When does a foul become a penalty in water polo?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and cards · 5 of 11A foul becomes a penalty foul when a defender commits it inside the 6 metre area and a goal would probably have resulted. The other team takes a penalty throw from the 5 metre line. A few offences are penalty fouls wherever they happen, such as an illegal timeout or entering the pool when not entitled.
How it works
- The main rule: it is a penalty foul "for a goalkeeper or defending player to commit any foul within the 6 metre area if a goal would probably have resulted".
- From behind: impeding an attacker from behind inside 6 metres when the attacker "is facing the goal and making a shooting action", unless the defender touches only the ball.
- Two hands, fist, ball under: inside 6 metres, a defender who tries to block a pass or shot with two hands, plays the ball with a clenched fist or takes the ball under water when tackled.
- The goal: a goalkeeper or defender who pulls over, pulls down or moves the goal.
- An excluded player: who interferes with play on purpose.
- A wrong entry: a player or substitute who enters when not entitled, or re-enters in the wrong way.
- An illegal timeout: called by the coach or an official of the team without the ball.
- Stopping a probable goal or delaying: for example, a defender who throws the ball away before a free throw can be taken.
- Waiting to see: the referee may delay the whistle to see whether the attacker scores in the same action. If the shot goes in, the goal stands.
The glossary has the penalty foul, the penalty throw and the 6 metre area.
Tricky cases
Is every foul inside the 6 metre area a penalty?
No. The main rule needs a goal that "would probably have resulted". A foul inside 6 metres that does not threaten a goal is punished as an ordinary or exclusion foul.
A defender behind the shooter knocks the ball away cleanly. Is it a penalty?
No. The rule does not apply when "the defending player makes contact only with the ball".
The attacker is fouled from behind and still scores. Is a penalty given as well?
No. The referee delays the call until the shot is complete and awards the penalty "unless the attacking player scores".
Does a penalty foul count as a personal foul?
It depends on who commits it. A player's penalty foul is a personal foul. An illegal timeout or a delaying act by a coach or team official is not recorded against anyone.
Why the rule exists
A defender who fouls close to goal to stop a shot would gladly trade that for a free throw or a short exclusion. The penalty throw gives back the chance the foul took away. The delayed whistle exists so that an attacker who scores anyway is not made to swap a goal for a throw.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | WP 10.1 to 10.12 |
| Outside the 6 metre area | A two-handed block of a pass or shot is an exclusion foul | WP 9.6 |
| Last minute of the game | The coach may turn the penalty throw down and keep the ball | WP 15.7 |
| Coach's challenge | A called or uncalled penalty foul may be challenged | WP Appendix 10 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 10.1 to 10.12, 9.6 and 16.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).