Rule 19r
Free Throws
SECTION 1 WHERE TAKEN
A free throw shall be taken at the place where the foul occurred, except:
a. if the ball is farther from the defending team's goal, the free throw shall be taken from
the location of the ball;
INTERPRETATION: If the ball goes out of the field of play in a lateral position,
usually the ball falls just outside the sideline of the field of play, within easy reach of the
player. If the player can reach the ball (without leaving the field of play), the player can
then take the free throw from this point inside the field of play.
b. if the foul is committed by a defending player within the defender's 2-meter area, the
free throw shall be taken on the 2-meter line opposite to where the foul was committed
or, if the ball is outside the 2-meter area, from the location of the ball;
c. in the event of an offensive foul, the free throw is taken at the location of the ball when
the foul is awarded (this pertains to both ordinary and exclusion offensive fouls); or
d. where otherwise provided for in the rules
A free throw taken from the wrong position shall be retaken.
NOTE: Improperly taken shots on goal should be treated like any other offensive
(contra) foul (free throw is taken at the spot of the ball). Examples of improperly taken
shots on goal are when the entire ball has passed fully over the goal line between the goal
posts and underneath the crossbar or strikes the goal posts, crossbar or the defending
goalkeeper directly from:
(1) a free throw awarded inside 5 meters;
(2) a free throw awarded outside 5 meters not taken immediately in accordance with the
rules;
(3) a goal throw not taken immediately; or
(4) a corner throw.
INTERPRETATIONS:
1. If the ball is in the air when an offensive foul is called, the location of the ball when the
foul is called shall be considered to be the location where the team awarded the free
throw takes possession of the ball, except if the ball is inside the 2-meter area, the free
throw shall be taken on the 2-meter line.
2. A free throw awarded outside 5 meters must be shot immediately in order for the goal
to count (see Rule 14-3 for definition of immediate shot);
SECTION 2 TIME ALLOWED
The time allowed for a player to take a free throw shall be at the discretion of the
referees; it shall be reasonable and without undue delay but does not have to be
immediate. It shall be an offense if a player who is clearly in a position most readily to
take a free throw does not do so.
SECTION 3 RESPONSIBILITY FOR RETURN OF BALL
The responsibility for returning the ball to the player who is to take the free throw shall
be that of the team to which the free throw is awarded.
SECTION 4 HOW TAKEN
The free throw shall be taken in a manner to enable the players to observe the ball leaving
the hand of the player taking the throw, who shall also then be permitted to carry or
dribble the ball before passing to another player. The ball shall be in play immediately
when it leaves the hand of the player taking the free throw.
NOTE: There shall be no undue delay in taking a free throw, goal throw or corner throw,
which must be taken in such a manner so as to enable the other players to observe the ball
leaving the thrower's hand. Players often make the mistake of delaying the throw because
they overlook the provisions of Rule 19-4 which permit the thrower to dribble the ball
before passing to another player. The throw can thus be taken immediately, even though
the thrower cannot at that moment find a player to whom to pass the ball. On such an
occasion, the player is allowed to take the throw either by dropping it from a raised hand
on to the surface of the water (Figure 1) or by throwing it in the air (Figure 2) and then
swim with or dribble the ball. In either case, the throw must be taken so that the other
players are able to observe it.
INTERPRETATIONS:
1. By definition, a player who picks up the ball and spins it in his/her hand has now put
the ball in play because in order for the ball to spin, the ball must have left the players
hand.
2. Swimming up to the ball and then moving away from the spot of the free throw
without picking the ball up and putting the ball in play shall result in a turnover for
failing to put the ball in play properly.