What does the referee do when nobody is entitled to the ball?
A · Advanced · Throws, referees and reviews · 2 of 3The referee throws the ball in between the teams so that both have an equal chance of reaching it. This neutral throw is given when opponents commit ordinary fouls at the same moment, when the two referees whistle against opposite teams, when the ball hits something overhead or when a start falls unfairly.
How it works
A neutral throw is awarded when:
- A start goes wrong: at the start of a period, the ball "has fallen in a position to the definite advantage of one team".
- Fouls together: opponents commit an ordinary foul at the same moment and the referees cannot tell who offended first.
- Two whistles: both referees whistle at the same moment to award ordinary fouls to opposite teams.
- Exclusions with no possession: neither team has the ball and opponents commit exclusion fouls at the same moment. The throw is taken after the players have been excluded.
- Overhead: "the ball strikes or lodges in an overhead obstruction".
How it is taken:
- Where: at about the same lateral position as the event. If that is inside the goal area, on the 2 metre line.
- How: thrown so that players of both teams "have an equal opportunity to reach the ball".
- Again: if the ball falls to the definite advantage of one team, the referee calls for it and throws again.
- The clocks: the game clock starts when a player touches the ball. The possession clock is set to the full time.
The glossary has the neutral throw.
Tricky cases
Can a player score straight from a neutral throw?
No. The rules that allow an immediate shot leave the neutral throw out. A player who gains the ball outside 6 metres may visibly put it into play and then shoot.
The two referees give opposite exclusion fouls and one team has the ball. Is it a neutral throw?
No. With simultaneous exclusions, the team that had possession keeps the ball with a free throw.
The ball hits a scoreboard hanging over the pool and drops to an attacker. Does play go on?
No. A ball that strikes an overhead obstruction is dead, and the referee gives a neutral throw.
Does the referee throw the ball where the foul happened?
It depends on where that was. The throw is taken level with the event along the side, and one given inside the goal area is moved out to the 2 metre line.
Why the rule exists
Some stoppages are nobody's fault, and some are both teams' fault equally. Giving the ball to either side would be a guess, so the referee puts it where both can contest it.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | WP 14.1 to 14.3 |
| Simultaneous exclusions | A free throw if a team had the ball, a neutral throw if not | WP 9.15 |
| Roof height | No minimum in general. At least 7 metres over an indoor pool at the Olympic Games and world championships | WP 18.1.6; WP 18.2.5 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 14.1 to 14.3, 4.1, 7.2, 8.12 and 9.15. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).