SportsMaze

What can be checked on video in water polo, and can a coach ask for it?

I · Intermediate · Throws, referees and reviews · 11 of 11
Checked 14 October 2026

The referee may review eight kinds of decision, among them goal or no goal, a suspected violent action and a wrong entry. Each coach may also challenge one call a match. A coach who wins the challenge gets a second. A coach who loses it has no more for the rest of the match.

How it works

  • Who decides: "The final decision is always made by the referees." Only the referee can ask for a review. The video assistant and the delegate can alert the referee.
  • What the referee may review: goal or no goal; a goal scored as the possession clock or the period ends; errors at the table or in the electronic system; a shot at the end of a period while a player is excluded; a violent action; interference with a penalty throw; improper entry or re-entry; corner throw or goal throw.
  • When: at a suitable moment, and no later than the first attack after the incident.
  • The coach's challenge: each coach may challenge one call a match. The list covers an uncalled violent action, a penalty foul called or not called, and the situations above when they have not been reviewed already.
  • Not twice: a coach cannot challenge a decision the referee has already reviewed on video.
  • The signal: the coach presses the timeout button or sounds a horn and shows a green flag, or draws a square with the index fingers.
  • If it succeeds: the clock goes back to the moment of the incident. Goals, personal fouls and timeouts from the time put back are wiped out. Cards and exclusions for violent action or misconduct stay. The coach may challenge once more.
  • If it fails: the match carries on, and the team has no further challenge.
  • A challenge that is not allowed: a yellow card for the coach, or a red if they already have a yellow.

The glossary has the video assistant referee and violent action.

Tricky cases

Can a coach challenge an ordinary foul or an exclusion foul?

No. Neither is on the list of calls that may be challenged.

A challenge for a violent action shows the player was pretending. What happens?

The challenge fails and the team is treated under the rules for simulation. The other team restarts with a free throw.

Is a match replayed if the video system fails?

No. The protocol says a match "is not invalidated because of malfunction(s) of the VAR technology".

Must a review be quick?

No. The protocol puts accuracy ahead of speed: "there is no time pressure to review the decision quickly".

Why the rule exists

Much of the game happens under water or in a crowd in front of goal, where two referees on the side cannot see everything. Video is kept for the decisions that most change a result, and the single challenge stops coaches from using reviews to break up the game.

Where it differs

WhereWhat changesSource
World Aquatics events with videoAs aboveWP Appendix 7; WP Appendix 10
Penalty shoot-outThe video assistant helps with goal or no goal if neededWP Appendix 6 (20.6.1.3)
Other protestsPart One of the regulations has the general protest procedure.Part One, Article 13

From the rule book

World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Six: Water Polo Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Article 17.5, and Appendices 3, 7 and 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).

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