JUNIOR WATER POLO RULES - Year 2-3

• Team consist of 6 players in the water at one time 1 goalie and 5 field players.
  

• To defend or throw a player can stand on the ground but jumping isn’t allowed.

• You can catch with 2 hands and it's encouraged to throw the ball with 1 hand, but while learning 1 hand will only be enforced for scoring goals.

• Games are 20 minutes long – 2 x 9 minute halves

• To start the game, you line up on the goal line (white cones) and wait until the referee blows the whistle to start the game. They will put the ball in the water at halfway.

• One player swims or walks to get the ball and throws it back to team mates. Then you walk or swim to the other team’s goal and try to score a goal.
  

• A goal is scored when the whole ball passes over the goal line in the goal area.

• You must be in the attacking end half to score a goal.

• When a goal is scored you go back to your own half. The team that did not score takes a throw from half way.

• You can’t walk with the ball but you can swim or dribble it in front of you.

• If the ball is free on the water you can grab it. If a player is in possession of the ball you cannot steal it.

• If the ball goes over the goal line outside the goal area, when you’re trying to get a goal, a free throw is given to the goalie.

• Defenders are not allowed within the one-metre mark to defend the goal. Marked by the red cone (Red zone – this helps stop the whole team standing in the goal) (NB to help spread players in the pool it is recommended that you have 2 defenders, 2 in the middle of the pool and 2 attackers)

• The ball can be dribbled by swimming with it, pushing it in front of you. You must pass the ball if you are blocked by a stationary defender. (To promote passing).

• When the person with the ball stands to pass the defender must move back 1 metre.

• You cannot tackle (take the ball from) another player if they are holding it.

• You cannot push the ball under water. 

• You cannot shoot a goal from a free throw.

• The goalie can catch the ball and throw it with two hands. The goalie can’t go past half way.

• Shots at goal must be taken in a team’s attacking half. Shots over halfway will not be counted.

• Players may not play below their age group or in a team that is registered in a lower grade than the team they are registered to play for. Players are not permitted to play in two teams within their age group.

• For safety reasons players are not permitted to wear goggles or spectacle glasses of any kind. All jewellery, bracelets, earrings, large hair clasps and piercing must be removed before entering the water. Long hair must be tied up.

• Supporters are to stay back from the area on the side of the pool the referee is working in.

• No abuse from supporters to officials will be tolerated.

• Coaches stay behind the red cones (this is to allow players to look to the referee for advice rather than coaches.)

• Every team must have an adult on the bench poolside. A student coach must be accompanied by an adult for health and safety reasons.

Updated 17/2/2025