee or when a player interferes with his opponent's free throw.

 

Players may only receive three major fouls before being eliminated from the game.           

 

Confused?

 

If all this has you totally confused, just sit back and enjoy the game. The easiest way to follow the play is by watching the scoreboard. If your team is ahead at the end, great! If not, well consider that you have expanded your horizons. After the game is over, you will at least be able to explain to your friends that horses never ever get wet.