rule summary

2006 PRA Summary of the NFHS Water Polo Rules
complete NFHS Rule Changes as of June 23, 2006

This information is intended to serve as a "heads up" and lists the major changes pertaining to the most common occurring rule violations. The actual language of the rules are in the process of being approved and will be clarified when the rulebook is released at the end of July

With the roughness of the game being scrutinized by authorities at all levels of the sport a strong emphasis has been placed on enforcing penalties that will lead to a decline in over-aggressive play and brutalities.

Pool Markers

a. white marks - goal line and half-distance line
b. red marks – 2 yards/m from goal line
c. yellow marks – 5 meters from goal line

Ball Color

The ball shall be round, yellow or gold in color and may have colored stripes

Fingernail rule

If sharp nails are discovered after the game starts, the player is removed and must trim the nails before returning later to the game as a substitute.

Yellow Card

CCS Ruling/2006: A coach who is issued a yellow card must remain seated on the team bench except between periods and time outs.

Red Card

CCS Ruling/2006: A player or coach who receives a second red card will have participation terminated for the remainder of the season.

Third Foul/Penalty Foul

If a player is excluded for the second time and interferes with play when leaving the pool, a penalty foul shall be awarded against the excluded player, that foul making that player’s third personal foul

Direct shot on goal

A goal may be scored by a player immediately shooting from outside 5 meters after the player’s team has been awarded a free throw for a foul committed outside 5 meters.

Goal throw

The goal throw shall be taken by any player of the team from anywhere within the 2-yard/m area. The goal throw shall be taken by the player nearest to the ball.

Double exclusion reentry

In the case of a double exclusion, with the team on offense retaining possession of the ball, both excluded players are eligible to reenter when a change of possession occurs.

Use of two hands

inside 5 meters: It is a penalty foul for a defending player to commit any foul within the 5-meter area but for which a goal would probably have resulted

outside 5 meters: If a defending player who is outside the 5-meter area raises two hands in an attempt to play or block a shot on a goal, the player shall be excluded. This does not pertain to a pass.

The penalty for committing an act of brutality during live time or dead time is as follows: the offending player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game, the substitute excluded for 20 seconds, a dead-time penalty throw awarded, and the team shooting the penalty throw shall get the ball back at the half-distance line as after a timeout, whether the penalty shot is made or missed.

Penalty during time out or after a goal: the offending player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game, the substitute excluded for 20 seconds, a dead-time penalty throw awarded, and the team shooting the penalty throw shall get the ball back at the half-distance line as after a timeout

Penalty during interval between periods: the offending player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game, the substitute excluded for 20 seconds, the period begins with a dead-time penalty throw, and the team shooting the penalty throw shall get the ball back at the half distance line as after a timeout

Penalty during live or dead time: Both players are excluded for the remainder of the game, a dead-time penalty throw awarded each team, taken with the substitutes in the exclusion areas.

Simultaneous between periods: Both players excluded for the remainder of the game with their substitutes in the exclusion areas, and the next period begins with a sprint. After one team gains possession, the referee will stop the game and award a penalty throw to the team which gained possession. This results in a goal or no goal. The second penalty shot will be taken by the defensive team, which will result in a goal or no goal. The referee will then award a free throw on or behind the half distance line to the team that gained possession on the sprint as after a timeout

New referee signal: A figure showing arms crossed down over the lower abdomen will be used to signal brutality.

Misconduct and Disrespect

The fouls of disrespect and misconduct are combined into one rule called misconduct, with the penalty remaining the same as the current rule (exclusion for the remainder of the game with substitution after 20 seconds).
CCS Ruling/2006: A player or coach who is "rolled" (game exclusion) shall be suspended from the next game. He/she shall be suspended for 3 games for each subsequent game exclusion penalty.

Entering field of play improperly

It is an exclusion foul for an excluded player or a substitute to enter the field of play improperly. If this foul is committed by a player of the team not in possession of the ball, the offending player shall be excluded for 20 seconds and a penalty throw is awarded to the opposing team. If the foul is committed by a player of the team in possession of the ball, the offending player shall be excluded for 20 seconds and a free throw awarded to the opposing team.

Penalty throw

Referee signal: The referee signals with five fingers.

Coaches signal during last minute of play. A new signal is added for a coach to notify the referee that the coach wants to maintain possession of ball instead of taking a penalty throw in the last minute. The coach will cross the arms up across the chest. (The coach will raise five fingers if the coach wishes to take the penalty throw instead of maintaining possession of the ball.)