SPOC Water Polo Club

water polo for young and old

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Club Newsletter
    • Governance (Policies and By-Laws)
    • Fundraising
    • Sponsors
  • Come n Try
  • Training Times
    • Fixtures
  • Club News
    • Player Registration
    • Game and Rules Summary
    • YouTube Polo Links
  • Gallery
  • Contact Us

Game and Rules Summary

the_game

The playing area – is typically 30 X 20 meters with a minimum of 2 meters (6 1/2 feet) of depth. However this can vary depending on the pool being played in. The edge of the pool is marked with a red marker (2m line / offside line), yellow marker (5m line / foul line) and white marker (centre line). In the corner of the playing area directly opposite the official’s table is the “player changeover area”. This is normally highlighted by a red box, but depending on the pool this may just be the corner of the playing area. Next to this changeover area on the side is where the rest of team not in the water sit / stand.

Number of players – Each team is allowed 13 players, with seven (a goalkeeper and six field players) participating at any one time. Players tread water the entire game and cannot touch the bottom or sides of the pool. Except for the goalkeeper, players may handle the ball with only one hand.

The timing of the game – is played over four quarters, each quarter being a set time length with intervals between quarters. The timings of the games varies depending on the age group, competition and gender. As in basketball, two clocks are used to time a water polo game. One indicates the time remaining in the quarter and the other, called the “shot clock or 30 second clock”, indicates how much time remains for the offensive team to shoot the ball (the team is allowed 30 seconds to shoot the ball). Note that if the defensive team have a player ejected (sin binned) the shot clock is restarted for the offensive side. This all occurs if a shoot is taken and the offensive team regain position immediately.

Substitutions – are most common after a goal is scored, between periods, or for an ejected player. However players can also substitute at anytime during live play via the “changeover area”. Players must not in these situations dive in to the water or push off the side of the pool!

Physical contact – is the rule rather than the exception, as the players manoeuvre for position in front of the goal and in other parts of the playing area. The referee indicates fouls by blowing a whistle and using hand signals to point out the location of the foul and the attacking direction of the fouled player.

A goal – (1 point) is scored when the ball is thrown or pushed completely past the line of the goal and within the goal.

Starting the game and each quarter – Each quarter is started with the teams lined up on opposite 2m lines. On a signal (whistle) from the referee, the teams sprint toward centre pool where the referee tosses the ball into the water. The team gaining possession of the ball advances it toward its offensive end of the pool by swimming, dribbling or passing the ball. ·

Fouls – There are two types of fouls in water polo — ordinary fouls, which account for approximately 90 percent of the whistles during the game, and major fouls. Players are allowed three major fouls before they foul out of the match. Major fouls include exclusion and penalty fouls.

Main reasons for ordinary fouls include:

· Touching the ball with two hands;
· Taking the ball under water when tackled;
· Impeding an opponent who is not holding the ball;
· Pushing off an opponent; and,
· Stalling (failing to shoot or advance the ball within 35 seconds). This now includes throwing the ball back to the goalkeeper after the same team has moved the ball past the halfway line.

When the referee calls an ordinary foul, the offended team is awarded a free throw at the point of the foul, or behind the point of the foul if the free throw is taken immediately. The offensive team must put the ball in play within three seconds by releasing, swimming or passing the ball. A player cannot shoot the ball on a free throw, unless the foul occurred behind the 5m line / foul line. If the shoot is taken directly from the foul throw the shoot action must be immediate.

Common exclusion fouls include:

· Kicking or striking;
· Deliberate splashing in the face;
· An ordinary foul committed by the defence during dead time (after a foul occurs, but before the offended player has put the ball into play);
· Interfering with a free throw (the defensive player must retreat at least a metre from the player taking the foul throw);
· Misconduct or disrespect to the referee;
· Holding, sinking or pulling back an opponent not holding the ball;
· Having two hands up anywhere in the pool;
· Improper entry during a substitution during live play; and
· Exclusion fouls result in a player being excluded from the game for 20 seconds.

The excluded player (or his/her substitute) may not return until the 20 second exclusion time expires, a goal is scored or a change of possession takes place, whichever occurs first. A player with three major fouls is removed from the game with substitution. Deliberate kicking or striking with intent to injure (brutality) results in ejection of the offending player for the remainder of the game, substitution allowed after 4 minutes. These types of offences will also be reported by the referee and other sanctions may be brought to bear on the individual involved, such as match bans and or fines.

Penalty fouls are committed within the five-metre area where a goal probably would have resulted. The offensive player fouled while in control of the ball and facing the goal inside the five-meter line is usually awarded the penalty throw. A penalty foul is recorded against the player committing the foul. Any player in the game from the offended team can take the penalty throw. The shot is taken from the 5m line, with only the goalie defending.

The award of a penalty throw most commonly occurs in the following situation within the five-meter area:

· Any player, including the goalkeeper, pulling down or pushing away the goal;
· Any player, except the goalkeeper, playing the ball with both hands or a clenched fist;
· The goalkeeper or a defensive player taking the ball underwater;
· When an offensive player in control of the ball and facing the goal is fouled by holding, sinking or pulling back.

This is not the full version of the current Water Polo rules, these can be found on the FINA website (click here) and the SA Waterpolo Bylaws can be on their website (click here).

Training Times

Fixtures

Player Registration

Game and Rules Summary

YouTube Polo Links

Like us on Facebook

Recent Posts

  • Australian Youth Water Polo Championships
  • 2018 WPSA Awards
  • 2018 Annual Awards & AGM
  • A Grade Finals
  • Its on Again!

 

Find us on Team App

spocwaterpolo

🤩 Our 14&U legends are in the grand final tomor 🤩 Our 14&U legends are in the grand final tomorrow afternoon! After finishing top of the ladder during the regular season they are ready to go for gold! 

If you’ve got some time before the awards night tomorrow, head on down to St Peters at 4pm to cheer them on! #gospoccos 🤽🤽🏻‍♂️

#spoc #spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #gosaints #grandfinal #finalsfever #goforgold #waterpolosa
Last chance! Tickets for our end of season event w Last chance! Tickets for our end of season event will close at 5pm tonight! 🙌

https://www.try booking.com/CFWFJ

Can’t wait to see everyone there! 🥳 #gospoccos 

#spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #spoc
Massive effort from our 17s boys last night! Both Massive effort from our 17s boys last night! Both teams put up a great fight but couldn’t quite get the job done. 

🔵 SPOC Blue was up first facing a team that hasn’t dropped a game all season! Was a tough ask but the boys managed their best score against them all year and rallied to win the last quarter 💪 

⚪️ SPOC White had a nailbiter of a game with goals going back and forth for most of it. The boys got the edge in the last half but fell just short of a comeback. 

Well done boys! Proud of all your efforts 🤩🤽🏻‍♂️

#spocwaterpolo #spoc #gospoccos #saintswaterpolo #gosaints #semifinals #waterpolo #waterpolosa
It’s time for our 17&U boys to head into semi-fi It’s time for our 17&U boys to head into semi-finals! 🤽🏻‍♂️🤽🏻‍♂️

Head on down to Adelaide Aquatic Centre tomorrow night and cheer on the guys as they take on Vikings #gospoccos 💪

🔵 SPOC Blue - 7:00pm 
⚪️ SPOC White - 7:45pm 

#spoc #spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #gosaints #semifinals #ytb #waterpolo #waterpolosa
Make sure to get down to the pool tonight for our Make sure to get down to the pool tonight for our final training of the summer season! 🌊🙌

🔵 12s & 14s - 5:30PM 
⚪️ 16s & 18s - 6:30PM 
🔵  Seniors - 7:30PM 

#spocwaterpolo #spoc #saintswaterpolo #gospoccos #gosaints #waterpolo #training
Let’s get behind our junior spoc Beau who is par Let’s get behind our junior spoc Beau who is participating in the Laps for Life fundraiser throughout March! 🙌🤽🏻‍♂️ 

Having known a few people who have struggled with mental health and suicidal thoughts, Beau saw this as a small way he can help them and others have access to the resources to get them through the tough times, with all proceeds going towards @lapsforlife.aus 
So far this legend has swam a total of 48.85km (1642 laps!!), with just over 1km to go to reach his target! 🏊‍♂️🏊‍♂️

Awesome stuff Beau, keep it up! 💪

To see how he’s done or to donate to the cause: https://www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/beauwalsh/laps-for-life 

#lapsforlife #spocwaterpolo #spoc #gospoccos #saintswaterpolo #waterpolosa #waterpolo #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth
🔵🔴🟡 13 & Under State Training Squad Trial 🔵🔴🟡 13 & Under State Training Squad Trials! 🟡🔴🔵

Calling all water polo players born 2010-2012 who would like to trial for the state training squads! 

Trials will be held at Adelaide Aquatic Centre, North Adelaide on: 

Saturday 1st April - 9:00-11:00AM 
Sunday 2nd April - 10:00-12:00PM

Great opportunity to have a go and learn from experienced state coaches! 

Make sure to register to attend: 
www.revolutionise.com.au/wpsa/events

#waterpolosa #waterpolo #spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo
🤩🤽 These incredible girls gave it their abso 🤩🤽 These incredible girls gave it their absolute all tonight. With no subs and missing nearly half of their team, they never gave up and pushed Henley right to the end, unfortunately going down 10-12 in the final minutes.

Shout out to Ari for her awesome effort in goals, and her great penalty shot saves! 💪 

On target shots from Mabel, Emily and Issy really helped the team! And Zoe and Sabela stepped up with some great steals in defence 🙌🙌

Well done again girls! 💙🤍💙

#gospoccos #spoc #spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #gosaints #waterpolo #semifinal #waterpolosa #gameday #ytg
It’s our 17&U Girls turn tonight, playing their It’s our 17&U Girls turn tonight, playing their semi-final against Henley 🤍 

Will be a tough game without some key players, but the girls are ready to give it their all 💪 

Come on down to St Peters tonight at 7pm to show your support! #gospoccos 

#spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #gosaints #spoc #waterpolo #semifinals #ytg #waterpolosa
Our B Grade ladies gave it a good crack, but Vikin Our B Grade ladies gave it a good crack, but Vikings were too strong in the end. 

Great team effort from everyone in the pool. Some incredible saves from Saskia in goals 🤩 And range of goal scorers - Catherine, Lara, Mabel and Jess! 🤽

Awesome effort ladies! #gospoccos 

#spocwaterpolo #spoc #waterpolosa #semifinals #saintswaterpolo
Get behind our B Grade Women as they head into the Get behind our B Grade Women as they head into their semi-final tonight! #gospoccos 

Game is 7pm tonight at AAC if you want to head down and show your support! 🤍💙

#spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #gosaints #spoc #semifinals #waterpolosa
End of season is fast approaching and we want to c End of season is fast approaching and we want to celebrate with you all! 🎉

Players, parents and supporters are welcome to join us for our presentation night on Sunday 2nd April from 6pm at @themaidhotel 

To ensure we can cater for everyone, please make sure to purchase your ticket from our try booking event - https://www.try booking.com/CFWFJ

We will also be looking to hold a fundraising raffle and silent auction. If you or your business have any prizes you would like to contribute, please make sure to get in touch and let us know! 

Can’t wait to see you all there! #gospoccos 💪

#spocwaterpolo #spoc #spoccos #saintswaterpolo #waterpolosa #waterpolo #presentationnight
We’re back! Make sure to head on down to the poo We’re back! Make sure to head on down to the pool tonight for our first training back for 2023! 💙💪 

New players are welcome to try for 3 free sessions! Send us a message if you would like some more info 🤽🏻‍♂️

#spocwp #spoc #spoccos #saintswaterpolo #saints #waterpolo  #comeandtry #haveago
Great work SA! Bronze at the 19&U National Champio Great work SA! Bronze at the 19&U National Championships, well done girls!! 🥉

Special mention to SPOC players Tahlia, Nikki and Saskia 💙
How good are sausage sizzles! The whole club enjoy How good are sausage sizzles! The whole club enjoyed a snag after training last week 💙💙
🔵⚪️ SPOC Sausage Sizzle! ⚪️🔵 Head on 🔵⚪️ SPOC Sausage Sizzle! ⚪️🔵
Head on down to Bunnings Kent Town and support the club by grabbing a sausage or a drink! Look forward to seeing you all there 💪

#spoc #spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #saintswp #gospoccos
🇦🇺 🤽 Awesome work @tahliascipioni on bein 🇦🇺 🤽 Awesome work @tahliascipioni on being selected to represent Australia in the upcoming New Zealand test match series & training camp! 🙌

#gosaints #saintswaterpolo #waterpolosa #gospoccos #spoc
Congratulations to our A Grade Women’s player Ta Congratulations to our A Grade Women’s player Tahlia Scipioni on her selection to the Australian Squad touring USA this month! 

Best of luck girls! 💚💛

#spocwaterpolo #spoccos #waterpolo #saintswaterpolo #gosaints
Awesome effort from our junior SPOC Oliver on bein Awesome effort from our junior SPOC Oliver on being named in the Cadet National Age Group squad! 🇦🇺💪

And a big congratulations to Donovan, Emerson, Michael and Will who also competed at the National State Championships. Well done boys 👏💙

#waterpoloaustralia #waterpoloaus #gospoccos #spoc #spocwaterpolo #saintswaterpolo #gosaints
The National Champs are officially underway for th The National Champs are officially underway for the boys! Good luck to the spoccos representing SA 💪

#gosaints #saintswaterpolo #spocwaterpolo #spoccos #spoc #nationals #waterpoloaustralia #waterpolosa
Load More… Follow on Instagram

All Rights Reserved · Copyright © 2023 ·Eastern Saints Water Polo Club