BRIDGEPORT, Pa — National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Water Polo Secretary-Rules Editor David Alberstein released a rules interpretation and clarification pertaining to Penalty Throws.
Penalty Throws – How Taken
- Rule 9, Section 4, “Penalty Throws – How Taken,” was modified effective with the 2026 Men’s Season with the addition of the following sentence: “The player shall not release the ball inside the 5-meter line.”
- Questions have arisen regarding how this modification will be applied. Specifically, the issue is whether the officials will judge compliance with the rule by trying to assess the precise location where the ball left the hand of the shooter relative to the 5-meter line.
- Clarification: Rule 6, Section 1, Note states:” The location of a player is determined by the position of the center of the head relative to the 2-meter, 6-meter, half-distance, goal lines and the lines that define the Goal Area and the boundaries of the field of play.” The same principle applies to Rule 9 Section 4. The location where the penalty throw is released is determined by the position of the center of the head of the shooter relative to the 5-meter line. Hence, the shooter shall not release the ball with the center of their head inside the 5-meter line.
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