The rules of the water polo game could change again, the International Aquatic Sports Organization announced.
Namely, they should be tested in the World Cup, but there is resistance - Croatian coach Ivica Tucak raised his voice publicly.
If the new rules take effect, the dimensions of the pool would be reduced from 33 to 25 meters, the time for the attack would be shortened from 30 to 25 seconds, as well as the time for the second attack from 20 to 15 seconds. Also, the sent off player would be out of the game for 20 seconds instead of 15, and a challenge for the coach (requesting a VAR review) of controversial situations would be introduced, namely - brutal play, penalty area, corner... It is emphasized that, if the coach's request is correct, he was entitled to a maximum of two more per game.
Tucak was clear, he doesn't like those ideas:
- The changes were initiated by Deneš Kemenj, the former trophy coach of Hungary. He contacted us, the coaches, and I replied in writing that water polo would not be the same sport then. Only the proposal for the challenge is justified - Tucak told the Croatian media.
The current rules are good, but some need to be corrected, according to the former coach of Jadran from Herceg Novi.
- We don't need 20, 30 exclusions. The matches are short, lasting barely 60 to 65 minutes. The main problem is the lack of interest, there is no audience, and this is a problem that must be solved. In Bergamo in 2015, we played in the World League according to new rules, with shortened dimensions. And it was said that they were initiated by Felipe Perone, and his Barceloneta play at noon in front of 200 spectators instead of six thousand in the evening. I know that many selectors are against change, but in world water polo they still want to try. The coach's attitude is not important - pointed out Tucak.
He has an idea:
- Primarily, a greater number of time-outs should be allowed. That's what people like to hear, and finally it gives coaches the possibility of additional tactical changes. The break should also be extended from three to five minutes, because every sport has a half time. Maybe we should add a bonus time-out in the last two minutes, like basketball has - concluded Tucak.
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