The rule
Under the World Aquatics water polo rules (Competition Regulations Part Six, 2026), a team may keep possession for 28 seconds of actual play without shooting. After a goal or a change of possession the clock goes back to 28.
When a shot rebounds off the posts, crossbar or a player and the shooting team keeps the ball, it has 18 more seconds. After an exclusion it is 18 seconds or the time remaining, whichever is greater. Older rules used 30 and 20 seconds, and some national leagues may still differ, so set both times to the rules your competition uses.
In practice
Poolside, a phone in a waterproof pouch works as the remote. A laptop or TV at the side of the pool, out of the splash zone, is the display.
Want reps on the clock? Drill mode in Pro runs the clock, the rest and the next rep for you. Ideas: shot clock drills.
On match day
Training is the default: free, with the times you choose. For games, match mode in Pro follows World Aquatics timing. The reset buttons become 28 (new possession) and 18 (rebound or exclusion).
Questions
What is the shot clock in water polo?
Under World Aquatics rules: 28 seconds of possession, 18 seconds after a rebound kept by the attack or after a corner. Some leagues may use other times.
Is it still 30 seconds?
Not under the current World Aquatics rules, which use 28. Check your league: the presets can be changed.
Other sports
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