BASIC DIAGRAMS OF FOULS

Water Polo is a sport where Fouls can be a useful tool to gain advantage. However, whenever one team has the advantage, the other has the disadvantage. Learning when to foul, and what foul you should commit is a skill learned over time. Below is a breif description of the fouls and how the referee will call them.

Important Rules:
1. Players can touch the ball with only ONE HAND
2. Players cannot stand on the bottom of the pool.
3. Players are allowed only TWO major fouls during a game. On the third, the player is ejected.
4. If a defender interferes with a free throw, it is a MAJOR foul (ejection).

.

Examples of Minor Fouls:

1. When a player pushes off the side of the pool (or the bottom).
2. A "False Start" at the beginning of play.
3. Holding the ball under water (even if the defensive player is holding their arm down)
4. Touching the ball with two hands.
5. Hitting the arm or body of an offensive player who has the ball:
6. Hitting the ball with a clenched fist.
7. Pushing off of a defensive player:
8. When a player is within 2 meters of their opponent's goal w/o the ball. (This is considered off-sides).
9. When the player throws the ball out of bounds.
10. If the team keeps the ball for more than 35 seconds (the length of the shot clock) without taking a shot on goal.

Examples of Major Fouls:

1. If the offensive player intentionally comes in contact with the defensive player:
2. Holding on to the offensive player:
3. Interfering with a free throw:
4. Pulling back on a player:
5. Sinking a player:
6. Misconduct (foul language, etc.)
7. Leaving the ejection area illegally.

A common form of impeding is where the player swims across his opponent’s legs (figure 7 below), Another form is swimming on the opponent’s shoulders. It must also be remembered that the foul of impeding can be committed by the player who is in possession of the ball. For example, (figure 8) shows a player keeping one hand on the ball and trying to force his opponent away.(Figure 9) shows a player in possession of the ball impeding his opponent by pushing him back with his head. (Figure 10) shows a player intentionally blocking his opponent with his body and with his arms.

Back to top