Senior Water Polo

Each team must have a minimum of 7 players in the water during a match.

A water polo match consists of four periods, each lasting 8 minutes.

A water polo ball has a circumference of 7-7.5 inches.

A water polo ball weighs between 14 and 15 ounces.

Only two players from each team are allowed to be in the penalty area at a time.

A player is ejected from the game after committing three major fouls.

A major foul in water polo results in the offending player being excluded from the game for 20 seconds.

A minor foul in water polo results in the offending player being excluded from the game for 10 seconds.

The goalkeeper is the player who guards the goal and prevents the opposing team from scoring.

The center is the player who is responsible for setting up plays and distributing the ball to the other players.

The defender is the player who is responsible for defending the goal and blocking shots.

The forward is the player who is responsible for scoring goals.

The utility is the player who is responsible for playing both offense and defense.

Hungary has won the most gold medals in men's water polo at the Olympic Games, with a total of 9 gold medals.

The United States has won the most gold medals in women's water polo at the Olympic Games, with a total of 3 gold medals.