By Michael Randazzo, Swimming World Contributor
As the impact of FINA’s water polo rule changes—meant to speed up the game while reducing physical play—sinks in, there’s an immediate reality check for a sport that has been essentially the same for decades: how to fold the new rules into on-going play among European professional teams.
[FINA Approves New Water Polo Rules; More Changes Likely]
Reporting on the ramification of this situation is Francesco Grillone, who covers Italian Series A and B league play at WaterPoloItaly.com. He places blame for any confusion at the feet of FINA in waiting until December to approve the changes.
“I believe that in any case, in this story, whoever is wrong is FINA.” he said in a recent email. “The Extraordinary Congress had to do it last July so that [professional leagues] would start from the beginning with the new rules.
“Regulations cannot be changed in the running. Not so much for the players, but for referees and juries. And then there is also a not so small problem: not all pools have computerized time systems. So many [teams] will also have to face heavy expenses to change chronometers and so on,” Grillone added.
Confirming that—contrary to some comments—the Italian Water Polo Federation will finish its 2018-19 championship and cup play under the current rules, he also stated that LEN will finish Champions’ League competition using the old rules.
Everyone wonders what’s next for international polo. Photo Courtesy: Sportphoto.shop
But, it’s not just Grillone’s opinion in this matter that may prove instructive; he has spoken with some of the world’s most influential polo decision-makers, including Paolo Barelli, president of FIN and LEN; Sandro Campagna, head coach of the Italian National Team and Ratko Rudic, perhaps the sport’s most prominent helmsman and now the head coach at Pro Recco.
Speaking right after the December FINA Extraordinary Congress that confirmed the rule changes that have been experimented with in the summer and early fall, Barelli said of “changing the race” in mid-season, when LEN would have to coordinate new rules at 50+ matches every weekend—many with two referees—it would be better “not to change in January but with the next season.
“Every Saturday we have 55 matches between Serie A and B, of which 24 with double referees, so if the scores come back, the whistles should be 79 that will have to be directed towards these new rules.”
Like Grillone, Barelli pointed out that the new rules mean additional costs for the professional clubs, specifically in new timing equipment at the heart of speeding up the game.
Paolo Barelli, LEN President. Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
“The adaptation of the instruments that mark the times, not all of them can be modified,” he was quoted. “So, they will have to be replaced. We complain that ours is a ‘poor’ world, that we are without money. Who is going to say to many [teams] that have to change the whole electronic system these costs are not important?”
Campagna, preparing his Italian team for a grueling qualification process prior to the 2020 Olympics, agreed that the new rules will create a faster, more enjoyable game for spectators. However, in speaking with Grillone, he pointed to a cynical reality buffeting all sports: television’s impact in determining how contests are played.
The number of time outs was reduced, as was the halftime break—cut from five to three minutes—at the suggestion of the head of NBC Television [company] which produces the Olympic Games, because a game of one hour can be easily included in the Olympic’s television schedule.
“So, an important change is dictated by a television expert,” Campagna said.
He believes that the 20-second shot clock following a goalie save or in a man-up circumstance will speed up the game by reducing “static time” for setting up. Campagna also said that the new rule allowing a free shot after an ordinary foul six meters from the goal will encourage “creativity” for the best shooters.
Sandro Campagna. Photo Courtesy: HaBa WaBa
“Elements such as speeding up and individual growth of the players are positive factors; in my opinion the game over time will improve and will be more understandable to the public,” the veteran coach said.
With perhaps the most experience in both Olympic and professional play, Rudic’s opinion is particularly noteworthy, though he will not be coaching a national team going to Tokyo. Therefore, his belief that the new rules should immediately be applied to the professional league play is noteworthy.
“I always thought that when we change the regulations it would be good for everyone, from clubs to national, to apply them immediately, without delay,” he said to Grillone.
Addressing the issue of how the referees will adapt, the venerable coach said: “The new rules are not going to undermine [the referees’] work. They can be adapted immediately as we saw in the World Cup [in Berlin]”
Ratko Rudic. Photo Courtesy: FINA
Acknowledging that spectators—as well as some referees—had problems understanding what rules were being called, Rudic essentially said the men in white will get over.
“In that event they [got] booed normally, [but] there are no such big changes to justify a long period of adaptation.”
[FINA World Cup Underscores Big Changes Ahead for International Water Polo]
When it came to the question of how the issue of compressing Olympic polo into an hour compares with the demands of European professional matches—which are under not under time constraints dictated by American television—the winningest coach in Olympic competition said: “Everyone can do what suits them best.”
Brandon Gillespie
Dear Lin:
Rather than ponder just who “Brandon Gillespie” is (apparently there’s quite a few Gillespies out there!) I’d like to explain who Francesco Grillone is.
He’s been overseeing WaterPoloItaly.com for more than a decade. Mainly covering the Italian men’s and women’s leagues, Francesco’s commentary also focuses on all the biggest competitions in water polo, and he’s an outspoken advocate for the sport—IMO an invaluable voice in covering European polo.
Your correspondent