1-
History & Object
2- The Essentials (Offense
& Defense, Scoring, Etc.)
3- Fouls
4- Field
Diagram and Positions
5- Glossary
of Water Polo Terms
The Essentials
Game
Length
A
game of water polo is divided
into four seven-minute quarters.
A game clock counts down the
time left in each quarter. A
shot clock, which starts at
35 seconds, counts down the
time that the offense has to
shoot the ball on each possession.
Both clocks stop immediately
following a foul and do not
start until the ball is put
back into play. With the clock
constantly stopping, and with
the breaks between quarters,
you can expect a water polo
game to last over an hour.
Start
of the game
At
the beginning of each quarter,
each team lines up on the goal
line. Once the referee blows
the whistle to signal the start
of each quarter, the players
sprint towards mid-pool, where
the referee drops the ball.
Whoever wins the sprint is the
first to be on offense.
Offense
and Defense
Players
advance by swimming and passing
the ball. With the exception
of the goalie, they can only
touch the ball with one hand
at a time. Most offenses organize
themselves into a similar configuration
each time they prepare to score
a goal (see diagram). The offense
surrounds the hole-set, who
is positioned directly in front
of the opponents goal.
Perimeter players, also known
as drivers, try to take a shot
at the goal or attempt a wet-pass
into the hole-seta
strategy called setting the
hole. The hole-set shoots the
ball if given the opportunity,
but is often strategically fouled
by the hole-guard, who chooses
to foul the hole-set and force
a free-pass, rather than allow
him to shoot the ball. Immediately
following a foul, there are
three seconds of dead-time,
in which the fouled player must
put the ball in play. During
dead-time, perimeter players
drive
towards the goal to either
become available to take a shot,
or draw a foul,
which results in the defenders
exclusion from the game for
20 seconds. During the 20 second
exclusion, the offensive team
is in a power
play that creates a
high probability for scoring.
Scoring
A
goal is scored once the ball
completely passes over the goal
line. If a goal is scored, the
teams line up mid-pool and the
non-scoring team takes possession
of the ball.
Counter-attack
and transition
The
counter-attack is the transition
between when the defensive team
obtains possession of the ball
and when it sets up its offense
in front of its opponents
goal. During the counterattack,
the goalkeeper looks for an
outlet
to an open player downfield
who either runs a fast break
or sets up the offense.
Equipment
There
is minimal equipment in water
polo. Players wear swimsuits
and caps. Additionally, there
is a yellow ball and several
goals. The womens ball
is slightly smaller than the
mens ball.
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