Changes in the Game and Modern Rules

During the decade of the 1890′s, the game of water polo spread widely. Irish teams joined the British and Scottish teams. In America the rules were changed to make the game more practical in smaller, covered pools. In the American game the goal was scored by touching a mark painted on the wall, not by throwing for a goal. Water polo also spread to Germany, Austria and Hungary, where international competition was held. It also became popular in Australia, and soon spread to Russia.

During the 1950′s, changes in the rules made the game faster and more colorful by eliminating the many stops and actionless periods caused by the old rules. In 1950, the International Water Polo Board, the recognized rule-drafting organization, adopted what are basically today’s rules for the game.

Modern Rules

The modern game of water polo, which adopted many of the innovations introduced in the United States’ form of the game, is played in a pool-or pool area-not more than 20 feet in width, and not less than 19 yards long. At either end of the playing area, goals 3 feet high and 10 feet wide, backed with netting, are set at water level. The teams are made up of seven members on each side, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Team members are identified by the colors of their bathing caps and by numerals on the caps identifying the players and their positions on the team; goalkeeper, leftback, rightback, halfback, left forward, center forward and right forward.

In the formal game, called “hard-ball” water polo, an inflated ball 27 inches in circumference is used. The ball is tossed into the center of the playing area, and contestants fight for possession of it. The ball may be advanced toward the goal by batting it with the body, “dribbling,” or by balancing it in one hand. The object of the game is to score goals by hitting the ball through the net defended by the opposing side, using the head, feet or hands. At least 2 players must touch a ball before a goal may be scored.

The game is divided into 4 5-minute periods. Fouls such as carrying the ball under water or with two hands, tackling, bumping, etc. are called by a referee from outside the pool, and the penalty is an award of free throws to the opposing team.

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