KETTERING UNIVERSITY Innertube Water Polo Rules
KETTERING UNIVERSITY Innertube Water Polo Rules 1. Responsibilities of Team Managers and Captains a. Know the eligibility rules in the IM Sports Calendar & Guidelines, and abide by them. b. Read and understand the game rules. Convey these rules to teammates at your team meeting. Always conduct a pre-season meeting. c. Represent your team at meetings and during games. d. Spectators should be seated on the bleachers. They may only enter through the glass doors at the southeast end of the pool. 2. Eligibility Rules a. Participants must be Kettering University students, faculty, or staff members in the semester they participate with a current validated ID card. b. Since Kettering University is not responsible for injury(s) incurred in Intramural Sports, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that all participants have a satisfactory health status and appropriate personal insurance coverage for any injury which might occur during recreational participation. c. Caps must be worn and tied at all time. d. Casts and other unsafe equipment, if deemed so by intramural sports staff, are illegal. 3. General Rules a. A team shall consist of seven (7) players. Six (6) outfield players and one (1) goalkeeper. Each team must wear assigned colored caps. A team may play shorthanded with five (5) players. A sixth or seventh player may be added at any time. b. The game will begin with a coin toss to determine which goal is defended. c. The game will consist of two twenty (20) minute halves. Teams will change ends at the end of each half and overtime period. Five (5) minutes are allowed between halves. The overtime period is five (5) minutes. Each team will be allowed two (2) one-minute timeouts per game. No extra timeouts are granted in overtime. Only the team controlling the ball may call a timeout. If the game is tied at the end of the sudden death overtime period, it ends in a tie (regular season only). d. In playoffs only, there will be a shoot-out after one sudden death overtime period. Each team will choose three players to shoot at the opposing goal (as a penalty shot). The team with the most goals will be determined the winner. If a winner is not determined after the first round (3 shots per team), a sudden death penalty shoot-out will ensue. e. Substitutions: A player may substitute at any time. The substitute must wait until the existing player is completely out of the pool. Entrance into the pool on substitutions must be made by slipping into the pool. No diving.
f. Ball out of Bounds: Officials will wait until all players are back in their tubes before administering the throw in. The opposing team member nearest to the spot of the infraction puts the ball into play by passing or advancing with the ball. A pass must be made by the thrower before a legal shot may be attempted. g. Possession to begin the second half will be given to the losing team of the opening toss to start the game. h. All Recreation Center and pool guidelines must be observed; jewelry and nonathletic eye wear are prohibited. No players may wear any type of jewelry except for soft plastic ear piercing retainers. i. Players must lie on their back or be seated with feet hanging out of the tube. 4. The Play a. The game will begin with each team lined up at opposite ends of the pool, with hands and feet touching the wall. The referee will throw the ball into the center of the pool. Players of both teams will then propel their inner tubes towards the ball in an effort to gain possession. b. No player may leave his/her inner tube to touch or maneuver the ball; otherwise the player will be assessed a violation. A throw in or penalty throw (depending on where the foul took place and who committed the foul. See rule 6b.) will be awarded to the nearest opponent. If tipped out of the tube, a player may not touch the ball until back in the tube. c. BODY TO BODY CONTACT WHICH IMPEDES AN OPPONENT OR IS DEEMED UNSPORTSMANLIKE BY AN OFFICIAL IS PROHIBITED. d. If two opponents both have firm grasps of the ball, the play shall be halted and possession is awarded to the defense. 5. Scoring a. One point will be awarded for each goal and penalty throw scored. The ball may be thrown at the goal from any point from behind the goalie line (flags) within the pool. Players may enter the goalie area to gain possession of the ball, but must pass the ball outside of the goalie area in order to attempt a score. A point is scored when the ball is thrown completely across the goal line within the goal posts. A ball splashed (bounced) into the goal is counted. A player scoring a goal must stay in the tube until the ball crosses the goal line or the score will be disallowed. b. After each score, the ball is put into play by the goalie just scored upon after the whistle is blown by the nearest official. c. Mercy Rule: If a team is ahead 8 or more goals with 5 minutes remaining in the game, the game will end. 6. Goalkeepers a. The goalkeeper may not throw or skip the ball past the halfway point of the pool. The ball must be touched by another player before crossing half. b. The goalkeeper must be in the inner tube to block a shot or handle the ball in the goal area. Leaving the tube will result in a penalty throw for the opposing team. c. The goalkeeper must release the ball within five (5) seconds of gaining possession.
d. The goalkeeper may not use the wall with hands, arms, feet, or legs to gain an advantage when a save or attempt to gain possession is made. This includes, but is not limited to, holding or pushing off the wall to initiate a save attempt. 7. Violations a. Violations will be penalized by a loss of possession unless stated otherwise. The opposing team will begin possession with a restart in the spot nearest to the infraction. i. Stalling – a player who is closely guarded (within 2 yards) must pass the ball within 5 seconds or advance the ball towards the opponent’s goal. ii. Holding on to the pool wall while in possession of the ball, including the goalie. iii. Holding all or part of the ball underwater. iv. Defensive player, other than the goalie, makes contact with an attempted shot while wholly in his/her opponent’s attacking area (defensive flags to defensive goal). A penalty shot is awarded unless the initial shot is made. v. Goalkeeper throwing the ball more than half the length of the pool. vi. Touching the side, floor or goal to gain an advantage (outfield players only). Exception: players may push off the wall during the opening rush for possession. vii. Goalkeeper using the wall to gain an advantage when a save or attempt to gain possession is made. This includes, but is not limited to, holding or pushing off the wall to initiate a save attempt. Goalkeeper may only hold onto or push off of the pool wall to position him/her self. A penalty shot is awarded if the wall is used with hands, arms, legs, or feet by the goalkeeper to assist with making a save. viii. Entry of substitute in a manner other than prescribed in the substitution guidelines. ix. Too many players in the pool. x. Jumping on inner tubes. A warning will be issued; second warning to team will be penalty shot. xi. Shooting the ball in front of the goalie line (flags). xii. Screening the goalie while inside the penalty area (OFFENSE). xiii. Face guarding: A player may not wave hands near (within one foot) of an opponent’s face with the purpose of screening the play. xiv. Repeatedly wasting time (delay of game) in the opinion of the supervisor or officials. xv. A player who scores a goal must stay in the tube until the ball crosses the goal line or the score will be disallowed. xvi. Striking the ball with a closed fist. 8. Personal Fouls a. Personal fouls will be penalized by a loss of possession unless stated otherwise. The opposing team will begin possession with a restart in the spot nearest to the infraction.
i. Intentional personal (body) contact with a teammate or a teammate’s tube which creates an advantage for the offending team. ii. Any personal (body to body) contact, such as holding, pushing, hitting, kicking, jumping on, tackling, dunking or dumping an opponent is prohibited. A delayed call will be made if the pass/shot is unsuccessful when fouled. If the passer/shooter follows through into the raised, stationary arms of an opponent, no call will be made. iii. Tipping an opponent out of his/her tube immediately after a score in an attempt to discount the score. The goal shall be counted, given it went into the net. iv. Holding, pinning, or kicking of an opponent’s tube. v. Intentional or excessive splashing of any player. 9. Penalty Throws a. A penalty throw may be taken by any player. All players except the goalkeeper must leave the penalty area until the throw is taken. No player may be within three (3) feet of the thrower. When the official blows his/her whistle the ball must be immediately thrown in a forward motion from a cocked arm position. No fakes will be allowed. Should the penalty throw be missed, play continues. b. The following offenses are punishable by a penalty throw: i. Goalkeeper attempts to block or handle the ball when he/she is not within his/her tube. ii. Goalkeeper using the wall to gain an advantage when a save is attempted. iii. Interference with a shot by defensive player (other than the goalkeeper) wholly in an opponent’s attacking area. iv. Persistent fouling by a team or player after an official’s warning. A penalty throw will be awarded to the offended team if repeated warnings called by the referee on the defense are ignored. If necessary, the player in question may be ejected as a last recourse to eliminate the rough play or persistent infringement. v. 2nd team offence for jumping on an innertube or too many players in the pool. vi. Any major foul, detailed in rule 10. 10. Major Fouls a. The following fouls will be considered major fouls. Penalty: Ejection & penalty throw. The ejected player may be replaced. i. Attacking, striking, or kicking an opponent in such a manner that in the opinion of the referee endangers his person in any way. ii. Player(s) or a team persistently repeating an infraction, after the referee has given warnings (last recourse). iii. Flagrant disobedience of a referee’s request. iv. A player, coach, or spectator exhibits unsportsmanlike conduct.
b. Verbal or physical abuse is not allowed under any circumstances. The offending person(s) will be removed from the playing area. A forfeit will be called by the officials or the supervisor if the abuse is excessive. This includes spectators.
PLAYER CONDUCT Section 1-The objective of the Intramural Sports program is to promote good sports behavior. Section 2- If a participant is ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, the player will be immediately suspended from the program and the action will be followed by a review by the Assistant Director of Recreation Services to see if and when the suspension will be lifted. Section 3- (Fighting)- All persons involved in a fight will be suspended from the program. After a full review of the incident, the Assistant Director of Recreation Services shall set a date for the lifting of the suspension. In addition, the team involved will be put on probation for the remainder of the season. While on probation, if the team or any individual on the team shall be involved in a fight, the team will be dropped from that sport. Section 4 (Disrespect of officials)- Addressing an official in an unsportsmanlike manner will disqualify the participant for the remainder of that game and the next game. Excessive profanity also will result in disqualification. Profanity will not be tolerated. The official will give the person’s name to the Assistant Director of Recreation Services who will rule on probation measures. A second offense will result in suspension for the remainder of the year. Section 5 (Striking an official)- Striking or shoving an official shall result in suspension from Intramurals forever and submission of the incident to the University Discipline Board for further action. Section 6- If a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, the team manager needs to provide the official with the ejected player’s name. The ejected player is expected to leave the gym or field or the game will be defaulted. Section 7- The team manager is expected to keep control of his/her team member’s conduct and/or spectators. Section 8- The use of alcohol or drugs is not permitted and is against University policy. Section 9- The procedure for misconduct will be as follows: upon receiving notification of the misconduct of a participant, the Assistant Director of Recreation Services will be notified of details about the incident. The details about the incident will be gathered as follows: the parties directly involved, the officials working, the supervisor in charge that night, teammates of those involved and spectators who witnessed the incident. Decisions made by the Assistant Director of Recreation Services may be appealed to the Director of Recreation Services.
PROTEST PROCEDURE A protest may be submitted in instances of rule misinterpretation and participant eligibility. Protests will not be accepted if they are based on a judgment call made by officials in playing situations. Protests must be made to the game official and the Sport Supervisor at the time of the protest and one of the following will occur: On Field Protest: The team captain will state to the official that he/she protests the rule interpretation and a meeting between both team captains, officials and the Sport Supervisor will take place. They will have from 3 to 5 minutes to come to a solution to the protest. This solution must be agreed on by all parties. If no agreement is made within the time period the protest will stand and the team filing the protest must follow the formal protest procedures. Formal Protest Procedure: Formal protest must be announced after an agreement could not be reached with the On Field Protest. Formal protest is to be during the game and the team captain will be contacted by the Assistant Director of Recreation Services. Failure to adhere to the formal procedures will result in the protest not being allowed. FORFEIT POLICY If a team or contestant fails to appear at the appointed place within the appointed scheduled grace period for the contest, the offender may forfeit the contest and be charged with a loss. The team or contestant that was present will receive credit for a win. Grace Period: Teams will be permitted a five (5) minute grace period from the scheduled game time. If teams arrive after the grace period, team managers will meet with the sport supervisor and game official to determine if time will allow for the game to be played. A team or contestant shall forfeit any contest in which an ineligible player participated (no fine assessed). One forfeit due to failure to appear for a scheduled game in a team sport automatically drops a team from further competition in that sport for the remainder of that particular season. Teams wishing to continue participation in the regular season must pay a $50 re-entry fee. Forfeit fees may be made out to be Kettering University and will be deposited in the Intramural Sports account.
f. Ball out of Bounds: Officials will wait until all players are back in their tubes before administering the throw in. The opposing team member nearest to the spot of the infraction puts the ball into play by passing or advancing with the ball. A pass must be made by the thrower before a legal shot may be attempted. g. Possession to begin the second half will be given to the losing team of the opening toss to start the game. h. All Recreation Center and pool guidelines must be observed; jewelry and nonathletic eye wear are prohibited. No players may wear any type of jewelry except for soft plastic ear piercing retainers. i. Players must lie on their back or be seated with feet hanging out of the tube. 4. The Play a. The game will begin with each team lined up at opposite ends of the pool, with hands and feet touching the wall. The referee will throw the ball into the center of the pool. Players of both teams will then propel their inner tubes towards the ball in an effort to gain possession. b. No player may leave his/her inner tube to touch or maneuver the ball; otherwise the player will be assessed a violation. A throw in or penalty throw (depending on where the foul took place and who committed the foul. See rule 6b.) will be awarded to the nearest opponent. If tipped out of the tube, a player may not touch the ball until back in the tube. c. BODY TO BODY CONTACT WHICH IMPEDES AN OPPONENT OR IS DEEMED UNSPORTSMANLIKE BY AN OFFICIAL IS PROHIBITED. d. If two opponents both have firm grasps of the ball, the play shall be halted and possession is awarded to the defense. 5. Scoring a. One point will be awarded for each goal and penalty throw scored. The ball may be thrown at the goal from any point from behind the goalie line (flags) within the pool. Players may enter the goalie area to gain possession of the ball, but must pass the ball outside of the goalie area in order to attempt a score. A point is scored when the ball is thrown completely across the goal line within the goal posts. A ball splashed (bounced) into the goal is counted. A player scoring a goal must stay in the tube until the ball crosses the goal line or the score will be disallowed. b. After each score, the ball is put into play by the goalie just scored upon after the whistle is blown by the nearest official. c. Mercy Rule: If a team is ahead 8 or more goals with 5 minutes remaining in the game, the game will end. 6. Goalkeepers a. The goalkeeper may not throw or skip the ball past the halfway point of the pool. The ball must be touched by another player before crossing half. b. The goalkeeper must be in the inner tube to block a shot or handle the ball in the goal area. Leaving the tube will result in a penalty throw for the opposing team. c. The goalkeeper must release the ball within five (5) seconds of gaining possession.
d. The goalkeeper may not use the wall with hands, arms, feet, or legs to gain an advantage when a save or attempt to gain possession is made. This includes, but is not limited to, holding or pushing off the wall to initiate a save attempt. 7. Violations a. Violations will be penalized by a loss of possession unless stated otherwise. The opposing team will begin possession with a restart in the spot nearest to the infraction. i. Stalling – a player who is closely guarded (within 2 yards) must pass the ball within 5 seconds or advance the ball towards the opponent’s goal. ii. Holding on to the pool wall while in possession of the ball, including the goalie. iii. Holding all or part of the ball underwater. iv. Defensive player, other than the goalie, makes contact with an attempted shot while wholly in his/her opponent’s attacking area (defensive flags to defensive goal). A penalty shot is awarded unless the initial shot is made. v. Goalkeeper throwing the ball more than half the length of the pool. vi. Touching the side, floor or goal to gain an advantage (outfield players only). Exception: players may push off the wall during the opening rush for possession. vii. Goalkeeper using the wall to gain an advantage when a save or attempt to gain possession is made. This includes, but is not limited to, holding or pushing off the wall to initiate a save attempt. Goalkeeper may only hold onto or push off of the pool wall to position him/her self. A penalty shot is awarded if the wall is used with hands, arms, legs, or feet by the goalkeeper to assist with making a save. viii. Entry of substitute in a manner other than prescribed in the substitution guidelines. ix. Too many players in the pool. x. Jumping on inner tubes. A warning will be issued; second warning to team will be penalty shot. xi. Shooting the ball in front of the goalie line (flags). xii. Screening the goalie while inside the penalty area (OFFENSE). xiii. Face guarding: A player may not wave hands near (within one foot) of an opponent’s face with the purpose of screening the play. xiv. Repeatedly wasting time (delay of game) in the opinion of the supervisor or officials. xv. A player who scores a goal must stay in the tube until the ball crosses the goal line or the score will be disallowed. xvi. Striking the ball with a closed fist. 8. Personal Fouls a. Personal fouls will be penalized by a loss of possession unless stated otherwise. The opposing team will begin possession with a restart in the spot nearest to the infraction.
i. Intentional personal (body) contact with a teammate or a teammate’s tube which creates an advantage for the offending team. ii. Any personal (body to body) contact, such as holding, pushing, hitting, kicking, jumping on, tackling, dunking or dumping an opponent is prohibited. A delayed call will be made if the pass/shot is unsuccessful when fouled. If the passer/shooter follows through into the raised, stationary arms of an opponent, no call will be made. iii. Tipping an opponent out of his/her tube immediately after a score in an attempt to discount the score. The goal shall be counted, given it went into the net. iv. Holding, pinning, or kicking of an opponent’s tube. v. Intentional or excessive splashing of any player. 9. Penalty Throws a. A penalty throw may be taken by any player. All players except the goalkeeper must leave the penalty area until the throw is taken. No player may be within three (3) feet of the thrower. When the official blows his/her whistle the ball must be immediately thrown in a forward motion from a cocked arm position. No fakes will be allowed. Should the penalty throw be missed, play continues. b. The following offenses are punishable by a penalty throw: i. Goalkeeper attempts to block or handle the ball when he/she is not within his/her tube. ii. Goalkeeper using the wall to gain an advantage when a save is attempted. iii. Interference with a shot by defensive player (other than the goalkeeper) wholly in an opponent’s attacking area. iv. Persistent fouling by a team or player after an official’s warning. A penalty throw will be awarded to the offended team if repeated warnings called by the referee on the defense are ignored. If necessary, the player in question may be ejected as a last recourse to eliminate the rough play or persistent infringement. v. 2nd team offence for jumping on an innertube or too many players in the pool. vi. Any major foul, detailed in rule 10. 10. Major Fouls a. The following fouls will be considered major fouls. Penalty: Ejection & penalty throw. The ejected player may be replaced. i. Attacking, striking, or kicking an opponent in such a manner that in the opinion of the referee endangers his person in any way. ii. Player(s) or a team persistently repeating an infraction, after the referee has given warnings (last recourse). iii. Flagrant disobedience of a referee’s request. iv. A player, coach, or spectator exhibits unsportsmanlike conduct.
b. Verbal or physical abuse is not allowed under any circumstances. The offending person(s) will be removed from the playing area. A forfeit will be called by the officials or the supervisor if the abuse is excessive. This includes spectators.
PLAYER CONDUCT Section 1-The objective of the Intramural Sports program is to promote good sports behavior. Section 2- If a participant is ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, the player will be immediately suspended from the program and the action will be followed by a review by the Assistant Director of Recreation Services to see if and when the suspension will be lifted. Section 3- (Fighting)- All persons involved in a fight will be suspended from the program. After a full review of the incident, the Assistant Director of Recreation Services shall set a date for the lifting of the suspension. In addition, the team involved will be put on probation for the remainder of the season. While on probation, if the team or any individual on the team shall be involved in a fight, the team will be dropped from that sport. Section 4 (Disrespect of officials)- Addressing an official in an unsportsmanlike manner will disqualify the participant for the remainder of that game and the next game. Excessive profanity also will result in disqualification. Profanity will not be tolerated. The official will give the person’s name to the Assistant Director of Recreation Services who will rule on probation measures. A second offense will result in suspension for the remainder of the year. Section 5 (Striking an official)- Striking or shoving an official shall result in suspension from Intramurals forever and submission of the incident to the University Discipline Board for further action. Section 6- If a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, the team manager needs to provide the official with the ejected player’s name. The ejected player is expected to leave the gym or field or the game will be defaulted. Section 7- The team manager is expected to keep control of his/her team member’s conduct and/or spectators. Section 8- The use of alcohol or drugs is not permitted and is against University policy. Section 9- The procedure for misconduct will be as follows: upon receiving notification of the misconduct of a participant, the Assistant Director of Recreation Services will be notified of details about the incident. The details about the incident will be gathered as follows: the parties directly involved, the officials working, the supervisor in charge that night, teammates of those involved and spectators who witnessed the incident. Decisions made by the Assistant Director of Recreation Services may be appealed to the Director of Recreation Services.
PROTEST PROCEDURE A protest may be submitted in instances of rule misinterpretation and participant eligibility. Protests will not be accepted if they are based on a judgment call made by officials in playing situations. Protests must be made to the game official and the Sport Supervisor at the time of the protest and one of the following will occur: On Field Protest: The team captain will state to the official that he/she protests the rule interpretation and a meeting between both team captains, officials and the Sport Supervisor will take place. They will have from 3 to 5 minutes to come to a solution to the protest. This solution must be agreed on by all parties. If no agreement is made within the time period the protest will stand and the team filing the protest must follow the formal protest procedures. Formal Protest Procedure: Formal protest must be announced after an agreement could not be reached with the On Field Protest. Formal protest is to be during the game and the team captain will be contacted by the Assistant Director of Recreation Services. Failure to adhere to the formal procedures will result in the protest not being allowed. FORFEIT POLICY If a team or contestant fails to appear at the appointed place within the appointed scheduled grace period for the contest, the offender may forfeit the contest and be charged with a loss. The team or contestant that was present will receive credit for a win. Grace Period: Teams will be permitted a five (5) minute grace period from the scheduled game time. If teams arrive after the grace period, team managers will meet with the sport supervisor and game official to determine if time will allow for the game to be played. A team or contestant shall forfeit any contest in which an ineligible player participated (no fine assessed). One forfeit due to failure to appear for a scheduled game in a team sport automatically drops a team from further competition in that sport for the remainder of that particular season. Teams wishing to continue participation in the regular season must pay a $50 re-entry fee. Forfeit fees may be made out to be Kettering University and will be deposited in the Intramural Sports account.
