New USAWP Playing Rules
New FINA Rules – USAWP Implementation Timeline
Over the course of the 2018 FINA competitive calendar a set of new rules were experimented with at the Youth World Championships and the Senior World Cups. The games were played with the new rules and analyzed under great scrutiny by FINA with collaborative feedback taken from experts across the globe. The end result netted a faster and more dynamic game as evidenced by a 25% uptick in goals scored per game and a 24% decrease in fouls called per game. Below you will find a summary of the rule changes along with a timeline for implementation into USA Water Polo events. Ample transition time will be given for rules that require equipment upgrades, while rules that will make the game more enjoyable to play and easier to understand will be implemented sooner.
Rules Amendment #1:
Rule WP20 –Reset of Shot Clock to 20 Seconds: Possession time shall be reset to 20 when (a) a corner throw is awarded (b) after a shot is taken that does not change possession, and (c) in the event of an exclusion with less than 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock. If there is more than 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock at the time of the exclusion, the greater time will remain with no new reset.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – January 1, 2020
National Age Group Championships – January 1, 2020
Sanctioned Events – January 1, 2020
10u/12u Modified Rules – N/A
Rules Amendment #2:
Rule WP19 –Location of Free Throw: A free throw shall be taken at the spot of the ball, except (a) if the foul is committed by a defending player within the defender’s 2-meter area, the free throw shall be taken on the 2-meter line opposite to where the foul was committed and, (b) where otherwise provided for in the rules.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – March 1, 2019
National Age Group Championships – March 1, 2019
Sanctioned Events – March 1, 2019
10u/12u Modified Rules – March 1, 2019
Rules Amendment #3:
Rule WP17 –Corner Throws: A player taking a corner throw may (a) shoot directly (b) swim and shoot without passing or (c) pass to another player.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – January 1, 2020
National Age Group Championships – January 1, 2020
Sanctioned Events – January 1, 2020
10u/12u Modified Rules – January 1, 2020
Rules Amendment #4:
Rule WP5 –Additional Substitution Area: An additional substitution re-entry area will be at any place in between the goal line and center pool line on the teams half of the field of play (for flying substitutions). Substitute must always re-enter via the re-entry box in the corner. The rule only applies to pools with sidelines of at least a half meter from the wall.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – March 1, 2019
National Age Group Championships – March 1, 2019
Sanctioned Events – March 1, 2019
10u/12u Modified Rules – March 1, 2019
Rules Amendment #5:
Rule WP11 –Interval at Half-time: The interval at half-time shall be no more than 3 minutes.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters – March 1, 2019
National Age Group Championships – March 1, 2019
Sanctioned Events – March 1, 2019
Rules Amendment #6
Rule WP14 –Method of Scoring: If a foul is awarded outside of 6 meters, the player may (a) shoot immediately (b) fake and then shoot (after the ball in put into play) (c) dribble and then shoot. Both, the ball and the foul, must be outside of 6 meters.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – January 1, 2020
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – January 1, 2020
National Age Group Championships – January 1, 2020
Sanctioned Events – January 1, 2020
10u/12u Modified Rules – N/A
Rules Amendment #7:
Rule WP14 – Goalkeeper Privileges: The goalkeeper is allowed to move beyond and touch the ball past the half distance line. They are allowed to shoot from anywhere and can participate as a shooter in a penalty shot or shootout.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – March 1, 2019
National Age Group Championships – March 1, 2019
Sanctioned Events – March 1, 2019
10u/12u Modified Rules – March 1, 2019
Rules Amendment #8:
Rule WP12 –Time-outs: A team is entitled to no more than 2 time-outs per game. Time-outs can be called at anytime by the coach of the team in possession of the ball, except after awarding a penalty throw.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – March 1, 2019
National Age Group Championships – March 1, 2019
Sanctioned Events – March 1, 2019
10u/12u Modified Rules – March 1, 2019
Rules Amendment #9:
New Rule –Attacking a player from behind within 6 meters: When a player with front position is facing or swimming toward the goal and/or is holding the ball and is impeded (attacked) from behind during an attempt to shoot, a penalty foul must be awarded. The only way to defend in this position is for the defender to make contact with only the ball/hand of the attacking player. Note: This rule does not take precedence over the advantage rule. This rule does not change the definition of a probable goal. It only eliminates the no call of a penalty foul for having the ball in hand.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – January 1, 2020
National Age Group Championships – January 1, 2020
Sanctioned Events – January 1, 2020
Rules Amendment #10:
New Rule – Direct Shot Signal by the Referees: If a free throw is awarded for a foul outside, but within one meter of the 5-meter line, the referee administering the free throw will point downward to the 5-meter line to indicate that the player is eligible to shoot a direct shot on goal.
Men’s National League – March 1, 2019
Women’s Senior Nationals – March 1, 2019
ODP – March 1, 2019
Masters Nationals – March 1, 2019
National Age Group Championships – March 1, 2019
Sanctioned Events – March 1, 2019
Link to Commentary on New Rules from USAWP
New Intermediate (12u Goal) Size Recommendation
- Approximately 2.5 meters in width and .8 meters in height
- Will be used at Rocktober 2019 and Junior Olympics 2020
- Goals are available for purchase through Kap-7 and Malmsten
- FINA recommended size goals for this age group
- Same size goal can also be used for Beach Rules Water Polo (4 v 4)
- Recommended (not mandatory) for Sanctioned Event use after January 1, 2020
| Men’s National League | |
| Rule Amendment | Implementation Date |
| :20 Second Shot Clock | 3/1/19 |
| Location of Free Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Corner Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Flying Subs | 3/1/19 |
| Half-Time | 3/1/19 |
| Method of Scoring | 3/1/19 |
| Goalkeeper Privileges | 3/1/19 |
| Time-Outs | 3/1/19 |
| Penalty Foul inside 6m | 3/1/19 |
| Direct Shot Signal | 3/1/19 |
| Women’s Senior Nationals | |
| Rule Amendment | Implementation Date |
| :20 Second Shot Clock | 3/1/19 |
| Location of Free Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Corner Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Flying Subs | 3/1/19 |
| Half-Time | 3/1/19 |
| Method of Scoring | 1/1/20 |
| Goalkeeper Privileges | 3/1/19 |
| Time-Outs | 3/1/19 |
| Penalty Foul inside 6m | 3/1/19 |
| Direct Shot Signal | 3/1/19 |
| ODP | |
| Rule Amendment | Implementation Date |
| :20 Second Shot Clock | 3/1/19 |
| Location of Free Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Corner Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Flying Subs | 3/1/19 |
| Half-Time | 3/1/19 |
| Method of Scoring | 3/1/19 |
| Goalkeeper Privileges | 3/1/19 |
| Time-Outs | 3/1/19 |
| Penalty Foul inside 6m | 3/1/19 |
| Direct Shot Signal | 3/1/19 |
| Masters Nationals | |
| Rule Amendment | Implementation Date |
| :20 Second Shot Clock | 1/1/20 |
| Location of Free Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Corner Throw | 1/1/20 |
| Flying Subs | 3/1/19 |
| Half-Time | 3/1/19 |
| Method of Scoring | 1/1/20 |
| Goalkeeper Privileges | 3/1/19 |
| Time-Outs | 3/1/19 |
| Penalty Foul inside 6m | 1/1/20 |
| Direct Shot Signal | 3/1/19 |
| National Age Group Championships | |
| Rule Amendment | Implementation Date |
| :20 Second Shot Clock | 1/1/20 |
| Location of Free Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Corner Throw | 1/1/20 |
| Flying Subs | 3/1/19 |
| Half-Time | 3/1/19 |
| Method of Scoring | 1/1/20 |
| Goalkeeper Privileges | 3/1/19 |
| Time-Outs | 3/1/19 |
| Penalty Foul inside 6m | 1/1/20 |
| Direct Shot Signal | 3/1/19 |
| Sanctioned Events | |
| Rule Amendment | Implementation Date |
| :20 Second Shot Clock | 1/1/20 |
| Location of Free Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Corner Throw | 1/1/20 |
| Flying Subs | 3/1/19 |
| Half-Time | 3/1/19 |
| Method of Scoring | 1/1/20 |
| Goalkeeper Privileges | 3/1/19 |
| Time-Outs | 3/1/19 |
| Penalty Foul inside 6m | 1/1/20 |
| Direct Shot Signal | 3/1/19 |
| 10u/12u Modified Rules | |
| Rule Amendment | Implementation Date |
| Location of Free Throw | 3/1/19 |
| Corner Throw | 1/1/20 |
| Flying Subs | 3/1/19 |
| Goalkeeper Privileges | 3/1/19 |
| Time-Outs | 3/1/19 |
| Penalty Foul inside 6m | 1/1/20 |