Can you dunk in water polo

If you look at tackling in that way, then you can look at the rules of water polo again, which say that a player can do certain things to other players, such as:.

Of course, this only applies to those that are holding the ball. That being said, a player may not kick or strike an opponent at any time. Therefore, if tackling is stopping an opponent, then we can assume that the actions of holding, sinking, and pulling all fall under the category of an appropriate tackle.

Water polo has a game flow that is more similar to soccer or basketball than football or rugby, which are the sports where we normally find tackling.

Due to this slightly different flow, tackling looks different in another large way in water polo. You may only tackle one person: the player with the ball.

The rules of water polo state that you cannot hold, sink, pull, or impede an opposing player who does not hold the ball, which effectively means you cannot tackle them. The intention behind this rule is to keep the sport from becoming too physical and hard to monitor.

The effect of this rule can make a water polo game extremely confusing for new spectators. Since opponents can only tackle other players if they hold the ball, what exactly counts as holding the ball becomes a matter of great importance. Holding means physically having a hand on the ball.

You must be touching it in some way. However, dribbling the ball between your arms as you swim is not considered holding. You can guess where this definition and ruleset often lead. Players try to let go of the ball before they are tackled so that the referee will call a foul on their opponent. Referees have to keep a sharp eye to track all of the back and forth as a player alternately holds and drops the ball. In response, defensive players are a constant back and forth of grasping and letting go of the possessing player.

This issue has become a subject of controversy within the water polo community. Certain water polo players and coaches have even gone as far as to say that—in some ways—it has completely changed the structure of the game. For this reason, there have been those advocating for the rules surrounding water polo contact to be changed source. They feel that the back and forth battle of holding and not holding disrupts the natural rhythm of the game, which can be a turn-off for the players and fans.

The referees never stray too far from their whistles because of how often they need to regulate the physical contact between players. So seemingly every play, you can hear the high-pitched sound of the whistle. Some major fouls result in the player being excluded for 20s, some for the entire game with a substitute allowed back in after 20s, some for the entire game with a substitute allowed back in after four minutes, and some with a penalty throw awarded to the opposing team. The referee normally signals an exclusion in this manner: 1 two short then one long blast of the whistle; 2 pointing at the excluded player then moving the arm towards the re-entry area; then 3 putting up one or both hands and signaling the number of the excluded player.

For exclusion with substitution, the referee makes a circular motion with both hands. The referee signals a penalty foul in this manner: 1 two or three blasts of the whistle; 2 the number 5 held up with the right arm; then 3 putting up one or both hands and signaling the number of the offending player. Major Fouls - Exclusion for 20s The most common major exclusion foul is holding, sinking, or pulling back a player who is not holding the ball. Other less common exclusion fouls are whistled for interference with a free throw or for kicking or striking.

Major Fouls - Exclusion for 20s and Substitution The exclusion with substitution is reserved for serious infractions. Generally, this kind of a foul is assessed either for violence or disrespect. Although there are other situations where this can be the result, they are very rare. Major Fouls - Brutality The brutality foul requires that the offending player demonstrate obvious intent to injure another player.

This is much more serious than mere violence. As a result of this foul: 1 the offending player is removed from that game and at least the next game; 2 that team may not substitute for that player for four minutes of game time; and 3 the offended team is awarded a penalty throw.

Brutality occurs very rarely. Major Fouls - Penalty Fouls A penalty foul is awarded when a player commits any kind of a foul in the penalty area inside the 5m line that, in the opinion of the referee, prevented a probable goal. This is most commonly awarded in situations where the attacker turns or gets inside the defenders and is fouled from behind.

Conduct Fouls When the behavior of participants not in the water players, Coaches', or any other team personnel is inappropriate, the referees can issue yellow or red cards. For community water polo, the rules of the game are frequently different than adult water polo. Modified rules are applied depending on the age and expertise of the players. Each team has a coach that stands on the side of the pool giving instructions and positive feedback to their participants.

Frequently in games involving young children, the referee will stop the game to explain the rules. When played in shallow pools, young children are not permitted to jump from the bottom of the pool to shoot or block a shot. The goal tender is allowed to jump off the bottom to defend his net. Only the goaltender may touch the ball with 2 hands. The goaltender cannot cross the half court line. How many players are allowed in the water at one time?

There are two 2 teams in the water at a time, with each team playing with six 6 field players and a goalie. One team wears a light coloured protective water polo cap, while the other team wears a dark coloured cap so that both teams can be identified. A goal is awarded once the entire ball has crossed the goal line between the posts and the crossbar. An international water polo game lasts 4 quarters of 8 minutes stop time.

That means every time the referee blows the whistle to indicate an event such as a penalty, change of possession, fouls, the game clock will stop until the play begins again.

There is a 2 minute break between the 1st and 2nd quarter, a 5 minute half-time break, and a 2 minute break between the 3rd and 4th period. If at the end of the 4 quarters the score is tied, there will be a 2 minute break followed by 2 quarters of 3 minutes stop time of overtime. There will be a 2 minute break between the 1st and 2nd overtime period. If the score still remains tied at the end of overtime, the game will be determined by a shootout.

There are 2 types of clocks around the pool. The 1st clock is the "game clock" which posts a countdown of the time remaining in each quarter; the goals scored for each team, and may even post other important information such as penalties against each team and number of timeouts remaining.

The 2nd is the "possession clock" better known as the "shot clock". Each team has 30 seconds to direct a shot towards the opposing team's goal. If the attacking team does not direct a shot within the 30 second time frame, the buzzer will sound and the ball will be given to the opposing team. If a shot is directed towards the goal, and the attacking team regains possession of their rebound, they will be awarded with a new 30 second "shot clock".

A minor foul is awarded to the player in possession with ball if the opposing player does not permit him from moving forward or playing the ball. The minor foul gives the attacking player a "free" pass, meaning the player in possession of the ball cannot be attacked while passing the ball to a teammate.

If a minor foul occurs outside of the 5-meter area yellow marker the player in possession of the ball may direct a shot towards the net without hesitation or fear of being attacked by the defender. A penalty is called a "major foul" and occurs when an athlete commits a more physical minor foul, or prevents a player from attacking the net. The player does not need to have possession of the ball to draw a major foul against the defending player.

A player awarded a major foul must swim to the corner where the team's bench is located and sit in the penalty area for a period of 20 seconds. The player may only re-enter the game once a goal is scored against, or his team regains possession of the ball or the 20 seconds has elapsed.