PLAYING THE BALL INTERPRETATION
Please see below, the latest interpretation of playing the ball outlined by Water Polo Victoria. For further clarification please speak to your coach.
Playing the ball and attacking the played ball
“Playing the ball”: the ball must be clearly “played” as in the rule book. No spinning on the hand. The ball must clearly leave the hand, either up into the air or onto the water
Slow “playing the ball” will be strictly called within the attacking half of the pool from halfway to the 6m line. Within the 6m area players will have around 3 seconds to play the ball. This is the same in the back half of the pool unless a direct shot is taken after the free throw
The defender must immediately begin moving back after giving away a free throw. The expected distance is about 1m, then an arm may be raised as a block. There should be no moving in with the arm
If the attacker quickly plays the ball and the defender has not shown intention to move back, the defender should be excluded. If the defender has shown an intention to move back and the attacker immediately plays the ball, the defender may attack the ball.