Rules & Ethics

USA Water Polo Rules & Ethics

FINA Rule Book

As the national governing body for water polo in America, USA Water Polo enforces FINA standards in its major national competitions. Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) is the International Federation (IF) recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administering international competition in the aquatic sports (its name translated from French is "International Swimming Federation"). FINA currently oversees competition in five aquatic sports: swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo and open water swimming.

Download the USAWP Playing Rules in PDF format.



USA Water Polo Referees Association

Codes of Conduct

To review the USAWP coaches' code of conduct, click here.
To review the USAWP players' code of conduct, click here.
To review the USAWP officials code of conduct, click here.
To review the USAWP Conduct of Championships, click here.
 To review the USAWP Conduct of Championships FAQs, click here.

Background Screening (Coaches) click here.
(Referees) click here.
FAQs (Coaches) click here. FAQs (Referees) click here.

Official Ball Sizes (by Mikasa) click here.

USA Water Polo national team athletes are subject to the United States Olympic Committee Codes of conduct, which can be reviewed by clicking here.

Statement of Ethics & Value

Public trust in the performance of USA Water Polo, Inc. (USAWP) is the bedrock of our legitimacy. Donors, volunteers support our organization because they believe in our mission and they trust us to carry it forward, to be a faithful steward of our resources and to uphold rigorous and exemplary standards of conduct.

USAWP is committed to earning this trust every day and in every possible way, including a willingness to go beyond legal requirements where appropriate to embrace the spirit of the law as well. It is up to everyone in our organization to carry out our mission with integrity, honesty, fairness, transparency, and a strong sense of respect for our membership and our public.

Referee Certification

There are five levels of rating and certification for referees. The levels are based on a current version of the previous USAWP "C", "B, "A", & "NATL". Those designations are still in use in conjunction with a numeric rating (1-5) with specific guidelines and criteria outlined to reach and maintain each level. Each level of certification will require the successful completion of a number of Instructional and Practical Elements as described below.  For more information, click here.

ODP Zone Head Referees

USA Water Polo oversees referees through ODP Zone Head Referees.  For a list of current members,
click here.

Referees must report game incidents to the ODP Zone Head Referees.  Click here for more.

Grievances

USA Water Polo requires binding codes of conduct for players, officials, and coaches.  Violations of these provisions can result in suspension or revocation of membership in USA Water Polo.
To file a grievance, please click here for more information.