Capture the PUMPKIN Tournament

The rules governing this intramural sport activity are unique to the UVM Intramural Sports Program. This rules sheet is not meant to be all-inclusive; rather it is a summary of the more common rules, policies, and procedures used by the Intramural Sports Program. Important policy information can be found in the Intramural Sports Handbook. All team managers and players are responsible for reading this document and understanding the rules, policies, and procedures prior to participating in this activity.

General/Eligibility
See the Intramural Sports Handbook for complete listing of eligibility.

Intramural Team Participation
Individuals may only play on one (1) team. 

UVM Identification
All players MUST present a UVM Cat Card to the IMS Supervisor prior to each game. Players who do not have their Cat Card will be subject to the terms of the Campus Recreation ID Policy.

Team Rosters
All participants must sign the online IMLeagues roster/waiver form in order to participate in Intramural Sports. 
 

The Players

  • The game shall be played in teams of 6 players.
  • A minimum of five players are needed to play. Teams can have up to 10 people on a roster.
  • Teams should wear the same colors which are decided at the time of registration.
  • Each player will receive a flag belt at game time.

Substitutes

  • If a team is playing with substitutes, they must only enter at the start of a new round.

 
GAME GUIDELINES
A round will last 5 minutes. Up to 4 teams will play at a time, each occupying a corner of the playing surface. Tournament officials will monitor the field during play. The object of the game is to capture all the other team's pumpkins and have the most at the end. 

  • Once the clock hits 0:00, we will count how many pumpkins each team has captured. Only pumpkins in your team's hoop will count.
  • Pumpkins captured is an important stat, as it determines final standings. 

Pumpkins and Cones

  • There will be one (1) pumpkin located in each team's corner.
  • The pumpkin will be visible within the team hoop.
  • Players cannot move the location of any of the pumpkins and/or cones during the game.
  • Cones will serve as a perimeter for team boundaries.
  • Guards must remain outside the cone perimeter.  
    • Only 1 person may guard the pumpkin and they must stay outside of the hoop.

Jail

If a participant is de-flagged, by having their flag belt pulled on the opposing team's side, the person must sit or kneel on the ground where they are de-flagged.
Participants can only be rescued by their own team members tagging them back in.

  • A player may only have their flags removed if they are on an opponents side.
    • A player is on another teams side if any part of their body is touching that zone. 
  • Flag belts may only be removed by the team whose zone the player is occupying.
    • For example: Player from Team B and Team C enter Team D's zone, Only a player from Team D may attempt to de-flag either the Team B or C player.
  • Once they are in jail they should keep their flag belt off. In order to be released, they must be "tagged" by a rescuing teammate.
    • Participants who are rescued from jail must return to their own side by holding their flag belt up in the air until they have returned safely to the other side. 
    • The rescuer is free to remain on the opponents side, but is able to be de-flagged.


Capturing the Pumpkin

  • Once a player has captured a pumpkin from the other team's side, the player may remain safely in the hoop until they are ready to leave.
    • The pumpkin must remain visible at all times.
  • The pumpkin may only be thrown backwards or laterally to teammates, Handoffs are acceptable.
    • Pumpkins may be intercepted in the air and taken by any team.
    • If it touches the ground it must be returned to the original team's hoop.
  • Captured pumpkins must be brought back to their team's side and placed in their team's hoop.
    • Opponents may not attempt to force the pumpkin out of someones hands.
    • No tackling or fumbles of the pumpkin will occur.
  • The goal is to have the most pumpkins in your teams hoop when time expires. Only pumpkins in the hoop at time expiry will count.