UVA-Wise Department of Intramurals
Inner-Tube Water Polo Rules 2008

• Inner Tube Water Polo will be conducted according to the standard eligibility rules as set forth by the Campus Recreation Department (3rd Floor C. Bascom Slemp Student Center).

• Participants must be listed legibly on their respective team’s sign in sheet prior to participating in each game and must sign the team roster form before participating.

• Participation by an ineligible player will subject the offending team to forfeiture of the contest that was protested.

• Teams will be given a sportsmanship score that ranges from 1-4.  The game officials and the on-site supervisor will give sportsmanship scores.  Teams that forfeit a contest will receive a zero sportsmanship score and two losses; their opponents will receive the maximum score.  Teams must maintain a 2.40 sportsmanship average to qualify for the tournament.  Teams that have two (2) or more games in which a player is ejected or games forfeited may not be eligible for playoffs.

• All participants must wear regulation bathing suits.  Absolutely no cut off shorts are to be worn.  Participants will be permitted to wear a T-shirt with no pockets over their bathing suits.

• No shoes on the deck.

• No jewelry will be permitted and earrings and piercings must be removed or completely covered with tape.

Players

• A team consists of five (5) players and a goalie.  A team must have present three (3) players and a goalie to prevent a forfeit. 

• If a team begins with four (4) players it may not continue if injuries, ejections, or other problems force them below four (4) players.  This will constitute a forfeit.

Playing Area

• The playing area consists of the entire pool.

• The retaining walls (Concrete) and beyond will be considered out of bounds.

• Five yards from either end of the pool will be considered the penalty area.

• The goal box will be two yards in front of the goal and from goal post to goal post.

• The game will consist of two 15- minute halves, with 3 minutes between halves.
  
• Teams will have a 30 second shot clock in which to attempt a shot on goal; shot clocks will be placed at both ends of the pool.  The shot clock will reset on attempted shots and new possessions.
  
• Time runs continuously except for time-outs and scores.
  
• Each team has one time-out per half and will receive one additional time-out for overtime.
  
• Time-outs may only be made by team in possession of the ball.
  
• Time-outs will not exceed one minute.
  
• Teams will swap ends to start the second half.

The Game

• To start play, players line up on their end of the pool facing the wall.  The ball is thrown in the center of the pool and players paddle their inner tubes for the ball on the official’s whistle.

• Players are permitted to push off from the end of the pool only to start a period of play.

• After a goal, the ball is put in play by the goalie just scored upon.

• When attempting a goal throw the ball must make contact with the water before mid-pool.  If the goalie paddles out of the goalie area, they may throw the ball past half court.

• Once the offensive team advances the ball beyond mid-pool, the ball cannot be passed back into the offensive end unless it is touched by a defensive player that causes the ball to go back into the offensive end (this is similar to the over-and-back rule in basketball; violation will result in a turnover)

• Teams have 30 seconds to attempt a shot on goal

• It is illegal for players out of their inner tube to touch the ball or another player.

• One or both hands may be used to catch and throw the ball.

• Penalty throws may be taken by anyone in the pool at the time of the violation/foul.

• When a whistle is blown players must stay in position.

• It is illegal for an offensive or a defensive player (other than the goalie) to be inside the goalie box.  The tube must be over the line not the body. 

• Players must be seated horizontally in their tubes in order to touch the ball, except for the goalie who may wear the tube around his/her waist.

• It is illegal for any player to hit the ball with a clenched fist.

• Unresolved out of play calls will be determined by alternating possession. 

• A tie score at the end of regulation will result in a 5-minute sudden death overtime.  If no one scores the game will be considered a tie.

Substitutions

• Substitutions may be made on the fly during live action as long as the substituting team does not gain an advantage.  Players must enter and exit the pool by their designated bench area that will alternate each half.
• Players entering the game must wait until the player being replaced is completely out of the pool.
• Players cannot jump into the tubes; they must climb into them in a seated position.  The only exception is the goalie that may choose to wear it around their waist. Infractions will result in playing a person down for one minute.

Dead Ball Throws

• Goal Throw.  A goal throw is taken by the goalkeeper anywhere inside the five-yard line within five seconds, after a member of the offensive team scores a goal, causes the ball to pass over the goal line or if a goal was taken in violation.

• Free Throw.  A free throw is awarded after a foul or ball out of bounds.  A team awarded a free throw must put the ball into play at the point where the foul or out of bounds spot occurred.  The player has five seconds to put the ball into play and must be touched by another play in order for a goal to be allowed.

• Corner Throw.  A corner throw is a free throw taken by the player on the offensive team where the defensive team caused the ball to pass over the goal line out of play.

• Penalty Throw.  A penalty throw is awarded if a defensive player commits a major foul within the five-yard area or if a player commits an act of brutality.  A penalty throw is taken from the five-yard line by any player on the offended team who is in the water when the foul is committed.  All players except the thrower and the goalkeeper must be outside of the five-yard area until the throw is completed and no player can be within five yards of the thrower.  The thrower must immediately and directly throw the ball at the goal.  A free ball results if the penalty throw is missed.  A ball that goes out of play is awarded to the opponent of the team that last touched.  Possession should be given at the closest corner near the five-yard line.

Infractions

All penalties result in a free throw from the spot of the infraction unless it is a penalty shot.  The opponent must be three feet away on a free throw.
Minor fouls:  Free throw given to opposing team.

• Holding onto the pool wall while in possession of the ball.

• Holding the ball under water.

• A goalie throwing the ball past mid-pool on a goal throw.  Take the free throw at the five-yard line of the offending goalie.

• The goalie holding onto the pool wall while catching or passing the ball.

• Pushing an empty inner tube away from an opponent.

• Deliberately splashing water in the face of an opponent.

• Hitting the ball with a closed fist.

• Goalie not clearing the ball out of the goalie area within 5 seconds.
  
• Pushing off of the sides of the pool.  (Except for the beginning of a half).

Major fouls:

• The offender is taken out of the game for 1 minute or until a goal is scored by the opposing team, whichever comes first.  Possession is given to the team fouled against.  The ousted player must reenter the water at his/her own team area.  The team must play down one player until the ousted player is permitted to return.
  
• Making body contact.  Holding with hands or feet or dumping an opponent.
  
• Reaching over an opponent’s back to obtain the ball.
  
• Interfering with a free throw.
  
• Misconduct/verbal abuse.
  
• Disrespecting the referee.
  
• Player persistently committing a minor foul.
   
• Offensive or defensive player playing inside the goalie box.  Does not result in a penalty shot unless touched.  The tube must be over the line not the body.  This will only be enforced when the ball is in the same half of the court as the goalie area where the offense occurs. 

Any player removed from a game by an official has 60 seconds to leave the pool area, otherwise his/her team will forfeit. That player will be suspended for at least the following game and must contact the Campus Recreation Department as to future status.

Any player who makes contact with an official will be ejected and suspended from intramural sports indefinitely.

Absolutely NO HORESEPALY will be allowed before, during, or after the game.  Offending individuals will be asked to leave the pool area and could be suspended from intramural play.

All other rules not listed on this sheet will by followed according to NCAA Water Polo Rules.