NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Maximum of seven (7) players per team in the water.

Each sex must be represented by a minimum of three (3) players in the pool. A team may have a maximum of six (6) players in the tubes.

DEFAULTS

Game will start on time as scheduled according to the pool clock, with a ten (10) minute default/warm-up period.

A team must have six (6) (three male and three female) players by ten (10) minutes past the scheduled start or default the contest. After two defaults a team will be withdrawn from the league.

NEW FOR 2005-2006: Should a team lose a player to injury or technical ejection which puts them below the default number, the team can continue to play the game without defaulting within the recognized rules of the sport.

LENGTH OF GAME

Games will be played during two halves of twenty (20) minute time periods.

OFFICIALS

There will be one referee for each game. All Referees calls will be final. Evaluation of the referees is to be done on the back of the game sheet when it is signed by the team captain.

EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS

All players must wear bathing suits and caps.

TIE BREAKING

If a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation time, teams will play a five (5) minute sudden death overtime period. There will be a 2 minute rest and switch of end between overtime periods.

GENERAL

Modified playing rules have been developed to accommodate male and female equated participation on a team. To maximize personal enjoyment and social interaction, self-discipline, co-operation and courtesy are encouraged throughout all activities. Team representatives are responsible for the conduct of their players and ensuring that the Co-ed philosophy is observed and should communicate any problems with other team representatives and the referee, Co-ed Convenor for Innertube Water Polo or Program Manager.

Remember to: PLAY SAFE AND HAVE FUN

GOAL

To score, the player should shoot outside of the 2 metre line and the ball should pass completely over the goal line between the goal posts.

A ball hitting the front wall of the gutter and bouncing out does not count. A ball hitting the back wall and bouncing out counts. A ball that bounces off the water and enters the net, passing the goal line, counts as a goal.

After a goal has been scored, players should take up positions anywhere within their respective halves of the pool and a player of the team not having last scored shall re-start the game from the centre of the pool. The player will start the play by passing to another player of his team who is behind the half mark.

RULES

The game is normally begun with all players touching the wall at their own goal line. On the whistle, the referee will throw the ball to the centre of the pool and the players may leave the wall to commence play.

At the start of each half the first person to touch the ball must be in a tube.

Teams are allowed to sign varsity players to play under the following rules. The number

of points in the water at any one time should not exceed:

a) 3 points - Division I; b) 0 points - Division II;

b) Assignment of Points;

i) Varsity Water Polo Players

- 2 points for anyone who participated in a Varsity Water Polo Tournament

- 1 point for anyone, who in the opinion of the Water Polo coach, had practiced many times and was an above average player

ii) Current Varsity Swimmers;

- 1 1/2 points if they play in Division I

- 1 point if they play in any other Division

iii) Retired Varsity Swimmers & Varsity Water Polo Players.

- 1 point

Players who have a point status have to be declared to the referee, and to the other team prior to the game.

<>Players may not make contact with an opposing player. If a player has possession of the ball, the opposing player may contact their innertube, but not the body - dunking can only occur at this time. The penalty is a free throw.

At the referee’s discretion a ‘flagrant’ foul may be called on players for contact with opposing players with or without possession of the ball. This would result in a stationary penalty shot from the 4m line.

At the referee’s discretion, a red or yellow card may be handed out for flagrant or dangerous plays. A yellow card results in a penalty shot, and removal from the pool of the offending player. A second yellow card will result in a red card ejection.

Two hands may be used on the ball by all players except the goalie when outside of the crease.

A player should maintain possession of the ball for a maximum of fifteen (15) seconds.

When the goalie has possession of the ball, the opposing players should stay a distance of one metre from the goalie. Goalie privileges are only in effect behind the two meter line. Goalies may not go over the centre. Goalies are not permitted to sink the ball on the swim off.

NEW: Goalies are not allowed to score.

Crossing the 2m line is only permitted if the ball is carried across the line, or is already there.

All players, with the exception of the goalie, should sit in their innertube in order to play the ball (or be involved in play). Penalty for infraction is loss of ball.

If the ball leaves the pool it should be awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball at a point closest to where it went out. At the end of the pool it should go to the corner or the goalie. Goalies can only use one hand on the ball outside of the crease. Goalies can throw a pass across centre.

Splashing is permitted, provided the game is in play, it is directed at the player with possession of the ball, and is not excessive, and is not directed at the goalie.

The ball cannot be held underwater, and violations will result in a change of possession.

Substitutions are permitted at any time when the ball is in your half of the pool and players enter and exit beside the goal at their end.

Goalies are not allowed to sit on the side of the pool. One arm is the only part of the body that can be against the side of the pool for rest purposes only.

POSSESSION CHANGE

<>When the ball is re-entering the game through a change of possession, the ball must be passed to a player on their team before a shot on goal can be taken.

N.B. Any player ejected from a game for discipline reasons (eg. red card in soccer, game misconduct in hockey) is automatically suspended for at least the next game. When a longer suspension may be necessary, the team captain/representative will be contacted by the Intramural Office with details.