Water polo how many periods

In addition to the game clock, there is a shot clock, which gives each team 30 seconds to shoot at the goal. If a team does not take a shot within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball, a minor foul is called and the ball is given to the opposing team. At lower levels of competition the shot clock may count down from 35 seconds.

Each period begins with a sprint for the ball. Players line up along their goal line, usually with the fastest player closest to the referee with the ball. The referee blows the whistle to signal the start of the sprint and drops the ball at the center line. Players race first for the ball, and then to set up either their offense or defense, depending on who gained possession of the ball.

The goal keeper is the only player allowed to punch the ball, and then, may only do so inside the five-meter line. All players swim back and forth, playing offense and defense, except the goal keeper, who is not allowed to cross the half-distance line. During the four regular periods, teams may call up to two timeouts. Water polo players use a movement called eggbeater which is more efficient than the normal action of treading water.

Players can move the ball by throwing it to a teammate or swimming while pushing the ball in front of them. They can only hold the ball with one hand, other than the goalkeeper who can use both hands. The match starts with a swim-off. The ball is released in the middle of the pitch with the players lined up along their own goal lines.

The first team to reach the ball has the first possession of the game. After each goal, the team who conceded resume the match with the ball. All players for each team must be in their own half at the resumption of play.

Instead, polo players would describe water polo to a newcomer as soccer or basketball in the water. It is similar to soccer in that water polo is a competitive, full-contact team sport. The objective is the same: to score more than the opposing team before the end of the game. This timer counts down how long that team can be in possession of the ball. If this shot clock runs out without the team taking a shot, the ball is turned over to the defending team so they can go on the attack.

Also like basketball, water polo games are divided up into four equal quarters. However, a water polo quarter can be anywhere from six to eight minutes, depending on the age of the players and whether or not a game is stand-alone just a singular game or part of a tournament where players could be playing up to three games a day. A: As mentioned before, there are six field players and one goalie. The field players are divided into three distinct roles: wing, hole set or center , and point.

If the six players are arranged into a V-shaped or umbrella configuration , five players position themselves on the outside with one player in the middle at the two-meter mark near the goal. The players on the left and right sides of the center who are closest to the goal are called wings. These players can swim in and out of the middle and often change positions with one another while trying to open up space for a shot. The player at the point of the V is called the point and is located furthest away from the goal.

They too can switch positions with the wings while trying to shoot or play the ball into the hole set. The hole set, or the center, is the player who sits 2 meters in front of the goal. A: Nope! There, the CF will either take the ball and shoot or draw a foul.

The CF position will usually be played by one person more, as opposed to switching positions, due to the strength and skills required. A centre back is a player who defends the CF. The CB may be supported by the other team members by calling a zone or may defend one-on-one in a press situation. These positions do the most swimming and often change positions several times during a single play. Drivers are constantly creating movement by driving down to the goal post and rotating around, or creating screens in order to free teammates of their defenders.

Their main job is to get the ball into the CF. Their proximity to the goal and their position relative to the CF make them invaluable components for scoring goals. Utility players are those players who are comfortable playing all positions. The utility players are the strongest players in the team, who swap places with other players whenever there is an opportunity to score.

Utility players are most effective when they drive in and play CF and quickly score against a defender, who is inexperienced in that position.

Basic Rules of Water Polo.