5 Things You Need to Know About Exclusion Fouls in Water Polo

1. Know Your Fouls

Originally played in rivers and lakes, water polo started with very few rules and regulations. Once water polo caught on and became a more organized sport in the early 1900s, penalties and rules were defined. A big part of understanding water polo is understanding the fouls and repercussions for those fouls. Ordinary fouls are for minor things and result in the opposing team getting possession of the ball and getting a free throw. Exclusion fouls, however, are more serious fouls, which result in the player being removed from the game for a period of time or permanently, in some cases.

2. Fouls That Leave You Excluded

Fouls are a big part of water polo, even to the point of creating strategies to get the players from the opposing team to commit fouls. The advantage of this tactic is either receiving the ball or eliminating a player for a period of time. Players who commit an exclusion foul are removed from the game for 20 seconds or until someone scores a goal. Exclusion fouls are given out for the following reasons: pulling, sinking or holding another player; splashing another player in the face; interfering with a corner throw, free throw or goal throw; distracting a referee or being disrespectful; using obscene or insulting language; committing an ordinary foul while the ball is not in play; or kicking or hitting another player.

3. Perks for the Opposing Team

When a referee slaps a water polo player with an exclusion foul, it becomes a strategic advantage for the opposing team. They receive possession of the ball and get a free throw due to the foul. Also, because players receiving exclusion fouls are removed from the game for a period of time, the opposing team continues to play with one extra player. Teams often use the removal of a player to change their strategy since they have a one-man advantage. Goals are often scored after the referee assesses an exclusion foul.

4. They Take It Personally

Exclusion fouls are one type of foul that water polo rules label as personal fouls. A player can rack up personal fouls from committing exclusion fouls or penalty fouls, such as pushing the ball under water inside the 4 meter area or hitting the ball with a clenched fist. Personal fouls are recorded throughout the game, and any player who receives three personal fouls is no longer permitted to play. A substitute player can join the game after the penalty time is complete.

5. A Major Downer

Exclusion fouls usually receive a 20 -ype of exclusion foul that result in the immediate removal of a player from the game. These fouls include violence toward other players, refusal to listen to the referee or committing three exclusion fouls throughout the game.