What Is Water Polo and How Is the Game Played?

Updated

Water polo is a team sport played in a swimming pool where two teams try to throw a ball into the opponent's goal, and the team that scores more goals wins. It suits newcomers who can swim and want a team sport that mixes swimming, passing, and shooting, but it is demanding because players cannot stand on the bottom of the pool during play. The description below covers the basic format, rules, and skills so you can follow a match or judge whether to try it.

The basic objective

Two teams compete to score more goals than the other. A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. Goals are thrown, not kicked or carried, and the game restarts from the centre after each goal.

Team setup

A team typically has seven players in the water at once, one of whom is the goalkeeper. The other six are usually split between defenders and attackers. Teams also carry substitutes, who can enter from their own end during stoppages or on the fly.

Role Main job
Goalkeeper Stops shots, starts counter-attacks, is the only player allowed to handle the ball with two hands
Defender Marks opponents, blocks passes and shots, protects the goal area
Attacker Creates space, passes, and shoots on goal

Core rules a newcomer should know

  • Players may not touch the bottom of the pool during play; the game is played by treading water or swimming.
  • Outfield players may not hold the ball with two hands. Only the goalkeeper may do this inside their own half.
  • Fouls lead to a free throw for the other team, taken from where the foul occurred.
  • More serious or repeated fouls lead to exclusion: the offending player leaves the water for a period and their team plays a player short.
  • Players are not allowed to push off or hold an opponent who is not holding the ball.

Game structure

A match is usually divided into four quarters. A shot clock limits how long a team can hold the ball before shooting, which keeps the game moving and stops teams from stalling. If the clock runs out without a shot, possession passes to the other team.

Key skills and positions

Water polo rewards strong swimming, accurate passing, and shooting power, plus the ability to defend while treading water. Common skills include:

  • Eggbeater kick – a treading technique that keeps the head and shoulders above water while leaving the hands free.
  • Passing and catching – usually one-handed, often while moving.
  • Shooting – a powerful throw from the water, frequently off a pass or after a drive toward goal.
  • Defending – positioning between the attacker and the goal, blocking, and pressing.

How to get started

Find a club that offers beginner or development sessions. University and city clubs often run squads for different ability levels, so you do not need prior water polo experience to begin. For example, a university club may offer a development squad alongside a performance squad, letting new players train and compete while they learn the rules.

If you are at or applying to Lancaster University, the Lancaster University Swimming and Water Polo Club (LUSWP) is a competitive swimming and water polo club based at the Lancaster University Sports Centre. It says it welcomes swimmers and water polo players of all abilities and offers opportunities to train and compete in both sports, so a newcomer can look for a training squad that fits their level.