Field of play: 30 m long × 20 m wide for men / 25 m × 20 m for women (NCAA-spec; matches World Aquatics); Water depth: minimum 1.8 m (NCAA championship: minimum 2.0 m for safety); 2-meter line: directly in front of the goal — offensive players may not be inside without the ball
Why people argue about this
People often assume that water depth is only a concern during championship games, forgetting that NCAA matches require at least 1.8 meters of water depth for safety reasons, which can lead to misunderstandings about compliance in regular season play. The confusion arises because this rule ensures player safety and the integrity of gameplay across all levels, not just championships.