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In this blog, we will be taking a closer look at the rules of water polo, covering everything from its history, equipment and strategies of the game.

Water polo is a dynamic and demanding water sport that requires strength, endurance, and skill. It is a combination of swimming, ball handling, and team strategy. Water Polo is often recognised as the toughest sport in the world.

The Basics of Water Polo

Water polo is played in a pool that is typically 25 to 30 meters long and 20 to 25 meters wide. The game is played with seven players on each team. The objective is to score goals by throwing the ball into the opponent’s goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. The players can move the ball by throwing, dribbling, or swimming with the ball.

The History of Water Polo

Water polo originated in England in the late 19th century as a form of rugby played in the water. This led to the establishment of the first official rules in 1887. Today, water polo is a popular sport worldwide and is played at both amateur and professional levels. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) is the governing body of water polo setting international rules of water polo and organises international competitions. The World Championships are held every four years and the World Cup every two years.

The Equipment Needed to play Water Polo

The equipment used in water polo is relatively simple. The most important piece of equipment is the ball, which is made of rubber and designed to be certain weight and buoyancy, to enable it to be dragged underwater but also float when required. These balls can’t be replaced with another sport’s, such as basketballs, due to specific bouyencies needed for a water based game. The best ball to buy is the oringial competition balls as they are expertly made and will last a lifetime, like the W5000 – Mikasa Sports Competition Men’s Water Polo Ball

The players wear a protective swim cap, we recommend this one; EYELINE EYWPCROYAL Individual Water Polo Cap Royal Blue. Goggles (pick polarised to protect your eyes while in the sun and some with a wide field of view; Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored Swim Goggles, Panoramic, Anti-Glare, Anti-Fog with UV Protection) , and a water polo suit. A womens water polo suit is specially designed to provide buoyancy and support while also allowing freedom of movement in the water. A highly durable and value option is the Arena Women’s Waterpolo Fl One Piece Swimsuit. Men get to wear their favourite swimming briefs!

The rules of Water Polo

Before starting a game of water polo, the pool should be properly marked with lines and goal posts. The teams take their positions in the pool, with seven players on each team.

The game starts with a swim off, where the referee throws the ball in the centre of the teams and they race to the ball. The players pass, throw and dribble the ball as they try to score. Players may not touch the bottom of the pool, can only hold the ball with one hand (excluding the goalkeeper) and physical contact is allowed but extremely limited. On top of this a player can hold the ball for only 3 seconds before passing or shooting and teams can only possess the ball for 30 seconds before shooting.

How does a player dribble the ball in the water polo?
The term dribbling the ball is also used in basketball, but in water polo a player does not bounce the ball. A player swims propelling the ball in front. The ball is moved by the waves and is not touched by the player.

Players and Positions of Water Polo

In water polo, there are seven players on each team, divided into different positions. The positions include forwards, centres, and defenders. Each position has specific roles and responsibilities in the pool. The forwards are responsible for scoring goals, the centres for creating opportunities, and the defenders for preventing the opposing team from scoring.

Scoring a Goal

In water polo, points can be scored by throwing the ball into the opponent’s goal. A goal is worth one point. A match is usually played in four quarters of eight minutes each, with a break of two minutes between each quarter.

Committing a Foul

There are several fouls that can be called which are common and used strategically to control the flow of the game. Some common fouls include pushing, holding, and kicking an opponent. If a foul is called, the opposing team is awarded a free throw and the offending player may be excluded from the game for a period of time.

The number of times the referee sounds the whistle and the specific hand gesture used informs players and spectators of the type of foul;

One whistle; minor foul
Two whistles: offensive foul, the ball is passed to the defensive team
Three or more whistles; major foul, the defender is ejected from the game for 20 seconds.

Penalty shots can be awarded if a foul is committed inside the 5-meter area. The player taking the penalty shot must start from outside the 5-meter area.

Winning a Game of Water Polo

To win a game of water polo, a team must score more goals than their opponent. If the game ends in a tie, it will often move to a shoot out. Water polo tournaments and leagues are usually held in different levels, from amateur to professional, and are played by different teams from different countries.


Water polo is without doubt, a physically demanding sport that requires strength, endurance and skill. This is due to the combination of swimming, ball handling, and team strategy. It has a rich history and a passionate fan base, and continues to be enjoyed by players and spectators alike. It is a sport that promotes teamwork and fair play, and is a great way to stay active and healthy. We hope you enjoyed reading a little about the rules of water polo. If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments!

Compare water polo to it’s cousin sport by reading the Rules of Basketball, or check out results and fixtures of water polo games here!