Intramural Game Rules
Competition
Inner Tube Water Polo is a Tier 1 Event. The competition begins as a round-robin tournament within each battalion.
Roster
The desired roster size is seven players. Five players are in the pool at once, one of whom is identified as the goalkeeper. Four players are required to avoid a forfeit. One player from each team is designated as the team captain before the start of play.
Rules
Start time is forfeit time: there is no grace period for players to arrive late. Two game forfeits disqualify a team from further play.
Games are played in two 10-minute halves with a 3-minute break between halves. The clock runs continuously except for injury.
In the event of a tie at the end of regulation play, teams will play to sudden-victory: the first team to score wins.
All players must sit in a horizontal position inside the inner tube.
Players may be substituted when the ball is not in play, e.g., after a goal is scored. A substitute goalie must notify the opposing team.
At the start of the game and the second half, teams line up in front of their own goals. When the ball is tossed into the center of the pool, teams may move to take possession.
If a female scores a goal, the point value is two.
There is no offside rule: all players may go anywhere in the field of play. However, only the goalie may touch or use the side of the pool.
Players dribble the ball by pushing it in the water, holding it between their knees, with their hands, with one hand in the air, against their body, or holding it in their lap. It is illegal to keep the ball entirely under the water.
After a shot-on-goal or score, the goalie puts the ball into play. The goalie has five seconds to release the ball. The goalie may not pass the ball beyond midfield.
Violation of any of the following rules results in a change of possession. The goalie of the team taking possession puts the ball back into play.
- intentionally splashing or tipping an opponent
- kicking an opponent
- dunking an opponent
- charging, rushing, or holding an opponent
- other dangerous play as judged by lifeguards
The team of any player ejected finishes the game with four players, i.e., the team plays one man down.
The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association governs all other rules.