🛒 Shop the best Water Polo Gear now! →
🤑 10% off on selected briefs & merch 🤑
Support the Total Waterpolo mission!
TW-Brandmark-Whitex2
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results

    National

    • Montenegro
      • Montenegrin League 2024/25
      • Montenegrin Cup 24/25
      • Montenegrin League 23/24
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 24/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 23/24
      • Qualifications
    • Slovenia
      • Slovenian League 24/25
      • Slovenian League 23/24
    • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Women
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Men
    • Austria
      • Austrian League 2025 – Men
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Women
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Men
    • Lithuania
      • Lithuanian League ’24
    • Latvia
      • Latvian Championship 2024
    • France
      • French League 23/24 – Men
    • Spain
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Men
    • Hungary
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Men
    • Italy
      • Italian League 23/24 – Men

    International

    • SINGAPORE 2025
      • Women
      • Men
    • LEN Champions League
      • Men 24/25
      • Men 23/24
    • DSV 98 Cup 2025
    • World Cup 2025
      • Men
    • AWL
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 2024/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 2023/24
      • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
    • NCAA
      • Men’s Finals 2024
      • Men’s Finals 2023
    • Oympic Games
      • Tokyo 2020
        • Women
        • Men
      • Paris 2024
        • Olympic Tournament – Men
        • Olympic Tournament – Women
    • World Championships
      • Doha 2024
        • Women
        • Men
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2022
        • Women
        • Men
    • European Championships
      • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
      • Zagreb / Dubrovnik 2024 – Men
      • Split 2022
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2020

    Amateur & Junior Divisions

    • Summer Cup 2025
    • Nordic League U16 2024/25
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
    • Masters Cup 2025

    Total Waterpolo Arena livescoring app: Stay in the game with real-time updates and stats for your next tournament.

    Contact Us
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop

    WearWaterpolo™ Webshop

    • Webshop
    • Men’s Briefs
    • Women’s Suits
    • Apparel
    • Game Balls
    • About

    Partner up with Total Waterpolo, the leading international water polo network worldwide and take your team gear to the next level. Our products are made to endure the harshest conditions from pro leagues around the world to your local squad rivalries. We can't wait to join your team!

    Get Total Waterpolo for your Team
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017
CHL 24/25
Support Us

FINA Technical Water Polo Congress approves new rules

October 4, 2022

Photo: Total Waterpolo

The FINA Technical Water Polo Congress was held today to ratify proposed changes to the rules of the game. 

Under the stewardship of Tamas Molnar, chairman of the FINA Technical Water Polo Committee, the committee unanimously (93% yes, 3% no, 4% abstain) approved the changes outlined below.

To save time, the approval process for all the changes took place as a block vote , rather than on a point-by-point basis. The twenty-two changes will come into force on the 1st January 2023.

Key Changes

WP 1.2 – Venue Change

The 2m rule will now only apply within the goal mouth area, according to a new proposal widely supported by coaches and specialists. To be more specific, there will now be a new ‘zone’, rectangular in shape, that runs along the goal-line, two metres outwards from each post, and from the goal line to two metres out, making a box similar to that in football. The 2m metre rules will now only apply in this area. To help visualise the new zone, see the diagrams provided by FINA below:

WP 23.2 – Penalty Fouls

‘The referee can delay whistling a penalty, and wait to see if the attacking player scores a goal in the same action. If the player does not score, the referee should sanction the penalty. The referee may raise an arm indicating a possible penalty.’

The rationale behind this change is that, previously, if a player had missed an opportunity whilst the referee was the playing advantage, instead of awarding a penalty, there was no opportunity for the referee to pull play back for the initial penalty. The technical committee made it clear that it players should not be penalised for making a positive actions, and therefore the new rules will mean referees can delay awarding a penalty, even after a missed opportunity by the attacker. 

 

WP 24.2 – Penalty Throws

‘All players shall leave the 6 metre area and shall be at least three metres from the player taking the throw. On the 6 metre line, on each side of the player taking the throw, one player of the defending team shall have the first right to take position. The defending goalkeeper shall be positioned between the goal posts with no part of his body beyond the goal line at water level. The referees can give one warning to the players or the goalkeeper to take up the correct position. If that person does not do so, the player or goalkeeper shall be excluded and shall reenter in accordance with WP22.3. Should the goalkeeper be out of the water, another player may take the position of the goalkeeper but without the goalkeeper’s privileges and limitations. The referees may use the VAR system to determine if there has been interference with the penalty throw.’

There are an increasing number of instances where defending players or goalkeepers have become increasingly bold during the penalty taking procedure; edging closer to the penalty taker, giving the penalty-taker a little word in their ear, or a nudge before they take their penalty. Most goalkeepers need to be told multiple times to stay on the goal-line.

The new rules now stipulate that all other players, except the penalty taker (and of course the defending goalkeeper), should position themselves on 6m, at least three metres away from the penalty taker. If they fail to follow the rules of the penalty-taking procedure, the referee may exclude them. This includes goalkeepers. VAR may be consulted to help make decisions on this matter.

 

WP 27 – Yellow and Red Cards

‘The referee, if necessary, must use Yellow and Red Cards to control the Team Officials and Substitute Players on the Team Bench as well as the players in the water. The use of Yellow and Red Cards applies to all FINA Water Polo Competitions and will be administered as follows:

a) The issuing of a Yellow Card by the referee is an official warning to the Head Coach of the team.

b) The subsequent issuing of a Red Card by the referee is the signal that the Head Coach and/or other Team Official(s) and/or player(s) on the bench must leave pool area immediately. Should the actions of the Head Coach require it, the referee may issue a Red Card, without having issued a Yellow Card.

c) When the Head Coach is excluded from the game, another Team Official may take this position, however without the privileges of the Head Coach. The Team Official is not allowed to stand and move away from the team bench but can ask for a time-out according to the rules. During a time out or after a goal, before the restart of the match the Team Official may move freely along the poolside till the halfway mark to instruct the team.

d) During the match, when a team member inside the water commits an act of misconduct, the referee must show a Red Card to the player accompanied by the appropriate sanction.

e) A referee may issue a Yellow Card, if, in the referee’s opinion, a player persists in playing in an unsporting manner or engages in simulation. The referee shall show a Yellow Card to the offending team and point to the offending player. Should the action continue, the referee will show the player a Red Card visible to both the team and the table as this is deemed to be misconduct. (WP 21.17) f) Team members committing an act of misconduct will be punished according to WP 22.13 and must leave the pool area immediately.

The principles behind these specific rules are almost universally in practice now, however there is now a greater emphasis on the coaches responsibility to control their players and their bench.

Other changes

  • The term ‘brutality’ is to be removed from the rules, and instead replaced with ‘violent action’. The punishment for such offences will rise from an automatic one match ban to a two match ban.
  • After consultation with the players, FINA are to reduce ball pressure in accordance with the new line of Mikasa test balls. Players had previously complained that the balls were too heavy.
  • For FINA’s age-group competitions, the terms Cadet, Youth and Junior are being scrapped and replaced with 16U, 18U and 20U respectively.
  • The term ‘goal line’ is defined for the first time in the rules.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

TW Press
TW Press

Related posts

Marco Del Lungo Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

June 22, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Marco Del Lungo to Savona


Read more

Gianmarco Nicosia Photo by Laszlo Balogh

June 20, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Gianmarco Nicosia to Pro Recco


Read more

Gonzalo Echenique (ITA) Photo by Marcel ter Bals/Orange Pictures

June 20, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Gonzalo Echenique to Barceloneta


Read more

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US


Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • 0
    [CONFIRMED] Marco Del Lungo to Savona
    June 22, 2025
  • Spain becomes world junior champion after 34 years
    June 21, 2025
  • Spain and USA to face in big final in Zagreb; Americans make history
    June 20, 2025
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
✕
CroMasters '24
Support Us
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT