How does a water polo period start, and what happens after a goal?
B · Beginner · The game · 4 of 7Each period starts with both teams lined up on their own goal lines. A referee blows the whistle and releases the ball on the half distance line, and the players sprint for it. After a goal, both teams go back to their own halves and the team that conceded restarts.
How it works
- Lining up: players are on their own goal line, "about one metre apart and at least one metre from the goal posts". No more than two may be between the posts.
- Behind the line: no part of a player's body may be beyond the goal line at water level.
- The signal: a referee blows the whistle, then releases or throws the ball into play on the half distance line.
- Going early: advancing beyond the goal line before the signal is an ordinary foul. The other team takes a free throw.
- An unfair ball: if the ball falls to the definite advantage of one team, the referee gives a neutral throw.
- After a goal: players may be anywhere in their own half, with no part of the body over the half distance line. A referee whistles, and play resumes when the ball leaves the hand of a player of the team that conceded.
- A wrong restart: it is taken again.
The glossary has the start of a period and the neutral throw.
Tricky cases
Can a team score straight from the restart after a goal?
It depends on who has touched the ball. At a start or restart, a goal counts once at least two players, not counting the defending goalkeeper, have played or touched the ball on purpose.
Can a swimmer push off the wall or the goal at the start of a period?
No. Holding or pushing off from the goal posts or the ends of the pool at the start of a period is an ordinary foul.
Can a team-mate give the sprinter a push?
No. Assisting a player at the start of a period, or at any other time, is an ordinary foul.
Which team starts on which side?
The first team in the programme starts to the left of the official table. The teams change ends before the third period.
Why the rule exists
A sprint from the goal lines gives both teams the same chance of the first possession. Each period is started the same way, so no team is handed the ball four times by a coin.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | WP 6.1 to 6.4 |
| After a timeout | The team with the ball restarts on or behind the half distance line | WP 5.2 |
| After a stoppage for injury | The team that had the ball restarts where play stopped | WP 17.4 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 6.1 to 6.4, 7.2, 8.2 to 8.4 and 14.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).