INNERTUBE WATER POLO RULES National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association rules will be used. Italic print indicates special rules for UNC-Chapel Hill Intramural and/or Co-Recreational play only. Each player is responsible for presenting a current UNC ONE CARD or valid government issued ID at game time. TEAM REPRESENTATIVES Only the captain may speak to the officials. The captain is responsible for notifying his/her team of all the rules as well as anything discussed in the captain’s meeting. THE GAME The game shall be played between two teams of four [4] players. Three players are required to avoid a forfeit. The Co-Recreational game shall be played between two teams of 4 players; two men and two women. Three players are required to avoid a forfeit PENALTY AREA There is an imaginary 2-yard line that extends the entire width of the playing area surrounding the goalkeeper. No part of the offensive player’s body may penetrate the goalkeepers’ area. THE GOALKEEPER Goalkeeper position: 1. The goalkeeper may not throw the ball more than half the length of the pool at any time. 2. The goalkeeper must sit inside the inner tube; the lower half must be inside the inner tube at all times. 3. The goalie may not hold the ball for more than five seconds. 4. Any defensive player may act as the goalkeeper, but there may only be one defensive player inside the goalkeepers’ area at a time. 5. A team may pull their goalie during the last 2 minutes of the game. 6. The goalkeeper may be either male or female. PERIODS, TIME FACTORS, SUBSTITUTIONS PERIODS A game shall consist of two twelve minute periods. Teams change ends at the end of each period. If the score is tied at the end of regulation play, one four minute period shall be played. If the score remains tied, a sudden death overtime period of two minutes is played during which time the team that scores first shall be the winner. If the score is still tied, two minute overtime periods will continue at which time the team that scores first shall be the winner. NOTE: No overtimes during the regular season. The game will end in a tie. TIME FACTORS The clock will run continuously except during time-outs, after scores, and for injuries. There will be a five minute intermission between periods. Each team is entitled to two time-outs per game plus one additional time-out per overtime. Time-outs are one minute in duration. Time-outs not used during regulation do not carry over into the overtime period. SUBSTITUTIONS Substitutions may be made during time-outs, after a goal is scored, or between periods. BALL IN PLAY, DEAD BALL, OUT-OF-BOUNDS METHOD OF PLAY Each team lines up at opposite ends of the pool at the start of play. Play starts when the official throws the ball into the center of the playing area and both teams propel their innertubes toward the ball. After each score, the ball is put into play by the official, by returning it to the goalie just scored upon. OUT-OF-BOUNDS A free throw-in from the same point the ball went out of bounds is awarded to the opposing team. The player nearest to where the ball goes out of bounds takes the throw. CONDUCT OF PLAYERS INFRACTIONS Infractions are penalized by the loss of possession of the ball to opponent by a free throw-in. Infractions include: • Holding onto the pool wall while in possession of the ball. Rule also applies to the goalkeeper. • Holding the ball under water • Goalkeeper throwing the ball more than half the length of the pool • Goalkeeper holding onto the side of the pool while catching or passing the ball, or pushing off the bottom of the pool while attempting to deflect a try for goal. • Offensive player within the goalkeeper’s area • Offensive player failing to release the ball in five seconds (stalling). • Starting play before the referee blows the whistle • Striking the ball with a clenched fist (goalie exempted). • Sitting in the tube incorrectly (Butt not inside of the tube) After a minor infraction, a non-violating team member nearest the spot of infraction puts the ball into play by passing or advancing the ball. Opponents may not touch, impede, or interfere with one’s attempt to pass the ball. One pass must be made before any attempted goal. PERSONAL FOULS The following fouls are penalized by losing possession of the ball to the other team, whom receive a free throw: • Holding, punching, hitting, jumping on, tackling, dunking, or dumping an opponent not holding the ball. • Punching, hitting, jumping on, tackling, dunking, or dumping an opponent with the ball. • Player persistently repeating an infraction even after the official has given warnings. • Tipping an opponent out of his/her tube immediately after scoring in an attempt to discount the score. • No player may leave his/her innertube and touch or maneuver the ball; otherwise he/she is assessed a personal foul and a free throw or penalty throw is awarded his/her nearest opponent. Also, if tipped out of the tube, a player may not touch or control the ball until he/she is back in the tube. The following situations result in the opposing team being awarded a penalty throw. • Offensive player fouled in the penalty area while controlling the ball and facing the goal. • Offensive player being fouled when the opponent has been called for more than seven team fouls per half. PENALTY THROWS: All players except the goalkeeper must leave the penalty area until the penalty throw is taken. No player may be within 1 yard of the thrower. Should the penalty throw be missed, the ball is a free ball and continues in play. The player taking the penalty throw must line up on the penalty line. The whistle will be blown 2 times; the first time the player throwing the ball must raise their arm with the ball in it and the second time the ball must be thrown with no hesitation and no faking allowed, otherwise the penalty throw is lost. As mentioned all players except the goalie must be outside the penalty line and at least 1 yard away from the person taking the penalty throw. FACE OFF: This occurs in the case of a double foul or a tie ball. The two players involved sit in their innertubes, with their backs toward each other, about 3 feet apart and everyone else at least 2 yards away. The ball is dropped between the 2 players and is in play as soon as it touches the water. If in a face off, both players line up along the wall, neither player may touch the wall. ADDITIONAL RULE – SAFETY: Blind shots or passes are not allowed (there are no behind the head or behind the back shots or passes) NO EYE GLASSES WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE POOL! SCORING POINT VALUE • A goal scored by any player shall count as one point. • The last offensive person to touch the ball shall be credited with the score. • A goal is scored when the entire ball has passed over the goal line between the goalpost and under the cross bar. EJECTIONS A player is disqualified on his/her 3rd personal foul. .