Intramurals Mixed Innertube Water Polo League Details
Innertube Water Polo Rules:
1. All players are required to bring their student ID.
2. Proper comfortable attire should be worn in the pool. Athletic sportswear is recommended such as a sports bra and shorts or a one-piece bathing suit.
3. There shall be 6 players in the water at one time, including the goalie. Need a minimum of 5 students to play (minimum 2 women, 2 men).
4. Games will consist of two 12-minute halves with a 3-minute rest in between.
5. Games will be played the width of the pool on the shallow side.
6. One team will get blue tubes and the other team will get yellow tubes.
7. All players must be in their inner tube while playing. Inner tube must be horizontal at all times.
8. Students must be in their inner tube to have possession of the ball or else the ball is turned over to the other team. If the goalie blocks a ball while not in their tube, possession goes to the other team at the 2 metre line.
9. In the case of dual possession, the person who initially had the ball will retain possession.
10. A swim-off will take place at the start of each game. All players begin at the end of their side of the pool and race to get the ball first. The ball will be placed in the centre of the pool. The whistle will be blown after the ball hits the water to begin the swim-off.
11. After each goal, the goalie gets the ball. Both teams must be on their respective sides to begin.
12. The ball cannot be passed over ½ the length of the pool by the goalie. As well, the goalie is not allowed to pass half.
13. The team that has control of the ball has 15 seconds to bring the ball over ½ the length of the pool after the goalie puts the ball in play.
14. Substitutions are made beside each team’s goal, the player coming off must be at the side of the pool before the player coming in gets into the inner tube. This means the player in the water cannot get out of the tube and into the water and push the tube ahead of them.
15. The person attempting to score may not be within 2 metres of the goal. If a shot is attempted within 2 metres and goes in, it is considered no goal, and is the goalie’s ball.
16. Players can shoot from wherever but no closer than 2 meters from the goal.
17. The goalie is the only person allowed to block a goal attempt within 2 meters of the goal. Defenders are not allowed to stop a shot within this zone. If a defender blocks a goal attempt, a loss of possession will result.
18. Ball must be presented, not guarded (held against the body) which means it cannot be carried in the tube.
19. Two-hand throw rule: You need to throw the ball with two hands for a goal to be accepted. Intramural staff will be watching to make sure you do not try and score with a one-handed throw.
20. Passing between teammates can be either 2-handed throws or 1-handed throws.
21. NO hanging onto the buoy lines.
22. NO jumping off the deck into the tubes. This damages the tubes and/or causes injuries.
23. NO hanging onto sides of the pool and students are prohibited to drag along the sidelines of the deck of the pool.
24. NO rough play. This includes flipping another player’s tube or pushing other tubes.
Playoffs
The top 3 teams will move onto playoffs. 1st place will get a bi, and 2nd place will play 3rd place. The winner of 2nd vs 3rd will play the 1st place team for the championship title
If a tie occurs at the end of regulation play, there will be up to two 5-minute overtimes added until a team scores (sudden death). If neither team has scored at the end of both overtimes, there will be a shoot-out.
Playoff tournament schedules will be posted at least one week prior for review. Captains are responsible for obtaining this information and providing conflicting dates/times to the Intramural Coordinators.?Once posted, no requests to change the playoff schedule will be accepted.
Cancelation Policy
Less Than 48-Hours’ Notice: If your team is unable to attend a scheduled game and the team captain notifies StFX Intramurals less than 48 hours (2 days) before the game (including same-day cancelations), it will be treated as a forfeit. This will result in a 3-0 loss for your team and count as one forfeit. After two (2) forfeits, a team shall be removed from the league.
48-Hour (2-Day) Notice: If your team cannot attend a scheduled game, the team captain may request a reschedule by providing at least two (2) days' notice. Reschedules are not guaranteed, and if the request is denied, your team is still expected to attend the game. Failure to attend will result in a 3-0 loss but will not count as a forfeit. Requests made with less than 48 hours' notice will not be approved, and a 3-0 loss along with a forfeit will be applied (subject to the two-forfeit rule mentioned above).
Due to limited pool availability and a short season, reschedules are unlikely and most definitely not guaranteed.
Forfeits: ?Teams who are not present at their scheduled contest by game time or are unable to produce enough eligible players to field a team, will be assessed a forfeit aside from the following Grace Period Exception. This will result in a 3-0 loss for the team. Each team is allowed two forfeits before being removed from the league (after the 2nd forfeit, your team will be removed from the league).
Grace Period Exception:?The official or supervisor on duty will allow the other team a grace period of ten minutes to acquire a properly equipped team.?If ten minutes pass after the scheduled game time, and the minimum number of eligible players required to play for the opposing team has not arrived, then the team that is ready to play must accept the forfeit. If the forfeiting team can obtain the minimum number of properly equipped players before the ten-minute grace period expires, the game shall be started, and the opposing team shall be given the ball/possession.
Sportsmanship Policy
StFX Intramurals expects all participants to respect and abide by all rules and policies, show respect, and concern for their opponent and intramural staff, and refrain from abusive language, poor attitude, and manipulation of the rules to further their chance of winning. Upholding high standards of integrity and fair play is of the utmost importance to the Intramural Committee.?
Fair play ratings are given to teams after each contest by either the?nightly supervisors or game officials. These ratings reflect behavior before, during, and after the contest. ?
For a team to qualify for post-season playoffs, they must have a 5.0 average?in fair play during regular season play. Any team receiving a ZERO?rating during the regular season will be subject to additional discipline. The ratings are given after each contest based of a 10-point scale. ?
1? Out of control behavior with excessive disrespect and arguing. Multiple players involved in a fight or destruction of property. Team is subject to investigation and possible removal from competition.?
2? Excessively disrespectful and argumentative. Any physical contact or provocation of officials. Multiple ejected players or one player involved in a fight.?
3? Frequently disrespectful with repeated arguing. Provocative behavior toward officials. Multiple unsportsmanlike penalties or multiple ejected players.?
4? Frequently disrespectful to officials and/or opponents. Frequent arguing or complaints. Multiple unsportsmanlike penalties or 1 ejected player.?
5? Shows moderate disrespect to officials and/or opponents. Moderate arguing or complaints. Maximum of 1 unsportsmanlike penalty.?
6? Respectful most of the time, but occasional minor disrespect towards officials or opponents. Some arguing or complaints. No unsportsmanlike penalties.?
7? Generally respectful to officials and opponents. Occasional complaints or arguing. No unsportsmanlike penalties.?
8? Mostly respectful to officials and opponents. Some minor complaints or arguing. No unsportsmanlike penalties.?
9? Respectful to officials and opponents. Minimal to no complaints or arguing. No unsportsmanlike penalties.?
10? Always respectful to officials and the opposing teams. No arguing or complaining. No unsportsmanlike penalties. ?