46 water polo terms defined, including eggbeater, hole set, dry pass, exclusion and six on five, each explained in a single line.
Water polo terminology borrows from basketball, soccer and swimming, then adds a layer of its own for everything that happens where the referees cannot see it. The words related to water polo below name the positions, the fouls and the shots, and the words associated with treading, pressing and swimming the counterattack belong to the same vocabulary. The water polo glossary further down puts all of them in alphabetical order for quick reference.
Must-Know Water Polo Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Ball under
- Cap
- Counterattack
- Driver
- Eggbeater
- Exclusion
- Goalie
- Hole set
- Man-up
- Offensive foul
- Penalty shot
- Perimeter
- Quarter
- Screen
- Shot clock
- Sprint
- Treading water
- Turnover
- Weak side
- Wing
- Advantage rule
- Backhand
- Ball out
- Dry pass
- Front court
- Goal throw
- Jump shot
- Major foul
- Pump fake
- Skip shot
Water Polo Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 2-meter line | The line two metres out from the goal. An attacker may not sit inside it without the ball. |
| 5-meter line | The line five metres out. Penalty shots are taken from it, and fouls inside it can become penalties. |
| Advantage rule | The referee lets play run on when stopping it would help the team that committed the foul. |
| Attacker | Any player on the team with the ball. The attacking roles are hole set, drivers, wings and the point. |
| Backhand | A shot released with the back of the hand toward the goal, thrown across the body without winding up. |
| Ball out | The call when the ball leaves the field of play. The team that did not touch it last restarts. |
| Ball under | The foul of pushing the ball under the water while being tackled. Possession goes over. |
| Cap | The numbered, ear-guarded headgear every player wears. Colors separate the teams, and the goalkeepers wear red. |
| Center defender | The defender marking the hole set. Also called hole D, and the most physical job in the pool. |
| Counterattack | The fast break upfield the moment possession is won, before the other team can set its defense. |
| Cross pass | A pass sent across the front of the goal from one side of the attack to the other. |
| Drive | An attacker's sudden swim toward the goal to break free of a defender and take a pass. |
| Driver | The fast, mobile attacker whose job is to swim those drives and finish close to goal. |
| Dry pass | A pass caught out of the air without the ball touching the water. Faster and harder to intercept. |
| Eggbeater | The alternating circular leg kick that holds a player upright and high in the water with both hands free. |
| Exclusion | A major foul that sends a player out of play for twenty seconds and leaves their team a player short. |
| Free throw | The restart given to the fouled team after an ordinary foul. It must be put into play without delay. |
| Front court | The half of the pool where the attack is set up, from mid-pool to the opponent's goal. |
| Goal throw | The restart taken by the goalkeeper when the ball goes over the goal line off an attacker. |
| Goalie | The keeper. The only player allowed to touch the ball with two hands, and only inside their own five metres. |
| Hole set | The center forward, positioned right in front of the goal with a defender on their back. The pivot of the attack. |
| Jump shot | A shot released at the top of a push out of the water, used to shoot over a blocking defender. |
| Kick out | Everyday name for an exclusion, from the player being kicked out of play for twenty seconds. |
| Lob shot | A high, arcing shot floated over the goalkeeper's reach into the far corner. |
| Major foul | A serious foul such as sinking, pulling back or holding an opponent. It is punished with an exclusion. |
| Man-down | Defending with one player fewer while a teammate serves an exclusion. |
| Man-up | Attacking with the extra player during an opponent's exclusion. Also called six on five. |
| Offensive foul | A foul by the player with the ball, usually pushing off a defender. Possession turns over. |
| Penalty shot | A free shot from the five metre line against the goalkeeper alone, given for a major foul close to goal. |
| Perimeter | The area outside the five metre line where the attack circulates the ball looking for an opening. |
| Press defense | Marking every attacker tightly rather than dropping back toward the goal. |
| Pump fake | Faking the shot to make the goalkeeper or a defender commit, then shooting or passing for real. |
| Quarter | One of the four periods a match is divided into. Their length depends on the level of play. |
| Referee | One of the two officials working opposite sides of the pool, calling fouls and exclusions. |
| Screen | Blocking a defender's path so a teammate can swim free into open water. |
| Shot clock | The limit on how long a team may hold possession before shooting, thirty seconds at senior level. |
| Six on five | The man-up situation itself, six attackers against five defenders and the goalkeeper. |
| Skip shot | A shot bounced off the surface of the water so it changes height in front of the goalkeeper. |
| Sprint | The swim-off at the start of each quarter, both teams racing from their goal lines for the ball at mid-pool. |
| Steal | Taking the ball directly from an opponent, usually as it arrives on a pass. |
| Treading water | Staying upright and afloat in place. In water polo this is done almost entirely with the eggbeater. |
| Turnover | Losing possession, whether through a foul, a bad pass or a steal. |
| Weak side | The side of the pool away from the ball, where defenders are usually fewest. |
| Wet pass | A pass thrown deliberately into the water in front of a teammate, most often to the hole set. |
| Wing | The attacking position on either side of the pool close to the goal line. |
| Zone defense | Defending space in front of the goal rather than marking individual attackers. |
#1 Ball Under
This is a violation that occurs when a player forces the ball underwater when tackled by an opponent. The foul is called against the offending player, and possession is turned over to the opposing team.
#2 Cap
The water-resistant headgear worn by players, which has ear guards and is numbered to identify each player. Caps are also color differentiated to distinguish between the two teams competing.
#3 Counterattack
A fast offensive play that happens immediately after regaining possession of the ball, aiming to catch the opponent’s defense off-guard. It is a swift transition from defense to offense.
#4 Driver
An offensive player who typically swims quickly and tries to break away from a defender to get open for a pass or a shot. Drivers are agile and have good ball-handling skills.
#5 Eggbeater
A leg-kicking technique used by water polo players to maintain an upright, stable position and elevation above the water. The motion resembles the beaters of an eggbeater, hence the name.
#6 Exclusion
A temporary ejection of a player, also known as a major foul, resulting in the player being sidelined for 20 seconds, allowing the opposing team to have a numerical advantage called “man-up.”
#7 Goalie
The player responsible for guarding the goal area and preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goalie typically has specialized skills and is the only player allowed to touch the ball with two hands.
#8 Hole Set
The hole set, also known as the “set position” or “center forward,” is a crucial offensive position located near the opponent’s goal. The player in this position works to create scoring opportunities by receiving the ball, holding position against defenders, and making plays either by shooting or passing to teammates.
#9 Man-up
This term refers to the advantage a team has when they are on a power play due to an opponent being excluded for a foul. It offers the team a numeric advantage, which they try to capitalize on to score.
#10 Offensive Foul
An offensive foul in water polo is called when the player with the ball pushes off a defender to create space. It results in a turnover, giving the opposing team a chance to take possession.
#11 Penalty Shot
Awarded after a major foul committed within the 5-meter area, a penalty shot gives a player an unobstructed opportunity to score from the penalty line while only facing the goalie.
#12 Perimeter
The perimeter is the area outside the 5-meter mark around the goal, where attackers work to maneuver and create scoring opportunities, often passing to teammates until an opening arises.
#13 Quarter
Water polo games are divided into four quarters of varying lengths based on competition level. The breaks between quarters allow teams to regroup and strategize.
#14 Screen
A strategic move where an offensive player obstructs a defender without the ball, allowing a teammate to swim into open water and potentially receive a pass.
#15 Shot Clock
A shot clock limits the time a team has to take a shot on goal, which in water polo is generally 30 seconds. If a shot isn’t taken in time, the ball turns over to the opposition.
#16 Sprint
At the beginning of each period of play in water polo, players from each team sprint from their respective goal lines towards the center of the pool where the ball is released by the referee. The goal of the sprint is to gain first possession of the ball, giving that team an early advantage.
#17 Treading Water
Essential for maintaining positioning and staying afloat, treading water involves a player moving their legs in a rapid, circular motion. It’s a foundational skill that provides stability and mobility during a match.
#18 Turnover
A loss of possession occurs when the ball is stolen by an opponent or when a player makes a mistake, such as a bad pass. Turnovers can quickly shift the momentum of the game.
#19 Weak Side
The side of the pool opposite the ball’s location, often less defended. Players may move to the weak side to create scoring opportunities or to balance the offense during a play.
#20 Wing
Position on the sides of the pool, near the goal but along the perimeter. Wings are agile players who facilitate plays, pass the ball, and make quick movements to outmanoeuvre defenders.
#21 Advantage Rule
Refers to allowing play to continue when the fouled team stands to benefit from not stopping the action. It aims to maintain the game’s flow and can result in advantageous situations for the attacking team.
#22 Backhand
A swift, deceptive shot executed with the back of the hand facing the goal, making it hard for defenders and goalies to predict and block. It adds an element of surprise to the offense.
#23 Ball Out
“Ball out” is called when the ball leaves the field of play, typically when it goes over the side or end lines of the pool. The game is paused, and play is restarted by a throw-in from the team that did not touch the ball last.
#24 Dry Pass
A technique where the ball is thrown to a teammate without it touching the water, ensuring a fast and accurate pass that is easier to catch. It’s essential for quick plays and maintaining control under pressure.
#25 Front Court
The area of the pool where the offensive team sets up its attack, generally from mid-pool to the opposing team’s goal. It’s similar to basketball’s half-court, denoting the area where scoring opportunities are developed.
#26 Goal Throw
Awarded to the team on defense when the ball goes out of bounds after being touched last by an opponent on an offensive play. It restarts play from the goalie, similar to a goalkeeper’s throw in soccer.
#27 Jump Shot
A shot at goal made by a player releasing the ball at the peak of a vertical leap, often used to shoot over defenders. Like in basketball, it combines height and precision to beat the goalkeeper.
#28 Major Foul
An infraction resulting in an exclusion, where a player commits a serious offense such as pulling back, sinking an opponent, or impeding movement. These fouls can significantly impact the flow and outcome of the game.
#29 Pump Fake
A deceptive move where a player simulates taking a shot, causing defenders to react prematurely. It creates openings for a real shot or pass by momentarily throwing off the opponents’ timing and positioning.
#30 Skip Shot
A skip shot in water polo is a type of shot where the ball is thrown in such a way that it skips off the surface of the water, making it challenging for goalkeepers to predict and block.
FAQ
What is an attacker in water polo?
An attacker is any player on the team in possession. The attack is built from four roles: the hole set in front of the goal, drivers who swim at it, wings on either side of the goal line, and the point at the top of the perimeter who circulates the ball.
What is it called when an attacker creates separation from a defender in water polo?
Getting free, and the swim that does it is a drive. Attackers also use a screen, where a teammate blocks the defender’s path so the driver can reach open water and take a dry pass.
What are the four parts of a water polo match called?
Quarters, also called periods. There are four of them, and their length depends on the level of play, with a break between each for the teams to regroup.
What is an offensive foul in water polo?
It is a foul by the player holding the ball, most often pushing off the defender to make space, and it costs the attacking team possession. The defending team restarts with a free throw.
What is a dry pass in water polo?
A pass thrown so it reaches the teammate’s hand without ever touching the water. It is faster and harder to intercept than a wet pass, which is dropped into the water in front of a player, usually the hole set, for them to swim onto.
They fall into groups: positions (hole set, driver, wing, center defender, goalie), fouls and penalties (exclusion, major foul, ball under, penalty shot), shots (lob, skip shot, jump shot, backhand) and swimming words (eggbeater, sprint, counterattack, treading water). The water polo glossary above collects all of them.
What are some Water Polo terms for beginners?
“Ball under,” “eggbeater,” and “hole set” are some Water Polo terms beginners should start with. These introduce essential gameplay mechanics like ball possession, treading technique, and positional roles.
What are some funny Water Polo terms?
“Ball out” and “pump fake” are some funny Water Polo terms that might amuse newcomers, referring to removing the ball from play and tricking opponents without actual intent to pass or shoot.
What is a famous Water Polo phrase?
“Man-up” is a famous Water Polo phrase, indicating a team has a numerical advantage due to an opposing player’s exclusion, emphasizing strategic play to capitalize on the temporary power play.
