The basics

Water Polo at a glance

Players in water: 7 per side (6 field + 1 goalkeeper)
Match format: 4 × 5 to 8 min periods (by grade)
Pool size: 25m–30m × 20m (configurable)
Shot clock: 30s per possession (20s resets)

Built on World Aquatics international regulations as the shared foundation, with dedicated rules profiles for New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (USAWP club, NFHS high school, NCAA college), plus modified junior formats like Flippa Ball and Splashball.

Positions

Water polo has 7 named positions. Junior and small-sided formats use fewer of them, which is worth checking before you plan a rotation — the number on the pool is what sets how playing time divides up.

Goalkeeper (GK) — Protects the goal, directs defensive communication, and initiates counterattacks. Within their own 5-meter area, the goalkeeper may touch the ball with two hands, touch it with a clenched fist, and swim without restriction. Note on pool depth: Water polo rules generally prohibit all players from using the pool bottom to gain an advantage; exact goalkeeper provisions and shallow-water conditions depend on pool facility depth and the governing ruleset.
Centre-forward / Hole Set (CF — Pos 6) — Positioned at the 2-meter line directly in front of the opponent’s goal with their back to the net. The primary focal point of the offense, responsible for drawing exclusion fouls, executing quick sweeps/backhands, and creating scoring chances from close range.
Centre-back / Hole Defence (CB) — The defensive counterpart to the centre-forward. Marks the hole set one-on-one at the 2-meter line to deny clean entry passes, contest shots, and avoid committing exclusion fouls.
Driver (Perimeter Attacker — Pos 2 & 4) — Fast perimeter swimmers who move into attacking space, execute picks and drives toward the goal, create passing options, and take perimeter outside shots. Position 2 plays the strong-side driver (right-hander’s side); Position 4 plays the weak-side driver.

See all 7 water polo positions explained, including where each one is allowed to go and whether junior players should specialise.

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Reference and tools

Rules of the game

Formats, scoring, fouls, key terms and junior game durations by school year level.

Positions explained

Every position, what it does, and the areas of the pool it covers.

Free rotation tools

Rotation and lineup generators for netball, football and basketball — the same fairness logic applies to water polo.

With a Squaddie account

Drills, session plans and season programmes

The water polo coaching library — age-appropriate drills with setup and coaching points, ready-made session plans, and week-by-week season programmes — is part of Squaddie rather than free reference material. Your first team is free forever, so it costs nothing to look.

Year 3–4

Ages 7–9
FUNdamentals through to building the basics — fun, movement, catching, throwing, and falling in love with the game.

Year 5–6

Ages 9–11
Court awareness and positional play. Learning where to be and why.

Year 7–8

Ages 11–13
Team play and tactical thinking. Movement patterns, attack and defence structures.

Year 9–10

Ages 13–15
Competition-ready skills, structured training, and fitness conditioning.

Senior / Open

Ages 15+
Advanced tactics, strength & conditioning, and elite coaching frameworks.

Keep reading

Water Polo coaching resources