CAMPUS RECREATION INTRAMURAL SPORTS 2015-2016 INNER TUBE WATER POLO RULES INNER TUBE WATER POLO IS A CONTACT SPORT, AND INJURIES ARE A POSSIBILITY. THE INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURIES; HOWEVER, BASIC FIRST AID WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE GAME WILL BE PLAYED ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION HIGH SCHOOL RULES WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS: STARTING THE GAME CO-REC 1. START TIME: Teams are to be at the pool and signed in before the official game time. If a team is not at the pool and ready to play at the scheduled game time, that game will be declared a forfeit. It is recommended that teams arrive at the game site fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time. 2. IDENTIFICATION: All participants must bring their current valid UNC identification card to the court area in order to be checked in and ruled eligible to participate prior to the beginning of each game. Late arriving players must sign in with a supervisor before entering the game. 3. SCORING: Intramural Staff will keep the official score and clock at the scorer s table. 4. TEAMS: Six (6) players constitute a team. There will be three (3) male players and three (3) female players. The goalkeeper can be either a male or a female. If a male goalkeeper is used, there will be two (2) male field players and three (3) female field players. If a female goalkeeper is used, there will be three (3) male field players and two (2) female field players. A team may play with as few as four (4) players; however, teams may have no more than four and no less than 2 players of one gender in the pool at all times. 5. GAME EQUIPMENT: It is recommended that participants wear matching t-shirts. T-shirts keep the inner tube from rubbing against bare skin and decreases the chance of other possible injuries. UNC Intramural Sports will provide a game ball. 6. UNIFORMS: Teams are encouraged to wear contrasting color uniforms, in the absence of uniforms the color of the inner-tubes is the only way to tell teams apart. PLAYING THE GAME 1. GAME TIME: The game will consist of two (2) halves of fourteen (14) minutes, running time, with a three (3) minute half time. Time will be kept by the intramural staff. Teams change goals at half-time. 2. OVERTIME: There is no overtime during the regular season. During tournament play, if the game score is tied after regulation time, a sudden death four (4) minute overtime period will be played. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, three player shootout on penalty throws will occur. If there is no winner at that point, then it will be followed by a "Sudden Death Throwout". Only players in the pool at the end of regulation play may take the penalty throws. Throwers will alternate male-female.
3. TIME OUTS: Each team will be allowed two 1-minute timeouts per half. Timeouts must be called by the player in control of the ball. 4. MERCY RULE: A game will be ended if a team is ahead by ten (10) goals at or after halftime. 5. STARTING THE GAME: At the start of each half, teams line up at each end of the pool in contact with the far wall. Play begins when the front court referee blows their whistle and tosses the ball in the middle of the pool. Players may use the wall to push off after the whistle sounds. The first team that secures the ball gains possession. 6. SCORING: Two points for a goal by a woman; one point for penalty throw. One point for a goal by a man, this includes penalty throws. The ball may be shot for a goal from any point outside the goal line. The ball must pass fully over the goal line between the goal posts. A point will be counted if it hits the goalie s tube or any part of the goalie s body and goes in the goal. A goal is DISALLOWED if during the process of scoring, the scorer falls out of their inner- tube on their own. If the shooter scores and is legally dumped out of their inner-tube the goal is ALLOWED. 7. HOW TO PLAY: After each goal the ball is put back in play by the goalie just scored upon. This will be allowed after subs have entered and the referee sounds the ready for play whistle. No player may leave his/her inner tube and must be seated in the tube; maneuvering or touching the ball when a player is not correctly in his/her tube constitutes a technical foul and a free throw for the other team. The correct position is arms and legs over the tube while sitting in the tube. One or both hands may be used to pass, catch, or throw the ball. Players may not hold on to or push off of the walls or goal area while in possession of the ball. A player cannot use a teammate to leverage themselves or gain unfair advantage. The defensive player may seize or knock the BALL from the possession of the player holding the ball (avoiding body contact). Incidental and accidental body contact is a personal foul. Players are NOT ALLOWED to strike the ball with their fist; such acts are personal fouls (exception: goalkeeper) Players are NOT ALLOWED to use their feet to knock the ball out of the possession of another player or to score a goal. Only a player in possession of the ball may be dumped. Possession of the ball is a judgment call by the official & may be defined as having control of the ball or ability to maneuver the ball. (A player may be considered in control of the ball if the ball is being maneuvered by the player s body or tube.) A player may not use feet or arms underwater to hold on to an opposing player or their tube. 8. GOAL KEEPING: The goalie may be male or female. The goalie may not hold on or push off the goal posts while blocking a shot. Only the designated goalie may be in the GOAL AREA (the area between the defending team s goal posts & 6 feet toward the center of the pool see diagram). No player or tube except the goalie is permitted in this area for safety reasons. Penalty: Goal Throw No player (includes tube) can shoot at the goal from inside the 2 yard line GOAL AREA. Players may enter the goal box but they may not assist in guarding the goal or wait for a shot from within the goal box. A penalty throw will be awarded to the opposing team if a player, who is not the goalie, blocks a shot in the goal box. Goalkeeper may not throw the ball more than half of the pool. Penalty: Free Throw from the center line.
Goalie may leave the crease, however they may not leave their inner tube to stop a goal. If this occurs and the shot does not score a penalty throw will be awarded. The goalkeeper must pass the ball after possession of no more than (5) seconds. Following a goal, the count begins after the official sounds his/her whistle. The goalie cannot swim out of the goalkeeper s area with possession of the ball. Goalie cannot dump a player at any time! 9. FREE THROWS On all free throws the ball must be passed within 5 seconds to a teammate before an attempt for a goal may be made. All other players must be 3 feet away. 10. PENALTY SHOTS Penalty throws will be awarded when: A major foul is committed. A defensive player other than the goalkeeper blocks a shot within the two yard line. There is a foul committed in the penalty area which, in the opinion of the referee, prohibits a clear-cut chance of scoring (e.g. breakaway). A team completes a COMBINATION of six VIOLATIONS OR FOULS (6th, 12th, 18th, etc.). The fouled player taking the penalty throw must line-up on the penalty line. The referee will say shooter ready ; the player throwing the ball must raise their arm with the ball in it and the referee will blow the whistle. The ball must be thrown with no hesitation and no faking allowed; otherwise the penalty throw is lost. All players except the goalie must be outside the penalty line and at least 3 feet away from the person taking the penalty throw. Whether the goal is made or missed, the ball is put back in play by a goal throw after the referees ready for play whistle. 11. FACE OFF This occurs in the case of a double foul or a tie ball. The two players involved sit in their inner tubes 3 feet apart, with their backs toward each other. They line up along the wall but may not touch the wall. Everyone else must be at least 2 yards away. The ball is dropped between the 2 players and is in play as soon as it touches the water. 12. OUT OF BOUNDS The opponent of the team that is responsible for the ball being out of bounds will be awarded a free throw. For example: If team A knocks the ball out of bounds, the team B player closest to where the ball went out will be given a free throw. If the ball goes out of bounds near the goal area, the defending goalie will be awarded a goal throw. IF the defense put the ball out, the offense will start with a free throw from outside the penalty line. Any shot on goal that goes out of bounds will be awarded to the defending goalie; even if the ball went out of bounds off a defender. 13. INADVERTENT WHISTLE: A free throw will be awarded to the team holding, shooting, dribbling or passing the ball. If neither team is in control, a face-off will be called. 14. FOULS, VIOLATIONS & PENALTIES VIOLATIONS: Penalty = Free throw on the spot where the infraction occurred
Starting play before the referee blows the whistle. Intentionally delaying the game (the opposing team will be awarded the ball for a free throw on the goal line of the team being penalized.) Striking the ball with a clenched fist (goalie exempted). Any player going over their opponent s goal line without the intention of retrieving the ball. (If the player is forced over, but attempts to get out, NO FOUL) Touching the ball before it reaches the water on a face-off. On taking a free throw, throwing directly at goal (the ball must first be thrown to a teammate). Holding on to the wall while in possession of the ball. Having possession in the GOAL AREA or shooting from the GOAL AREA PERSONAL FOULS: Penalty: Free throw on the spot where the infraction occurred Deliberately splashing water in the face of an opponent. Goalie interference/ HOLDING ANY PLAYER Committing any technical foul for the purpose of scoring or preventing a score. Contacting the body of a player with the ball. (However his or her inner tube may be dumped). Holding on to or dumping a player that is not in control of the ball. (However you may get in their way) 15. MAJOR PENALTIES: Player attacking, striking, or kicking an opponent in such a manner as, in the opinion of the official it endangers the participants. UNNECESSARY OR INTENTIONAL BODILY CONTACT WITH ANY PLAYER Flagrantly refusing obedience to the official s request. Pushing OR holding an opponent under water. Exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct. If a player is removed from a game, due to a major foul, a substitute player may enter the game in place of the disqualified player. Penalty: Offending player shall be removed from the remainder of the game. A penalty throw will be awarded. The official s decisions are final. The official shall have the power to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the rules. **Controlling the ball is a judgment call by the referee determined by looking for the following things: 1- Are the hands of the player nearest the ball in the air? 2- Is the ball moving with or close to the player in question? GOALKEEPER DELAY: The goalkeeper has five (5) seconds to put the ball back in play after he/she gains possession. If not, the opposing team will receive a free throw from the penalty line. SPORTSMANSHIP UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Any unsportsmanlike conduct including, but not limited to, arguments with officials by any coach, manager, or spectator, flagrant fouling, fighting, etc. will result in expulsion of that individual and/or team from further participation in that scheduled game. Officials/supervisors have the authority to impose penalties for teams behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT FOUL LIMIT: If two (2) players are ejected from a game, that game will be ended and that team will receive a loss and a zero (0) sportsmanship rating, regardless of the score and the time remaining. BENCH CONDUCT: All substitutes, coaches, and spectators must adhere to Intramural Sports and CRC rules, and are subject to the authority of the Intramural Sports Supervisor and all sportsmanship-related rules and policies. DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO POLICY: Teams and fans are not permitted to bring alcohol and/or drugs, or come under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Teams and fans are also not permitted to use any tobacco products in CRC. Violators may be removed from the facilities with possible forfeiture of the game, at the discretion of the supervisor. INTRAMURAL POLICIES: Team captains are responsible for making sure that all members of their teams are aware of all Intramural Sports policies and rules. Captains are responsible for their teams sportsmanship, and may be held accountable for the actions of individuals on their team. RATING: Sportsmanship Ratings are on a ranking from 0-4. The intramural supervisor will distribute sportsmanship for each team at the end of every game and will be noted on the score sheet. General description of each rating and the behavior that is expected of all participants, spectators, and bench personnel (including the coach): 4 Outstanding sportsmanship and conduct: All players cooperate fully with staff and officials and the captain controls his/her team. 3 Good sportsmanship and conduct: Team members are in control throughout the contest. The team does not show verbal dissent or aggression towards the opposing team or officials. 2 Below average sportsmanship and conduct: Verbal dissent or aggression towards the opposing team resulting in a yellow card. Any team receiving one sportsmanship-related yellow card will receive a (2). 1 Poor sportsmanship and conduct: Team members continually show disrespect for the opposing team and officials. The team captain shows little or no control over the team. Any team receiving two sportsmanship-related yellow cards or one red card will receive a (1). 0 Unacceptable sportsmanship and conduct: The team is completely uncooperative, resulting in several yellow and/or red cards to be issued. Any team receiving three sportsmanship-related cards and/or causing the game to be ended early will receive a (0). **Teams who do not have a representative at the captains meeting must receive a 3.25 or higher in sportsmanship rating to be post-season eligible. For teams with representation at the meeting the sportsmanship score must be 3.0 or higher**