Welcome Parents! Water Polo is a growing sport here in Utah and we'd like to help you better understand the league and gain an appreciate for the great sport that is water polo!

What is water polo?

Water polo is a competitive team sport played in water between two teams of seven players each. The game consists of four quarters in which the teams attempt to score goals by throwing the ball into the opposing team's goal. The team with more goals at the end of the game wins the match.

The course is setup similar to a soccer field in terms of goals and course markers. Positions resemble that of basketball with centers, center defenders, attackers (perimeter players), and a goalie.

How is the game played?

Players are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool and have to tread water the whole time. Water polo players use a movement called eggbeater which is more efficient than the normal action of treading water.

Players can move the ball by throwing it to a teammate or swimming while pushing the ball in front of them. They can only hold the ball with one hand, other than the goalkeeper who can use both hands.

The match starts with a swim-off (AKA sprint). The ball is released in the middle of the pool with the players lined up along their own goal lines. The first team to reach the ball has the first possession of the game.

After each goal, the team who conceded resume the match with the ball. All players for each team must be in their own half at the resumption of play.

At the conclusion of four quarters, the team with more points is declared the winner. Ties are often determined by shootouts, although some leagues and tournaments may use formats such as sudden death. Collegiate water polo uses 2x3 minute quarters followed by a sudden death period to determine ties.

USA Water Polo Rulebook

There is an official rule book published by USA water polo. You can find it on there website here

Try Water Polo - Club Finder

Utah has a number of water polo clubs through out the state. All of our water polo clubs are interested in finding new players and are eager introduce the sport to your athlete.

Below is a map of clubs, find one closest to you and visit there website to find out how to join.

When is the season here in Utah?

Our primary seasons lie in the Fall (Aug-Oct) and the Spring (Feb-May).

The Fall is split into the High School league and the Youth league. The High School league caters to the run similar to a UHSAA sanctioned sport in hopes of establishing the appropriate criteria to get sanctioned. The Youth League caters to athletes ages 7-14. Between the High School and Youth leagues, our Fall season comprises approximately 300-350 games throughout the season!

The Spring is run as a club sanctioned event. Meaning that High School athletes can compete for any club, regardless of which High School the attend. This is a biggest season in the state. Between the High School and Youth leagues, our Spring season comprises approximately 700-750 games throughout the season!

There are a select number of clubs that operate year-round (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer). You can always contact the club director/Head Coach to determine if they are a year-round club.

What safety protocols are in place?

USA Water Polo is the governing body surrounding water polo throughout the United States (not just in Utah). Our league is sanctioned through USA Water Polo rules and guidelines.

All coaches, referees, and athletes over the age of 18 are required to complete SafeSport training prior to obtaining an active membership with USA Water Polo.

Guidelines for a Coach/Parent Partnership

Research is clear that when parents and teachers work together a child tends to do better in school. There is no reason to think that it is any different in youth sports. The following are some guidelines for how parents can contribute to a Coach/Parent Partnership that can help the athlete have the best possible experience.

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