Inner Tube Water Polo 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. section of the website.
 
Intramural Team Participation: Individuals may only play on one team in the tournament.
 
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:  The official team roster consists only of those individuals who are eligible and who have signed the official online IMLeagues roster/waiver. Individuals must be listed on the official online IMLeagues roster, the Friday before the start of the tournament. Confirming that all players are listed on the official online IMLeagues roster is the responsibility of the Team Captain.
 
Communication with IMS Staff: All players are permitted to speak with officials and/or IMS staff regarding rule enforcements or to ask a clarifying question. Judgment calls will not be up for debate. These interactions must be respectful and should come in the form of a question. Disrespectful statements, continual badgering, or boisterous gestures may be considered un-sportsmanlike conduct and could result in a warning or ejection. Team captains are encouraged to demonstrate positive sportsmanship and be leaders of the team. All protest must come from the team captain or the acting captain of that contest. 
 
Equipment
 
Equipment
  • All participants must wear appropriate clothing for the pool.
  • Inner tubes, balls, and goals will be provided.
  • Jewelry (and other items which may be considered dangerous) must be removed prior to playing.

Players
  • A team consists of (5) players in the pool at a time (4 “field” players & 1 goalie).
  • A team may start and play with as few as (4) players.
  • Rosters should be submitted online via IMLeagues prior to play.
Substitutions:
  • Substitutes will be seated on the end of the pool which their team is defending.
  • A player may substitute at any time but must wait until the exiting player is completely out of the pool.
  • Entrance into the pool must be made by slipping in, NO DIVING.
  • A player must be properly on their inner tube prior to advancing or making any plays.
  • For goalie substitutions, the official must be informed, and the change must be made during a stoppage in play.  
  • Substitutes should help return balls going out of play to the goalie.

Gameplay

Beginning the Game

  • At the start of each half, teams will line up at each end of the pool against the wall (on the side they are defending).
    • The official will throw the ball in the center of the pool, and sound a whistle, to initiate play via an “opening rush”.

General Rules

  • Games will be 2 halves, each (7) minutes in length with a running clock.
    • There will be a 3-minute halftime. Teams switch sides at half.
  • No timeouts
  • Inner Tube Positioning
    • Players must SIT in the inner tube during play to advance in the pool or possess the ball.
      • Must be sitting in a horizontal position, facing up, with both legs hanging over the tube.
        • Players may not lie down in the tube (either on their stomach or back).
        • Players may not be positioned vertically within the tube (with legs down towards the bottom of the pool)
    • If a player falls out of their tube, they must return to the correct position prior to advancing or making any play.
  • Scoring
    • All goals are worth 1 point.
    • The ball may be thrown at the goal from any point in the pool
    • Players attempting a goal must maintain their balance and remain in their inner tube.
      • A “goal” scored when a player is not within their inner tube will not be allowed.
    • A good goal must completely cross the goal line between the posts.
    • A ball “skipped” into the goal will count.  However, a ball splashed into the goal will not be counted.
  • Goalies
    • A goalie may not attempt to block or handle the ball when they are not in their inner tube.
    • Only the goalie may defend the area directly in front of the goal (no loading up the goal area with defenders).
    • After a goal has been scored, the defending goalkeeper will put the ball into play. 
    • The goalie must release the ball within five (5) seconds.
  • Methods allowed to prevent the advance of the ball:
    • Moving in front of the advancing player to inhibit progress.
    • Knocking the ball from the hands of the player and causing it to float free.
    • Blocking opponent's vision with hands (without contact).
    • Players may not reach into a tube to grab the ball.
    • NO SPLASHING
  • Boundaries    
    • A ball thrown or deflected out-of-bounds along the sideline will be put back in play by opposing team where it went out.
    • A ball thrown or deflected out-of-bounds along the end line (behind the goal) will be put back in play by the goalie on that end, regardless of which team last touched it. 

Fouls & Misconduct (All violations and fouls will be administered back at the point of the infraction with a free pass)

Violations:

  • Starting play before the referee blows the whistle.
  • Advancing in the pool or making a play while not properly positioned in the inner tube (includes the goalie).
  • Intentional delay of game.
  • Taking the ball underwater or intentionally keeping the ball covered to prevent the opposing team from gaining possession.
  • Improper substitution.
  • Too many players in the pool or incorrect coed ratio.
  • Jumping on inner tubes (A warning will be issued; second infraction will result in a penalty shot).

Fouls: (if any fouls are made on goal scoring opportunities - it will result in a penalty shot)

  • Taunting or verbally abusing other players or staff
  • Holding, pushing, or kicking off an opponent’s inner tube.
  • Grabbing/slapping an opponent’s arms or legs under or above the water
  • Tipping or attempting to tip opponent’s innertube.
  • Making contact with the opposing goalie which prohibits them from making a save. (AUTOMATIC GOAL AWARDED)
  • Splashing goalie or any other player.
Penalty Shots
  • Setup by the official (10 feet from the goal line).
  • Player and goalie may not move until official whistles play.
  • Ball is dead immediately after shot.