World Aquatics has once again shown how marginalized water polo is and how our sport is managed. Although it was initially announced that potential changes would be tested during this year’s World Cup, that will not happen.
The announced changes have already been adopted and will apply to all future World Aquatics events starting from November 9. Here are the changes:
Key Rule Modifications:
1. Reduced Possession and Exclusion Times:
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- Possession time for men will be set at 25 seconds instead of 30 seconds
- Second possession will be limited to 15 seconds instead of 20 seconds.
- Exclusion period will also be limited to 15 seconds instead of 20 seconds.
2. Shorter field of Play for Men:
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- Men’s matches will be played on a 25-meter field of play instead of 30-meter.
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3. Coach’s Challenge Using VAR:
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- Coaches will have the opportunity to challenge decisions using Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology once per game. The challenge can be applied in three scenarios:
1. A Referee’s perceived failure to call a violent action;
2. A Referee’s perceived failure to call a penalty foul;
3. A Referee’s perceived incorrect call of a penalty foul;
4. One of the following field of play situations not reviewed by VAR technology:
a) A corner throw or goal throw.
b) A goal.
c) A declaration of no goal.
d) An interference in an Athlete’s penalty throw.
e) A goal recorded at “shot clock” expiration or at the conclusion of a period.
f) An Athlete’s improper or illegal entry or re-entry into the field of play.
g) A shot taken at the end of a period, during which time, a player is wrongfully excluded from the field of play.
h) Any perceived error made by the jury table; or
i) Any perceived electronic error that has not been reviewed by VAR
- Coaches will have the opportunity to challenge decisions using Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology once per game. The challenge can be applied in three scenarios:
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There is still no info on where coaches can challenge situation when Tamas Molnar just appears near the pool and orders to reply part of the game.
4. Playing without a Goalkeeper:
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- Teams can now play with seven field players (without a designated goalkeeper). None of the players are allowed to defend with two hands (no goalkeeper privileges).
5. Players can become Goalkeepers:
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- Any field player can switch their cap for a red (with the same number they were wearing) one during the game and become the goalkeeper. (This means that each team needs to have an additional set of red caps with all numbers.)
- Any field player can switch their cap for a red (with the same number they were wearing) one during the game and become the goalkeeper. (This means that each team needs to have an additional set of red caps with all numbers.)
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6. You can 14 players if two of them are goalkeepers. If you have one goalkeeper, you can have up to 12 players.
