by Jacob Jenkins

Created on: June 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 24, 2009

Despite evoking occasional rage from players, coaches, and fans or providing an advantage at critical moments, fouls are the necessary backbone of any organized sport. Water Polo has an environment and set of rules that make fouling a common and often strategic part of play. The consequences of a Water Polo foul vary greatly and depend on the severity of the infraction and whether the foul impeded a likely scoring opportunity. Unlike most sports, a game of Water Polo speeds up following most fouls, as players move quickly to gain good position or start the attack.

Minor (Ordinary) Fouls

This is the most common type of foul and typically occurs when a player prevents the free movement of an opposing player without the ball. These fouls are signaled by one short whistle and the referee signaling the spot of the foul and the direction of attack (possession).

Examples of Minor Fouls Include:

Pushing off of an opponent
Holding or blocking any part of the body
Grabbing an opponent's swim suit
Submerging the ball (even if a defender forced the arm under)
Being within 2m of the goal without the ball
Touching the ball with 2 hands (except for the goalie within 5m of his goal)
Touching the bottom or sides of the pool (except for the goalie)
Failing to shoot before the shot clock expires
False Starts
Throwing the ball out of bounds
Delaying (more than 3 seconds) on a free throw
A goalie going past the halfway line
Faking on a 5m Minor Foul Shot

After a minor foul, the player who was fouled is allowed to make an quick free throw (pass) with no fakes and without defensive interference. Players are only allowed to shoot on the goal if they are outside of the 5m line and must do so without any shot fakes. There is no limit to the number of minor fouls allowed in a game, however if a player repeatedly fouls, they may be subject to a 20 second exclusion penalty.

Major (Personal) Fouls

Major fouls are less common and are divided into several different categories of severity. They are signaled by 2 short whistles and the referee signaling the player to leave the playing field, resulting in a man up (6 vs. 5) situation. After incurring 3 of these fouls, a player is ejected for the game. The most common major fouls result from holding, sinking, or striking and can carry several types of penalties, depending on the severity, game scenario, and the intent of the foul.

20 Second Exclusion Penalty

This Foul is usually given for holding, pulling back, striking, or swimming over a player who has the advantage

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