How water polo scoring works
Water polo scoring is one point a goal; the rules that make it hard to keep are the two clocks and the exclusions.
Four quarters
Eight minutes each at senior level, with a stopped clock. High school and youth games use shorter quarters.
Goals
One point each, from open play or a 5-meter penalty.
The shot clock
A team has 30 seconds of possession to shoot, reset by a goal or a shot that hits the goal; some rule sets reset to 20 after an exclusion or a corner.
Exclusions
A major foul sends a player out for twenty seconds, leaving the team a player down. A third personal foul ends that player's game.
Ties
International knockouts go straight to a penalty shootout of five each, then sudden death. Some competitions play overtime first.
What Score All does with these rules
Four quarters
Eight minutes each at senior level with a stopped clock, seven in many high school games and shorter for youth. The clock runs on the server, so the pool deck phone can lock without losing time.
Goals and the shot clock
Every goal is one point and resets the 30-second shot clock by itself. Tap Reset shot for a new possession; set 28 or 20 seconds if your rules use them.
Exclusions
A major foul sends a player out for twenty seconds, and three of them end that player's game. Tap Exclusion for the team and the count stays under its score.
Ties
League games can end level. Knockouts go straight to a penalty shootout of five each and then sudden death, or play overtime first. Both are settings.
Water polo scoring FAQ
How long is a water polo quarter?
Eight minutes at senior level, stopped clock. Many high school games use seven.
How does a water polo penalty shootout work?
Five shooters each from the 5-meter line, then one at a time until the tie breaks.
How long is a water polo game?
Four 8-minute quarters at senior level, with a stopped clock, so a game takes about an hour. High school and youth games are shorter.
How does a water polo shootout work?
Five penalty shots each from the 5-meter line, then one at a time until one team misses. The app ends the game when the result is settled.
Is there a free water polo scoreboard app?
Yes. Score All keeps water polo score with the game and shot clocks on any phone, with a live scoreboard link, a TV display and a stream overlay.