Like any other game, water polo is played keeping in mind certain rules. If played without these rules, water polo will no doubt loose its popularity, so following these rules is a necessity than a compulsion.

Mentioned below are some important rules of water polo:

Players can use only one hand to touch the ball. Players are allowed to make only two major fouls and they are chucked out with the third one. Players are usually not allowed to stand at the bottom of the pool. Interfering with a free throw is considered as a major foul resulting in turf out.

Major Fouls: When the referee sees a major foul, he blows the whistle twice. Then the play stops and the player who commits the foul gets chucked out for 20 seconds from the game. Usually a defensive player commits this foul.

Examples of Major Fouls: If the offensive player contacts the defensive player intentionally. If the defensive player holds on to the offensive players. If the defensive player interferes with a free throw. If a player tries to pull down or sink the player.

Minor Fouls: When the referee sees a minor foul, he blows the whistle once. In this case, the player who is fouled gets a free throw if he has the ball. If the player who is fouled is a defender, he’s then given the ball to avail a free throw.

Examples of Minor Fouls: When a false start takes place at the beginning of the game. When the player holds the ball under water. When the player touches the ball with two hands. When the defensive player hits the arm or body of the offensive player holding the ball