Category: Rules
Type: Rule
BRUTALITY
In water polo, "Brutality" is a rule defined as a punch thrown at another player. Penalties for brutality are usually consistent, but there may be sligt variations as far as suspension lengths.
Anytime brutality is called on a player, that player will be ejected from the game immediately with no substitution allowed for his place in that game. This will happen at any tournament, but it is what happens in games following where things may differ.
Each water polo district or organization has their own set of rules that they abide by. In the case of tournament play, a brutality call can get you ejected from the tournament all together. If the penalty occurs in league play (a single match within a season of games scheduled) the penalized player could get a 1 to 3 game suspension. Depending on the specific league rules, officials will be very strict on enforcing a brutality penalty and suspension.
I urge coaches to be very strict in enforcing penalties of their own for players 'convicted' of the "brutality" call. A possible proactive remedy to avoid such situations involve communicating to your team that stiffer team game suspensions, and more bench time/less game time will be the team penalties for such a penatly. These team penalities will occur regardless of the league or tournament officials ruling on a penalty. "Brutality" is not good for the sport of water polo and should be discouraged as much as possible.
Submitted by: Coach Dave
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