How many timeouts does a water polo team get, and who can call one?
I · Intermediate · The game · 2 of 11Each team has two timeouts in a game, each lasting one minute. Only the coach of the team in possession of the ball may ask for one. If the coach of the team without the ball asks, the game stops and the other team is awarded a penalty throw.
How it works
- Two each: "Each team may request two timeouts per game. The duration of the timeout shall be one minute."
- Who asks: "the coach of the team in possession of the ball", by calling "timeout" and making a T-shape with the hands, or by pressing an approved device.
- When: at any time, including after a goal. Not during a video review.
- What the players do: they return at once to their own halves.
- The restart: the team with the ball puts it into play on or behind the half distance line. Players may take any position.
- A timeout before a penalty throw: the penalty throw stays.
- A third timeout: the game stops and the other team restarts at the half distance line.
- A timeout without the ball: a penalty foul. The other team takes a penalty throw, and the coach loses any timeout still in hand.
The glossary has the timeout and the penalty throw.
Tricky cases
Can a coach call a timeout when the other team has the ball?
No. That is an illegal timeout. The other team is awarded a penalty throw.
Can a team call a timeout straight after scoring or conceding?
Yes. The rule allows a timeout "at any time, including after a goal".
Does an illegal timeout count as a personal foul against a player?
No. The rule says no personal foul is recorded for this offence.
Do unused timeouts carry into a penalty shoot-out?
It depends on a point the rules read for this page do not state. They give two timeouts "per game" and describe the shoot-out without mentioning timeouts.
Why the rule exists
A timeout lets a coach set up one attack, most often with an extra player. Limiting it to the team with the ball stops a defending coach from breaking up an attack that is going well, which is why that offence costs a penalty throw.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | Two timeouts of one minute | WP 5.1 |
| Head coach sent off | Another team official may still ask for a timeout | WP 16.3.3 |
| Coach's challenge | Signalled with the timeout button or a horn | WP Appendix 10 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 5.1 to 5.5, 10.9 and 16.3.3, and Appendix 3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).