Water Polo is like a combination of many sports, and is played in a deep pool 30x20 meters for men, and 25x20 for women. You can learn about water polo very quickly if you appreciate the similarities between it and other games. However, the combination of unique aspects is what makes water polo so dynamic.

The main element: the game is played in water, which makes it difficult for the referee to see exactly what is going on underneath the surface of the water. Players may use subtle pushes and holds to improve their positions. Additionally, simply playing in the water adds a dimension of difficulty no found in other sports.

Another interesting point is the way water polo rules distinguish between degrees of physical contact. The four rules that deal with contact are: impeding (swimming over someone), pushing, holding and brutality. With the exception of brutality (intentionally striking the opponent), these rules do not apply when an opponent is holding the ball. In other words, they can be tackled. However, impeding and pushing are generally considered minor or ordinary fouls. To hold, sink or pull back an opponent not holding the ball is considered a major foul.

• Players score through rectangular goals defended by a goal keeper.
• There are three types of free kicks:
  Indirect - Ordinary foul inside the 7-meter (green mark, in water polo); no shot allowed.
  Direct - Ordinary foul outside the 7-meter; immediate shot at goal is permitted.
  Penalty - For any major fouls within the penalty area (4-meter) that would have prevented a probable goal.
• Offsides - This only applies in water polo when the player is inside the area two (2) meters in front of the goal. Of course, a player cannot be offside when he/she is in possession of the ball.

• Teams must shoot at a goal within an allotted amount of time after gaining possession. In water polo, it is a 35-second shot clock.
• There are two types of fouls:
  Ordinary - These are like violations in basketball and penalize minor breaches of the rules.
  Major - These are like personal founds in basketball. In water polo, they result in a "kick out" which creates an extra-man opportunity, or a penalty shot.
• In water polo, players get three (3) major fouls before they are removed from the game. In basketball, a player who is charged with five (5) fouls (high school and college) or six (6) fouls (professional) is then removed from the game. An unlimited number of minor or ordinary fouls are permitted in water polo.
• The clock is stopped every time the referee blows the whistle, extending the game from four periods of seven minutes (28 minutes of game time) to about an hour of elapsed time.
• In basketball, a player takes a position close to the basket or goal. This player is called the center, and his position is called the post. The function of this player is to score, or distribute the ball to other players (forwards and guards) who will score. Water polo's equivalent position is the center forward, "hole-set," "hole" or "2-meter." This position tries to take up position in front of the opponent's goal, two meters away at the offside line.

Players are sent to the penalty box if they are assessed a major foul, except in the case of a penalty shot. In water polo, players are sent out of the playing area for 20 seconds, until a goal is scored, or the defending team regains possession. The exclusion area is in the corner of the playing area.

• Water polo is a contact sport, and a player holding the ball may be tackled, provided the player is making a play for the ball.
• The rules protect players from excessive violence. In water polo, when the ball is released by a player is possession of the ball, there is often a foul and a free pass, provided the player who was fouled has control of the ball.

Watch how the two work against each other: the defender will deliberately commit an ordinary foul because the attacker cannot shoot from the resulting free throw.

In ice hockey, there is a zone defense vs. zone attack after a player is excluded or "sent off" usually for several minutes. In water polo, there are only 20 seconds of advantage so the power play must be executed quickly.

Most close matches are decided on the power play, or "6-on-5" situation.

Remember, throughout the game players cannot use any means to stay afloat other than their arms and legs (except for the occasional rest gained by using another player for buoyancy!).