Who gets the ball when it goes out behind the goal in water polo?
I · Intermediate · Throws, referees and reviews · 8 of 11It depends on who touched it last. If the defending goalkeeper touched it last, or a defender put it out deliberately, the attackers take a corner throw from the 2 metre mark. If an attacker touched it last, or a defender's block of a shot sent it out, the defending team takes a goal throw.
How it works
- When: the entire ball has passed fully over the goal line, outside the goal.
- Goal throw: awarded when the ball was "last been touched by any player other than the goalkeeper of the defending team", or "when a defending player blocks a shot over the goal line".
- Taking a goal throw: by any player of the defending team from anywhere inside the 2 metre area. If the ball is outside 2 metres, from where it is.
- Corner throw: awarded when the ball was last touched "by the goalkeeper of the defending team or deliberately by a defending player".
- Taking a corner throw: by an attacker "from the 2 metre mark on the side nearest to which the ball crossed the goal line". It need not be the nearest player.
- The goal area at a corner: no attacker may be in it. A corner taken too early or from the wrong place is retaken.
- The possession clock: 15 seconds after a corner throw, the full time after a goal throw.
- Shooting: a player may shoot at once from a goal throw or a corner throw.
The glossary has the goal throw and the corner throw.
Tricky cases
A defender's arm deflects a shot over the goal line. Is it a corner?
No. A defending player who blocks a shot over the goal line gives their own team a goal throw.
A defender deliberately tips a pass out behind the goal. What is the restart?
A corner throw. A deliberate touch by a defender is treated like a touch by the goalkeeper.
Can a goal be scored straight from a corner throw?
Yes. An immediate shot from a corner throw may score.
Can the goalkeeper score from a goal throw?
Yes. The rules allow an immediate shot from a goal throw, and a goal may be scored from anywhere in the field of play.
Why the rule exists
A field player who blocks a shot with one arm has defended well and is not punished for where the ball lands. A goalkeeper's save is different: the attack was good enough to need it, so the attackers keep the ball with a shorter clock.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | WP 12.1 to 13.4 |
| Ball out over the side | A free throw against the team that last touched it | WP 11.4 |
| Video review | The referee may review whether it was a corner throw or a goal throw | WP Appendix 7 (20.7.2) |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 12.1, 12.2, 13.1 to 13.4, 7.2 and 8.12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).