Officials do their very best to call the fouls that they can and should. The officials are required by the rules to overlook even obvious fouls in an effort not to rob one team of an advantage situation in order to assess a foul against the defending team. It is also important to understand that it is virtually impossible to foul a player holding the ball. Please support the officials in their efforts. For a goal to be scored, the ball must pass completely beyond the goal line.
Goalkeepers have some special privileges in water polo.
They are allowed to grasp the ball with both hands and stand on the bottom within 4 meters of their own goal. Outside of 4 meters, they loose these privileges and are treated the same as other field players. Goalkeepers are restricted to their defensive end of the pool. This is an attempt to offer answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the game. I hope it helps.