How is a penalty taken in water polo?
I · Intermediate · Throws, referees and reviews · 9 of 11Any player of the team may take it, from any point on the 5 metre line. On the referee's whistle the taker must throw at once, in one unbroken movement, straight at goal. The goalkeeper stays on the goal line, and every other player is outside the 6 metre area and at least 3 metres from the taker.
How it works
- Who and where: "any player of the team to which it is awarded from any point on the opponents' 5 metre line".
- The others: all players leave the 6 metre area and stay at least 3 metres from the taker. One defender has first right to the place on the 6 metre line on each side of the taker.
- The goalkeeper: between the posts, with no part of the body beyond the goal line at water level.
- The signal: the referee whistles and lowers an arm from vertical to horizontal.
- The throw: the taker "shall immediately throw it with an uninterrupted movement directly at the goal". The ball may be lifted from the water or held up, and may be taken back before the forward throw, but the movement must not stop.
- A rebound: off the post, the crossbar or the goalkeeper, the ball stays in play. Anyone may score from it.
- Wrong position: the referees warn once. A player or goalkeeper who still does not comply is excluded.
- The goalkeeper moves early: if the shot is not scored, the goalkeeper is excluded and the throw is taken again.
- Interference: a player who interferes with a penalty throw is out for the rest of the game, and the throw stands or is retaken.
The glossary has the penalty throw, the penalty foul and the goalkeeper.
Tricky cases
Can the taker fake the shot?
No. The movement must be uninterrupted from the whistle until the ball leaves the hand.
Does the fouled player have to take the penalty?
No. Any player of the team may take it.
The penalty hits the post and bounces back to the taker. Can they shoot again?
Yes. The ball remains in play, and "it shall not be necessary for another player to play or touch the ball before a goal can be scored".
A penalty is awarded as the period ends. Is it still taken?
Yes. All players except the taker and the goalkeeper leave the field. The ball is dead if it rebounds, so only the throw itself can score.
Why the rule exists
The penalty throw replaces a goal that a foul probably prevented, so it is made hard to save: 5 metres out, one against one. The single movement keeps it a contest, because a taker who could pump the ball until the goalkeeper committed would score every time.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | WP 15.1 to 15.6 |
| Last minute of the game | The coach may choose a free throw and keep possession, with the clock reset to 25 seconds | WP 15.7 |
| Penalty shoot-out | One referee controls each throw. The other players are on the bench or waiting outside 6 metres | WP Appendix 6 |
| Substitutions | None between the award and the throw, except for injury, bleeding or a timeout | WP 2.8 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 15.1 to 15.7, 2.8 and 9.16 to 9.18. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).