Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Pool Dimensions
- Men’s field: 30 m × 20 m (98.4 ft × 65.6 ft) for FINA/World Aquatics and Olympic competitions
- Women’s field: 25 m × 20 m (82 ft × 65.6 ft) for FINA/World Aquatics and Olympic competitions
- Domestic and junior competitions may use shorter fields (minimum 20 m × 10 m)
- Minimum water depth: 1.80 m (5.9 ft); preferably 2.0 m (6.6 ft) or deeper — players must not touch or push off the bottom at any time
- Water temperature: 25–27 °C (77–81 °F) for international competition
3.2 Lane and Distance Markings
- 2 m line (red/red markers): Marks the zone in front of each goal; ordinary fouls by the attacking team inside this area result in a free throw at the 2 m line
- 5 m line (yellow markers): Penalty throw line; also defines the zone where exclusion fouls that prevent probable goals are upgraded to penalty throws
- 6 m line: Direct free-throw line used for certain restart situations
- Half-distance line (white): Center of the field; used for restarts after goals and at the beginning of each period
- Re-entry area: Marked on each side of the pool near the goal lines, where excluded players re-enter after serving their exclusion or when possession changes
3.3 Timing and Scoreboard Equipment
- Visible shot clock (30-second countdown) displayed on both sides of the pool
- Game clock showing actual playing time per period
- Electronic scoreboard visible to teams, officials, and spectators
- Buzzer or audible signal system for shot clock expiration, period end, and timeout signals