How do timeouts work, and what if a coach asks for one illegally?

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Each team may request two timeouts per game, each one minute long. The coach of the team in possession calls "timeout" and signals with the hands in a T-shape. A team has possession when one of its players is holding or swimming with the ball. A timeout may be requested at any time, including after a goal, but not during VAR review. Play restarts on your whistle, with the team in possession putting the ball into play on or behind the half distance line. If the timeout is requested between you awarding a penalty throw and its being taken, the penalty throw is maintained. Extra timeout by the team in possession: stop the game and restart with a player of the opposing team putting the ball into play at the half distance line. Timeout requested by the team not in possession: stop the game and award a penalty throw to the opposing team. That coach also loses the right to request a legal timeout if the team still has one. WPA youth championships differ: for 2025/26, the 13&U national championships have no timeouts, and 15&U and 17&U teams have two timeouts at any time (World Aquatics rules apply). Sources: World Aquatics Competition Regulations Part Six, Article 5; WPA National Technical Rules Overview 2025/2026.