Water polo originated in the late 1800s at a time when interest in swimming races by British spectators was on the wane. Swimmers began playing "water soccer" as a side entertainment at races. When folks began to take interest in the competition as a serious sport, rules were drawn up and water polo leagues were formed. The first varsity match played under these rules was between Cambridge and Oxford universities in 1891, according to "Water Polo: Rules, Tips, Strategy and Safety," by Tracie Egan.
Teams
Each team has seven players, which includes the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper wears a cap to distinguish him from other players. Reserves can be used as substitutes. A team is allowed to have fewer than seven players after the start, and if the team is playing with fewer players, it is not required to have a goalkeeper, according to National Collegiate Athletic Association Rules.
Duration
The game lasts four periods, and each period lasts eight minutes. Time begins as soon as a player touches the ball. When the clock is stopped, it restarts as soon as the ball leaves a player's hand when the player is allotted a throw, or as soon as the ball is touched after a neutral throw, according to USA Water Polo. Players are allowed to touch the ball with one hand only.
Illegal Player
A player is deemed "illegal" if she has three personal fouls or if the player is an extra player. If a referee starts play and there is an extra player in the water, play stops, the player is removed and the clock is reset, according to NCAA.
Subs
Substitutes can enter the game as soon as the outgoing player breaks the water's surface in the re-entry area. This also applies to the goalkeeper. If a player subbing for a goalkeeper enters the field of play before the exiting goalkeeper gets into the re-entry area, the team has to play without a goalkeeper for the rest of the game. Also, substitutes cannot enter when play is stopped, such as when the clock is being reset, according to the NCAA.
Goals
Goals can be scored by getting the ball into the goal with any body part with one exception--a fist. Two players have to intentionally touch the ball after play starts for the goal to count. They can be from either team. The exceptions to this rule are: penalty throws, a free throw that a player gets into his own goal, an immediate shot from a goal throw, or an immediate shot outside of 5 meters from a free throw, according to USA Water Polo.
Substances
Players are not allowed to have substances on their bodies, such as grease. If a player is found to have something like grease on her body, she must remove it before re-entering the game. The clock does not stop while she removes the substance.
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