Professional Water Polo DVDs | Water Polo News | Players

1. Turnover Situations

An important rule in water polo is that players can only handle the ball with one hand. Since players receive penalties for breaking the rules, when the ball is handled by a player with both hands, the referee blows the whistle one time to stop the play. The referee calls a turnover, and a member of the opposite team receives the ball. Turnovers also happen when a player from the defensive team enters the 2 meter line without possession of the ball.

2. Penalty Shots

If a player is attempting a shot on goal and is fouled by a member of the opposing team, the referee calls a penalty shot. In order for a penalty shot to happen, the foul must occur within the 5 meter line. Fouls that result in a penalty shot include hitting, sinking the player from behind and any other sort of inappropriate shot interference. Penalty shots take place at the 5 meter line.

3. Free Pass

A free pass, or free throw, are awarded when other minor fouls occur, such as pushing the ball underwater, pushing off the bottom, punching the ball with your fist and keeping the ball for more than 35 seconds without taking a shot on goal. In each case, the referee stops the play with a single whistle blow and gives a free throw to the appropriate player or team. Players who receive the ball for a free pass must pass the ball within five seconds.

4. Ejection Box

The ejection box, usually a corner of the pool, is the place where players are sent when they commit a major foul. Major fouls include grabbing and holding an offensive player, blocking a free pass, pushing another player underwater and using inappropriate language. The referee signals for the play to stop by blowing the whistle and pointing to the offending player. If a major foul has occurred, the referee points to the ejection box and blows the whistle again. This lets the player know that he is to stay in the ejection box until the referee signals that he may re-enter the game or until someone scores a goal.

5. Immediate Ejection

There are some fouls that require more of a penalty than the player spending time in the ejection box. If a player displays an act of brutality towards another player, usually extreme kicking or hitting, he is immediately removed from the rest of the game. The referee must interpret the player's actions as malicious and having the intent to harm in order to permanently eject him from the game.