How do water polo players swap in and out while the game is going on?
I · Intermediate · The game · 1 of 11Substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any time. During play there are two ways: the player swims to their team's re-entry area in the corner and the substitute enters from there, or the two swap in the flying substitution area at the side by touching hands above the water.
How it works
- Through the corner: a player may leave "at the team's exclusion re-entry area". The substitute may enter from the same area once the player "has visibly risen to the surface of the water" inside it.
- Flying substitution: the substitute enters the side area from behind the goal line. Both players must be in the water and outside the field of play, and they must "touch hands above the water".
- No waiting: if the substitute is not ready, the game goes on without them. They may enter later from the proper area.
- From any place: a substitute may enter anywhere during the intervals, after a goal, during a timeout or to replace a player who is bleeding or injured.
- Before a penalty throw: no substitution between the award and the taking of the throw, except for bleeding or injury or during a timeout.
- The bench: players not in the game sit on the team bench. Only the head coach of the attacking team may walk along the side, as far as the 6 metre line.
- A replaced goalkeeper: may only come back as a goalkeeper.
The glossary has substitution, the flying substitution area and the exclusion re-entry area.
Tricky cases
Is there a limit on the number of substitutions?
No. The rules read for this page set no number. A substitution may be made "at any time in the game".
A substitute swims in at the side without touching hands. What is the call?
A penalty foul for improper entry. The other team gets a penalty throw and the player is given one personal foul.
A player climbs out at the side of the pool without permission. Is that a substitution?
No. Leaving the water during play, other than after a substitute has entered, counts as misconduct unless there is an accident, an injury, illness or the referee's permission.
Can a team swap during a video review of a coach's challenge?
Yes. During the review of a challenge both teams may substitute from any of the re-entry areas.
Why the rule exists
Treading water for eight minutes of play at a time is exhausting, so the rules let teams rotate freely. Fixing the places where swaps happen stops a fresh player from appearing in the middle of an attack, and the hand touch shows the referees that one player has left before the other joins.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | WP 2.6 to 2.10 |
| A bleeding player | Ordered out at once, with a substitute entering straight away | WP 17.2 |
| A player out for the rest of the game | The substitute waits for the usual re-entry moment, or four minutes of play after a violent action | WP 9.13.1; WP 9.14.1; WP 16.2 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 2.2, 2.6 to 2.10, 9.4 and 10.12, and Appendix 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).