Mandatory Parent Meeting Wednesday August 6th at 6:00pm on the MLK Pool Deck
Join a community that supports each other, works hard together, and celebrates victories both big and small. Whether you’re making your first dive or your hundredth, there’s a place for you on the team!
Water polo is the perfect combination of swimming, strategy, and teamwork. Whether you’re a swimmer looking for a new challenge or someone just looking for fun, water polo offers something for everyone. You'll get the chance to push your limits, develop new skills, and create unforgettable memories with your teammates. Best of all? You don’t need to have experience to get started – we’ll teach you everything you need to know!
Are you ready to dive into a sport that’s fast-paced, challenging, and fun? Join the Water Polo Team and build lasting friendships, improve your fitness, and become part of an incredible community!
Water polo is a team water sport that combines elements of soccer, basketball, and swimming. Two teams compete to score goals by throwing a ball into the opposing team’s net, all while treading water in a deep pool.
Objective of the Game
Score more goals than the opposing team by the end of the match.
Each goal is worth 1 point.
Basic Setup
Teams: 7 players in the water per team (6 field players + 1 goalie).
Match: 4 quarters, each lasting 7–8 minutes (game clock stops for fouls, goals, etc.).
Pool: About 20–30 meters long and 2+ meters deep.
Ball: Like a volleyball, but grippier and waterproof.
Basic Rules
No touching the bottom: Players must tread water the entire time
Use one hand: Only the goalie can use both hands; field players can only use one hand to handle the ball.
30-second shot clock: Teams have 30 seconds to take a shot on goal or lose possession.
Pass or shoot: Players can pass the ball to teammates or shoot it toward the goal.
Physical play is allowed, but pulling back, sinking, or hitting another player is a foul.
Common Fouls
Ordinary foul: Minor; results in a free pass for the other team.
Exclusion foul: Major; player is removed for 20 seconds ("man-down" situation).
Penalty foul: Called when a serious foul occurs inside 5 meters from the goal — results in a 5-meter penalty shot.
Key Player Positions
Center (Hole Set): Plays near the opponent's goal, often receives passes for scoring.
Wings: Located near the sides, help feed passes to the center.
Drivers: Constantly moving to open space or create shooting angles.
Point: Directs the attack from the top center.
Goalkeeper: Defends the goal and starts counterattacks.
Game Flow
Team wins possession from swim-off. Move the ball through passing or swimming. Look for a scoring opportunity. Take a shot before the 30-second shot clock expires. Defend when possession changes. Repeat through 4 quarters.
USA Water Polo - USA Water Polo oversees the Olympic water polo program, including senior, junior, youth and cadet national teams, as well as 20 different championship events annually, including the Junior Olympics, the US Open of Water Polo, and the Masters National Championships. With nearly 40,000 members, USA Water Polo is also the sanctioning authority for more than 500 Member Clubs and more than 400 tournaments conducted nationwide each year.
Riverside Water Polo Club - Riverside Water Polo (RWP) Mission Statement: RWP provides the most comprehensive water polo program in the Inland Empire. Our athletes develop the skills and experience for long-term success that is required to compete at a high level in high school and in college, through quality year-round coaching and competition. We develop our athletes’ swimming skills and fundamental water polo skills, while focusing on discipline, cooperation, responsibility, respect, commitment, composure and perseverance. We strive to help every individual athlete develop life skills that will greatly benefit themselves as well as their community.