Rules is the short list. This is the more comprehensive list of fouls you will see, and what they look like underwater.
Refs often play advantage: if the foul did not help the offending team, the refs will not stop play, and play continues.
Unclear call? Ask the ref after the game.
Stick and puck
Illegal advancement. Moving the puck with anything other than the playing surface of your stick. “Gloving” is the usual one. An accidental brush that does not help you is rarely called.
Illegal stopping. Blocking a pass or shot with glove, body, fin, or gear instead of your stick. Standing on the puck counts.
Stick infringement. Your stick hits an opponent’s body, glove, or stick before (or instead of) the puck. Reaching under a glove to swipe is a common version. Go for the puck from above when you can.
Free arm
Your non-stick hand cannot push, pull, or grab an opponent or their stick. Using two hands on your stick while you have the puck is also a foul.
Obstruction
Using your body to keep an opponent off the puck or off their path.
- Barging. Swimming into someone with shoulder, head, or free arm. Common when the puck sits behind you and you plow into a set defender. If they swam into your path (a moving pick), they may be at fault instead.
- Blocking. Parking in someone’s path so they cannot reach the puck after a flick or steal.
- Screening / shepherding. Two teammates swim together; the one without the puck walls the opponent off. If you are the support player, leave space under or beside you.
Incidental contact while both race for the puck is normal. Body-first contact that changes the play is what gets called.
Restarts and substitutions
False start / encroachment. Moving early, or into the exclusion zone, on a restart.
Illegal substitution. Wrong sub procedure, or too many players in the water. See Subbing Out.
Other calls
Out of bounds. Puck leaves the playing area.
Grabbing the barrier. Using the wall or barrier to haul yourself or hold position illegally.
Delay of game. Stalling a restart or wasting time.
Unsportsmanlike conduct. Rough or abusive play. Advantage does not apply; expect a stoppage.
No-goal. The puck entered the trough, but the shot does not count. See Scoring a Goal.
After a foul
Play stops unless advantage is waved. The ref signals the foul and sets a restart: equal puck, advantage puck, or a time penalty. Restarts and Protocols.