Water Polo

Water Polo Rule Changes

• 1

  Water Polo Rules Changes - 2026-28

  March 05, 2026

  1-8: Placement of team benches and the administrative table shall be determined by the facility layout and may be positioned on either side of the pool.
  Rationale: Team benches shall be located in close proximity to the administrative (score) table to ensure efficient communication and game management. If structural or facility limitations exist, the benches and tables may be relocated as necessary to promote safety, visibility, and effective game administration.

  1-12-4: Prohibits audio or video devices from being worn by players during the game.
  Rationale: Defines the types of electronic devices prohibited by the rule.

  2-1-1, 7-3-5: After the start of a game, a team is not required to have a goalkeeper and may instead have seven players. In that case, no field player will have goalkeeper privileges. As a result of the change, Rule 7-3-5 has been deleted.
  Rationale: Consistent with national trends of the sport.

  2-9: Additional language prohibits use of illicit substances by participants, team personnel or coaches during a contest.
  Rationale: Provides consistent language for NFHS rules books prohibiting the use of alcohol, tobacco, and controlled or illicit substances.

  3-3: Permits an intercom headset system to be utilized by referees.  
  Rationale: Adds an effective tool for referee communication and collaboration.

  3-22: Additional language prohibits use of illicit substances by officials during a contest.
  Rationale: Provides consistent language for NFHS rules books prohibiting the use of alcohol, tobacco, and controlled or illicit substances.

  4-7-1, 4-13: Allows either the offense and/or defense to call a 30-second time-out after a goal is scored.
  Rationale: Previously, the team on defense was only allowed to call a full time-out after a goal was scored, not a 30 second time-out. This rule change allows the defense to call a full time-out or 30 second time-out after a goal.

  4-22-1 NOTE: A goal can be scored directly after a correctable clock error and after the referee has removed the ball prior to the corner throw for any administrative reason.
  Rationale: Provides administrative flexibility for officials by allowing a direct shot if the ball is removed for any administrative reason prior to the taking of a corner throw.

  4-22-1: When the ball is located outside of 6 meters, it will no longer matter where the foul is located to be able to shoot directly and score.
  Rationale: This change promotes offense. It also removes one of the parameters of scoring which was that both the ball and the foul needed to be outside the 6-meter line. With the rule change, only the ball needs to be outside of 6 meters (while the foul can take place inside of 6 meters).

  4-22-2: This rule change allows the player to put the ball into play, move outside 6 meters, and score from anywhere in the field of play.
  Rationale: This change promotes offense.

  4-27: A player who voluntarily leaves the field of play may re-enter immediately upon reaching the re-entry area nearest to that player’s goal line.
  Rationale: Clarifies the protocol when a player voluntarily leaves the field of play and re-enters in a manner other than what is specified by rule.

  5-1: The additional language clarifies that a ball is considered out of bounds when a player in possession reaches the ball entirely across the goal line and outside of the goal posts.
  Rationale: Clarifies the definition of out of bounds on an end line.

  6-1: Player location is determined by the center of the head relative to the 2-meter, 6-meter, half distance and goal lines. The Goal Area was added to the list of boundaries in the field of play.
  Rationale: The lines that define the Goal Area also determine where a player may legally be located.

  6-10-1, 6-10-2: Permits the center to let go and attempt to play the ball while it is in the air, provided there is no push off or a sink of the defender.
  Rationale: Defines how the center is legally able to play the ball. 

  6-14-1: The additional language clarifies that a ball is considered out of bounds when a player in possession reaches the ball entirely across the sideline.
  Rationale: Clarifies the definition of out of bounds on a sideline.

  7-2-4: If a player climbs from the side of the pool instead of swimming to the re-entry area, that player is excluded from the remainder of the game, with substitution after the earliest occurrence.
  Rationale: Clarifies that any player, even someone leaving voluntarily, cannot leave the water. If any player does, it is a game exclusion.

  7-3-1c NOTES: Establishes a clear definition of “control of the ball” - a concept that is the basis for numerous judgments in water polo, including fouls, advantage, exclusion decisions, and goalkeeper privileges.
  Rationale: The clarifications ensure officials, coaches and athletes operate with a shared understanding of what it means for a player to be considered “in control.”

  7-8: It is an exclusion foul to use two hands to hold an opponent who is not holding the ball.
  Rationale: The additional language clarifies that it is only illegal to hold with two hands when the player is not holding the ball. If a player is holding the ball, the defender can hold using two hands as long as that action is not deemed over-aggressive or violent.

  7-12-1: A player receiving a second minor act of misconduct i(MAM) n a game will be excluded for the remainder of the game for misconduct.
  Rationale: Clarifies that if a player receives a second MAM in a game, the referee will signal a double-handed rolling for misconduct.

  7-17: If a defending goalkeeper fails to take the correct position on the goal line or moves off of the line before the referee's whistle and the shot is missed or blocked at the taking of a penalty throw, the goalkeeper is excluded for 20 seconds.
  Rationale: Further clarifies what constitutes failure to take position on the goal line and adds a penalty for this behavior.

  8-2: Defines circumstances that must exist for there to be a probable goal.
  Rationale: Establishes consistent criteria for determining probable goals when an offensive player has the ball inside the 6-meter area in situations not otherwise covered by Rule 8.

  9-2: Increases the distance opposing players must be positioned away from a player taking a penalty throw.
  Rationale: A penalty throw should be free from interference as the team shooting has already been disadvantaged. Having the defenders on the 6-meter line and 3 meters away solves this issue.

   

  2026-28 Water Polo Editorial Changes

  Pool Diagrams, 1-6-1e, 1-15-1, 1-26, 2-1-1, 3-11, 3-22, 5-5, 5-6, 5-10-1, 5-11, 6-11-1, 6-11-2, 6-11-3, 8-9, 9-4

  2026-28 Water Polo Points of Emphasis

  1. Goalkeeper Play

  2. Free Throws

  3. Simulation

  4. Identification of the NFHS Authenticating Mark on Game Balls

  5. Misconduct