Independent live scores — not affiliated with USA Water Polo.
Water Polo, Explained
New to the pool deck? Here’s everything you need to follow your kid’s games at the 2026Junior Olympics — the basics in a minute, then a plain-English glossary of every term you’ll hear a coach or the announcer use.
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The basics in a minute
The gameTwo teams try to throw the ball into the other team's goal — one point per goal. It's played in deep water, so players never touch the bottom; they stay up with an egg-beater kick (the app's namesake).
Four quartersA game is four quarters. Quarter length varies by age group at the Junior Olympics (roughly 5–8 minutes of running clock that stops on whistles), plus short breaks between quarters and a longer halftime.
Seven in the waterEach team has seven players in the water — six field players and one goalkeeper — plus substitutes. Only the goalie may use two hands on the ball (and only near their own goal).
The capsPlayers wear numbered caps: one team dark, the other light. The two goalies wear red caps (usually #1 and #1A). The cap number is how the scorer and the app identify who scored, was excluded, or drew a foul.
The shot clockA team has a limited time (a shot clock) to attempt a shot once it has the ball. Fail to shoot in time and possession turns over — which is why you'll see fast, urgent attacks.
How it's wonMost goals after four quarters wins. In a knockout (bracket) game that's tied at the end, the winner is decided by a shootout — see the glossary below.
Every term you'll hear
Water polo glossary
Exclusion (kickout)
The most common major foul. The offending player is excluded — sent out of play for 20 seconds (or until their team wins the ball back or the other team scores). While they're out, their team is a player short — see man-up. Also called a “kickout” or a “20-second.”
Man-up (6-on-5, power play)
The extra-player advantagea team gets after the other side is excluded: six attackers against five defenders plus the goalie. It's the sport's biggest scoring chance — a lot of goals come on the man-up. The team that's a player down is on the “man-down” (defending 6-on-5).
Five-meter penalty (5-meter)
A penalty shot, taken one-on-one against the goalie from the 5-meter line, awarded when a major foul stops a probable goal. It's water polo's version of a penalty kick — a very high-percentage shot.
FBU — Forced Ball Under
When a player holding the ball is pressured into taking it underwater, that's a Forced Ball Under — a foul on the ball carrier, so it's a turnover: the other team gets the ball. On Eggbeater a forced under counts as a defensive win for the team that forced it. (It is a turnover, not a “steal.”)
Sprint (swim-off)
The race to the ball to start each quarter: the ball is released at midpool and both teams sprint for it. Winning the sprint means starting the quarter on offense.
Shootout
How a tied knockout game is decided — like a soccer penalty shootout. Each team takes a series of 5-meter shots and the team that makes more wins. On Eggbeater a shootout result shows as “Shootout X–Y” under the final score (the regulation score stays tied).
Three personals (foul-out)
A player who picks up three exclusions in a game is out for the rest of it (a substitute takes their spot). It's why you'll hear coaches track their players' foul counts.
Hole / center (the 2-meter)
The center forwardwho sets up right in front of the goal (at the 2-meter line), back to the net — the focal point of the offense. The defender guarding them is the “hole-D.” Most exclusions and 5-meters happen in this battle.
Counterattack
The fast break the instant a team wins the ball — swimming it up the pool before the defense can set, for an easy chance. Water polo is won and lost on the counter.
Goalkeeper
The last line of defense, in the red cap. The only player allowed to use two hands on the ball (within 5 meters of their goal) and to punch it clear. A big goalie game swings a match.
For your first game
How to follow along
- Open Eggbeater and find your team.Open the free Eggbeater app (or app.eggbeater.app in any browser), enter your session code, and tap your team. Full walk-through in the guide.
- Read the scoreboard.The score, quarter, and game clock are up top. A goal ticks the number up.
- Follow the bracket.On the Bracket tab, My Path traces your team's route to the final — win, and you advance.
Common questions
Frequently asked
How long is a water polo game?
A game is four quarters. Quarter length depends on the age group at the Junior Olympics — roughly 5 to 8 minutes of clock that stops on whistles — plus breaks between quarters and a longer halftime, so a full game usually runs under an hour.
How many players are on a water polo team?
Seven players are in the water per team — six field players and one goalkeeper — with substitutes on the bench. Only the goalkeeper may use two hands on the ball, and only near their own goal.
What is an exclusion (kickout) in water polo?
An exclusion is the most common major foul. The player who committed it is sent out of play for 20 seconds (or until their team regains the ball or the other team scores). During that time their team plays a player short, giving the other team a 6-on-5 man-up advantage.
What is a 5-meter penalty in water polo?
A 5-meter is a penalty shot taken one-on-one against the goalie from the 5-meter line. It's awarded when a major foul prevents a probable goal — water polo's equivalent of a penalty kick, and a very high-percentage shot.
What does FBU mean in water polo?
FBU stands for Forced Ball Under. When a player holding the ball is pressured into taking it underwater, that's a foul on the ball carrier — so it's a turnover and the other team gets possession. On Eggbeater a forced under is credited as a defensive win for the team that forced it. It is a turnover, not a steal.
What is a man-up (6-on-5) in water polo?
After a player is excluded, their team is down a player for 20 seconds, so the other team attacks six-on-five — the man-up or power play. It's the sport's biggest scoring opportunity, so a lot of goals come on the man-up.
Why do water polo players wear caps?
Caps identify the teams (one dark, one light) and protect the ears. Each cap is numbered so officials, scorers and the Eggbeater app can tell who scored or was fouled. The two goalkeepers wear red caps.
How does a water polo shootout work?
If a knockout (bracket) game is tied after four quarters, it's decided by a shootout — like a soccer penalty shootout. Each team takes a series of 5-meter shots and whoever makes more wins. On Eggbeater the result shows as "Shootout X–Y" beneath the tied regulation score.
A plain-English guide to water polo rules and terminology for 2026 Junior Olympics spectators, from Eggbeater — an independent spectator app, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by USA Water Polo. Rules summaries are general and simplified; the official playing rules govern competition.