Water polo is an exciting and fast-paced sport that requires a lot of skill and strategy. One of the most common penalties in water polo is called a drawn ejection.
A drawn ejection occurs when a player commits a foul that is deemed serious enough to warrant being ejected from the game. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as grabbing, holding, or kicking an opponent, or interfering with the ball in an illegal way. When a player is ejected, they must leave the pool and cannot be replaced by another player for the remainder of the game.
Understanding the rules of water polo, including the consequences of committing a foul, is crucial for players and spectators alike.
Knowing what constitutes a drawn ejection and how it can impact the game can help players make better decisions on the field and give fans a deeper appreciation for the sport.
What is a Drawn Ejection in Water Polo?
Definition
A drawn ejection in water polo occurs when an attacking player is fouled by a defending player, resulting in the defending player being excluded from the game for 20 seconds or until the next goal is scored. The term “drawn” refers to the attacking player causing the ejection by drawing a foul from the defending player.
Purpose
The purpose of a drawn ejection is to provide an advantage to the attacking team by removing a defender from the game for a short period of time.
This creates more space for the attacking team to move the ball and potentially score a goal. It also serves as a deterrent for defending players to commit fouls, as they risk being excluded from the game and leaving their team at a disadvantage.
Drawn ejections are a common occurrence in water polo and can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. It requires skill and strategy from the attacking team to draw fouls and take advantage of the resulting ejections. Defending teams must be disciplined and avoid committing fouls to prevent giving their opponents an advantage.
How is a Drawn Ejection Awarded?
Fouls That Result in a Drawn Ejection
In water polo, a drawn ejection is awarded when a player commits a major foul that results in their ejection from the game. Some of the fouls that can lead to a drawn ejection include:
- Brutality: intentionally hurting another player
- Violent behavior: hitting, kicking, or punching another player
- Obscene language or gestures: using inappropriate language or gestures towards officials, opponents, or teammates
- Receiving three major fouls: if a player commits three major fouls during a game, they will be ejected and cannot return to the game
Referee Signals for a Drawn Ejection
When a player commits a foul that results in a drawn ejection, the referee will signal the ejection by blowing their whistle and pointing towards the player.
The referee will also show a red card to indicate the player’s ejection. The ejected player must leave the pool immediately and cannot return to the game.
It’s important to note that a drawn ejection can have a significant impact on the team’s performance, as it means they will be playing with one less player for the remainder of the game. As such, players must be careful to avoid committing fouls that could lead to a drawn ejection.
What Happens After a Drawn Ejection?
Player Exclusion
After a drawn ejection in water polo, the offending player is excluded from the game for 20 seconds. The player is required to exit the playing area and remain on the sideline during this period.
The excluded player can only re-enter the game once the 20 seconds have elapsed or if the opposing team scores a goal.
Power Play
When a player is excluded from the game after a drawn ejection, their team is left with one less player in the pool. This creates a power play opportunity for the opposing team, giving them a numerical advantage.
The team with the extra player can use this opportunity to move the ball around more easily and create scoring opportunities.
During a power play, the attacking team will typically position themselves in a 3-3 formation, with three players at the top of the pool and three players at the bottom.
The idea is to create space and move the ball around quickly to create gaps in the defense. The defending team will typically use a 4-2 formation, with four players in a line across the goal and two players at the top of the pool.
The defenders will try to pressure the ball and prevent the attacking team from creating scoring opportunities. If the attacking team is successful in scoring a goal during the power play, the excluded player can then re-enter the game.
However, if the attacking team is unable to score a goal during the 20-second exclusion, the excluded player can only re-enter the game once the next quarter starts.
Overall, a drawn ejection can have a significant impact on the game of water polo. It can create power play opportunities for the opposing team and force the excluded player’s team to defend with one less player in the pool.
Conclusion
Water polo is a game that requires a lot of skill, strategy, and teamwork. One of the most important aspects of the game is understanding the rules and regulations that govern it.
In particular, understanding what a drawn ejection is can help players, coaches, and spectators alike better understand the flow of the game.
As we have seen, a drawn ejection occurs when an offensive player is fouled by a defensive player, resulting in the defensive player being ejected from the game for 20 seconds. During this time, the offensive team has a man advantage and can try to score a goal. If they are successful, the ejected player can re-enter the game.
It is important to note that a drawn ejection is not the same as a regular ejection. In a regular ejection, a player is ejected from the game for the remainder of the match. In contrast, a drawn ejection is a temporary penalty that lasts only 20 seconds or until a goal is scored.
Overall, understanding the concept of a drawn ejection is crucial for anyone who wants to fully appreciate the game of water polo.
Whether you are a player, coach, or spectator, knowing the rules and regulations can help you better understand the strategy and tactics that are used in this exciting and dynamic sport.
