How do I run the shot clock?

A team may keep possession without shooting at the opponent's goal for no more than 28 seconds of actual play. The timekeepers keep this time and operate the shot clock, setting and resetting it as possession starts or changes. The referees keep overall authority on possession and can direct the timekeepers.

Possession starts when a player gains the ball. The clock is reset when the other team gains possession, or when a player shoots (the ball leaves the hand with the intention of shooting and scoring, whether or not it is accurate).

After a shot:

• Goal: reset to 28 seconds.
• Ball rebounds into play off the post, crossbar or another player and nobody gains possession: reset, but do not restart until a player gains possession. If the shooting team regains it, it has 18 seconds. If the other team gains it, 28 seconds.
• Ball leaves the side line: reset to 28 seconds (except in the 18-second cases below).

Reset to 18 seconds (irrespective of time left) after a penalty throw with no change of possession, after a corner throw, and after certain side-line free throws caused by the team without possession or a goalkeeper blocking a shot. After an exclusion foul with no change of possession, the team gets the greater of 18 seconds or the time left on the clock if more than 18 seconds remained.

If a team holds possession past the limit without shooting, an ordinary foul is awarded.

Source: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (February 2026), Part Six, Articles 3.10.4, 8.3 and 9.