How does the shot clock work?

Under World Aquatics rules (Part Six, Article 9), a team may keep the ball for 28 seconds of actual play without shooting. If it doesn't shoot in time, it's an ordinary foul and the other team gets a free throw.

The clock resets when the other team gains possession or when your team shoots (a throw intended to score counts, even if it's off target).

18 seconds instead of 28:

• Your team gets the ball back after a shot rebounds off the posts, crossbar, goalkeeper or another player.
• After a corner throw.
• After a penalty throw that doesn't change possession.
• After a free throw for the ball going out over the side line off a defender's deliberate play, or off the goalkeeper's block.
• After an exclusion foul that leaves your team with the ball: you get 18 seconds, or the time left if more than 18.

A fresh 28 seconds applies after a goal, a goal throw, a neutral throw, or a change of possession from a penalty throw.

At the 2026 SSA U16 Nationals, the competition rules confirmed the reduction from 30 to 28 seconds possession, and from 20 to 18 seconds for corners, rebounds and exclusions.