IM Water Polo
Rule 1. The Game, Playing Area, Players, and Equipment
Section 1. The Game
Article 1. The game shall be played between two teams of seven players, four men and three women, each. Six players are required to avoid forfeit, no less than 2 must be female.
Section 2. The Playing Area
Article 1. The length and distance between respective goal lines should not exceed
thirty yards.
Article 2. Pool Markings: Distinctive markings, clearly visible to players on both
sides of the pool denoting the goal line, 2-yard line, goal area, penalty area, and
center of pool.
Article 3. Goals: Regulation water polo goals or rigid goal posts and crossbar fixed
to the end of the pool, the width of each goal is 3 meters or 10 feet. The crossbar is
3 feet above the water surface with a limp net attached to the goal frames. The
goals must be positioned at the ends of the pool equal distance from sides lines.
Article 4. Goal Area: Six feet from the end of the pool and six feet from each side
of the pool.
Article 5. Penalty Area: Twelve feet from the end of the pool and fifteen feet from
the side of the pool.
Section 3. The Players
Article 1. Positions: Right, center, and left forwards. Right, center, and left
backs, and goalkeeper.
A) Forwards may not penetrate the 2 yard line with any part of their bodies.
Article 2. Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is the only player allowed in the goal area.
He / she shall wear a cap distinctive from all other caps.
Article 3. Goalkeeper position
A) The goalkeeper may not thrown the ball more than half the length of the
pool at any time.
B) The goalkeeper may sit in a horizontal or vertical position inside the
innertube.
Section 4. The Equipment
Article 1. Innertubes
A) The innertubes used are standard automobiles tubes fully inflated.
B) To prevent injury to players getting into or out of the tube, the stems
should be taped with several layers of adhesive tape.
Article 2. Balls: Official regulation water polo balls.
Article 3. Caps: Each team should wear contrasting colored caps, and goalies
should wear quartered caps.
Rule 2. Periods, Time Factors, Substitutions
Section 1. Periods
Article 1. A game shall consist of two fourteen minute periods. Teams change ends
at the end of each period.
Article 2. If the score is tied at the end of regulation play, one four minute period
shall be played. If the score remains tied, a sudden victory overtime period of three
minutes is played during which time the team that scores first shall be the winner.
Section 2. Time Factors
Article 1. The clock will run continuously except during timeouts, after scores, and
for injuries. There will be a five minute intermission between periods.
Article 2. Each team is entitled to two timeouts per game plus one additional
timeout per overtime. Timeouts are one minute in duration. Timeouts not used
during regulation do not carry over into the overtime period.
Section 3. Substitutions
Article 1. Substitutions may be made during timeouts, after a goal is scored, or
between periods.
Rule 3. Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds
Section 1. Method of Play
Article 1. Each team lines up at opposite ends of the pool at the start of play.
Article 2. Play starts when the official throws the ball into the center of the playing
area and both teams propel their innertubes toward the ball. After each score, the
ball is put in play by the official by returning it to the goal just scored upon.
Section 2. Out-of-Bounds
Article 1. A free throw-in from the same point the ball went out of bounds is
awarded to the opposing team. The player nearest to where the ball goes out-of-
bounds takes the throw.
Rule 4. Conduct of Players
Section 1. Infractions
Article 1. Infractions are penalized by the loss of possession of the ball to opponent by a free throw-in. Infractions include:
A). Holding onto the pool wall while in possession of the ball. Rule also applies to the goalkeeper.
B). Holding the ball underwater.
C). Goalkeeper throwing the ball more than half the length of the pool.
D). Goalkeeper holding onto the side of the pool while catching or passing the ball, or pushing off the bottom of the pool while attempting to deflect a try for goal.
E). Offensive player within the goalkeeper's area.
F). Offensive player failing to release the ball in five seconds (stalling).
Article 2. After a minor infraction, a non-violating team member nearest the spot of infraction puts the ball into play by passing or advancing the ball. Opponents may not touch, impede, or interfere with one's attempt to pass the ball. One pass must be made before any attempted goal.
Section 2. Personal Fouls
Article 1. The following fouls are penalized by losing possession of the ball to the other team, which receives a free throw:
A). Holding, punching, hitting, jumping on, tackling, ducking, or dumping an opponent player not holding the ball.
B). Player persistently repeating an infraction even after the official has given warnings.
C). Tipping an opponent out of his/her tube immediately after scoring in an attempt to discount the score.
D). No player may leave his/her innertube and touch or manuever the ball; otherwise he/she is assessed a personal foul and a free throw or penalty throw is awarded his/her nearest opponent. Also, if tipped out of the tube, a player may not touch or control the ball until he/she is back in the tube.
Article 2. The following situations result in the opposing team awarded a penalty throw:
A). Offensive player fouled in the penalty area while controlling the ball and facing the goal.
B). Offensive player being fouled when the opponent has been called in excess of seven team fouls per half.
Article 3. All players except the goalkeeper must leave the penalty area until the penalty throw is taken. NO player may be within 1 yard of the thrower. Should the penalty throw be missed, the ball is a free ball and continues in play.
Rule 5. Scoring
Section 1. Point Value
Article 1. Goals made by males count one point and goals made by females count two points.
Article 2. The last offensive player to touch the ball shall be credited with the score.
Article 3. A goal is scored when the entire ball has passed over the goal line between the goalpost and under the cross-bar.