What is Flippaball?

  • Flippaball is a non-contact form of water polo that is fun for all ages.
  • Boys and girls as young as eight years old can sign up.
  • Elite players that represent our Club, State and Country started with Flippaball.
  • Melville Water Polo Club provides two groups of Flippaball:
    • Friday Flippaball (ages 8-12)
    • Saturday Flippball/Juniors (ages 10-16)
  • Melville runs Flippaball in term 4 through term 1 of the following year.

Duration of play

Flippaball games usually run for between 20 to 30 minutes depending on age and experience.

Starting the game

To start, players line up along the goal line. At the signal (whistle/siren) one player from each team swims towards the halfway line where the referee has thrown the ball. The player that wins the ball plays it off to his team mates who coordinate a play to score a goal.

Teams

Each team has no more than seven players in the water, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Each team can have up to six substitutes. The goalkeeper cannot go over the halfway line.

Substitutions

Substitutions can be made at the end of each quarter or after a goal is scored. An injured player can, and should, be substituted immediately.

Scoring a goal

A goal is scored when the ball passes completely over the goal line in the goal area.

Restart after a goal

When a goal has been scored the players move back to their own halves. A member of the team that did not score takes a throw from anywhere in their half to restart the game.

Catching and throwing the ball

Players may catch the ball with one or two hands but they must throw it with only one. Clenched fists may not be used. No player may hold the ball for longer than five seconds without passing it or swimming with it on the water.

Dribbling the ball

A player may dribble the ball by pushing it along in front of them. An opposing player may steal the ball from a player who is dribbling provided they make no contact with the player in possession and that they do not take the ball under water.

Goal throw and corner throw

If an attacking player throws the ball over the goal line outside the goal area (even if the throw is deflected by a defender) a goal throw is awarded. The goal throw can only be taken by a goalkeeper or the nearest attacker on the defending team.If the ball is last touched by the goalkeeper and travels over the goal line outside of the goals a corner throw is awarded. The corner throw must be taken on the 2 m line (a red cone near the side of the pool).

General

Coaches should regularly rotate player positions to let all players experience a variety of positions. One team should wear white caps and the other blue, except the goalkeepers who should wear red. If possible, the caps should be numbered from one to thirteen with the goalkeeper wearing cap number one. Coloured caps are permitted.