| Inner Tube Water Polo Rules | | Print | |
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NYC Social Sports Club Rules
Number of Players A team consists of 6 players (5 and a goalie, or 6 attackers if goalie is ‘pulled’), but teams may play with a minimum of 4 players. Each team must have a minimum of two men and two women playing at all times. Substitutions
If a team is short the required number of players in a regular season game, the team may invite players from other teams in their division to sub in for their game. Substitutions from outside the division are now allowed as well; for more info and to register as a Sub, CLICK HERE. Substitutions during the playoffs are not permitted. In game, teams may substitute when a goal is scored or when a play is whistled dead Game Length and Structure Each half will be 20 minutes with a continuously running clock. The clock will stop in the last 2 minutes of the game if the score is within 3 goals. Half time will be 5 minutes or less. Teams will change sides at half time. If there are injuries, the clock will not stop and no time will be added to the end of the game due to pool reservation time constraints. During the regular season, a game can end on a tie. During the playoffs, all ties at the end of playing time will be broken by a shootout. GENERAL INNER TUBE WATER POLO RULES
Equipment NYC Social Sports Club will provide inner tubes, nets, and a game ball for each contest. DO NOT DEFLATE THE INNER TUBES ON PURPOSE. Shoes, hats, casts, shirts, jewelry and/or any other item deemed to be dangerous by a referee must be removed prior to game play. If a player is in violation of the equipment rule, they will be ejected from the game and the team will play a man down for 2 minutes. Inner Tube All players must sit in a horizontal position, facing up inside the inner tube. If a player falls out of their tube, the player may not participate in the game in any way.
Play Area - Sidelines The court is the rectangle formed by the pool walls and lane lines. A ball is considered in-bounds until it makes contact with the pool deck or pool surface outside the boundary area. Any shot or pass that ricochets off a diving board, backstroke flags or other pool equipment within the court boundary and lands in-bounds is a live ball. The ball changes possession when it goes out-of-bounds. A player may make a play on a ball outside the play court as long as:
Play Area - Goal Box
The goal box is the area between the edge of the pool and 5 feet in front of the goal (a line on the pool may delineate this). Only the goalie is permitted within the goal box. A defensive player may not voluntarily travel inside the goal box to make a defensive play. An infraction results in a penalty shot. An exception to this is when a defending player is permitted in the goal box to retrieve a ball outside the goalie's reach. The player must give the ball back to the goalie before play resumes. An offensive player may not voluntarily travel inside the goal box to make an offensive play. An infraction results in a free throw by the goalie. A ball that travels out-of-bounds within the goal box is given to the goalie for a free throw. Start of Play To start each half, and after each goal, both teams line up at opposite ends of the pool along the wall. All players, except the goalie, must be in contact with the wall before play begins. The referee will throw the ball into the center of the pool while simultaneously whistling to begin play. Once the official’s whistle blows, players may start paddling towards the ball. Players may push off the wall to start the game. Stoppage of Play The referee blowing his/her whistle always signals an immediate stoppage of play and a dead ball. This can be for free throws, fouls, injuries, penalties, or any other reason the referee deems necessary. The play stops if the ball travels out-of-bounds for any reason. Possession The last player to make contact with the ball has possession. A player may not hold the ball completely under the water. Players may not deliberately hold the ball to delay the game. At the referee’s discretion, a delay of game warning will be issued. Subsequent offenses will result in a delay of game penalty and a free throw for the offensive team. When two opposing players are both in possession of the ball, the ball will be awarded to the offensive team for a free throw. Players move with the ball by:
Contact Between Players Flipping is legal. The only permitted contact is pushing down on the top of the tube or lifting straight up from the bottom. DO NOT GRAB AND HOLD ON TO SOMEONE’S TUBE. IT POPS TUBES AND HURTS GAMEPLAY. Inner tube to inner tube contact is legal. Incidental inner tube to body contact is legal. A defending player may touch the ball when it is in possession of an opposing player by swatting the ball out of player’s hand. Any illegal contact between players will result in a free throw. Bottom line, keep it clean. Do: Make a play on the ball. Do NOT: Tackle the person with the ball. Offensive Flipping The person in possession of the ball may flip a defender to defend the ball. If it gets out of hand an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty may be called at the ref’s discretion. Defensive Flipping The defense may ONLY flip the person in direct possession of the ball. Not the person who last touched the ball and not the person about to touch the ball. Free Throws
Free throws are awarded for violations at the point nearest the spot of the infraction. During a free throw, the person who starts the ball into play has 3 seconds to pass the ball to a teammate. A goal may not be scored until a second offensive player touches the ball after the free throw. The defense must provide 2 feet of space from the point of the free throw. Free throws are awarded in the following scenarios:
Penalty Shots Penalty shots shall be taken by the offended player at the backstroke flags (if no flags exist, it should be 5 meters or 15 feet from wall). No defensive player may be within 2 feet of the shooter. If the result of the penalty shot is not a goal, the ball remains in play (however, in a shootout, the ball is dead if the ball does not go in the net.). A penalty shot will be awarded in the following scenarios:
Goalie
The goalie may not abandon his/her tube in an attempt to block a shot from entering the goal. Goalies do not have to sit in the tube but rather just have a part of their body in/through it at all times. If the goalie leaves his/her tube while blocking a shot on goal, this will result in a Penalty Shot for the offensive team. The goalie may never pass the ball beyond the mid-pool line. The goalie may not leave the goal box area during play unless they are properly seated in their inner tube. Once they leave the crease the net is empty and no one else may sub into the goal position until the next stoppage of play. Once the goalie gains possession of the ball, he/she will have 3 seconds to release the ball. A ball in play may be passed back to the goalie. The goalie will have 3 seconds to release the ball. A goalie can be pulled for another attacking player during normal substitution times (see Substitutions). Goals
A goal is scored when a legal shot (taken outside the goal box) completely crosses the goal line. The player scoring a goal must remain in his/her tube after the goal is scored or the score will be disallowed. A shot taken from inside the goal box will be disallowed and the ball will be given to the goalie for a free throw. After a goal is scored, the referee will start play in the center of the pool again (see Start of Play). Penalties
All penalties are administered at the referee’s discretion. Penalties where the offending player must sit out and their team plays down until the next stoppage include:
2-Minute Penalties Penalties where the offending team plays a player down for 2 minutes:
Ejection Penalties where the offending player is ejected from the facility immediately and the team plays 1 player down for the rest of the game:
Shootouts (Playoffs only)
Games cannot end in a tie during the playoffs, so a shootout will be held if the score is tied at the end of the game. Five players from each team will be selected by the team to shoot (goalkeepers may be one of the shooters). At least 2 men and 2 women must shoot. Each team has a total of 5 penalty shots and will alternate each shot. There are no rebounds. The referee signals the start of each penalty shot with a whistle blow. Teams must have an equal ratio of male to females during penalty shots (e.g., both teams must have either 3 women and 2 men or 3 men and 2 women shooting). Teams must alternate genders and the selected shooters do not have to have been in the pool at the end of play (they can be substitutes). Goalies must be the same as the goalies from the end of play. A coin flip or another creative method of determining order will decide which team shoots first. If the score is tied at the end of the first shootout, a ‘sudden-death’ shootout will ensue: Once one team leads after an equal number of shots have taken, the game is over. Only players who shot in the first round are eligible to shoot in the second round. The order established in the first round will be maintained in the second round. Forfeits Teams should report to the pool at least 15 minutes before their scheduled starting time of the game. A team will be forced to forfeit their game if any of the following occur: - No one from the team is present at game time - The minimum number of players are not present (4) - Not enough female players are present - Improper conduct Teams will forfeit if they have not shown up by the scheduled game time. Exceptions can be made if a team is waiting on a couple of players (e.g. transit issues) with the understanding that the delay will cut time from the end of their game, and that the final decision is subject to the referee’s discretion. Sportsmanship points will be deducted from teams that forfeit a game due to a 'no-show' or a 'low-show.' Teams can minimize the deduction by Contacting Us ahead of time. Teams will receive:
Inclement Weather Season Abandonment Registered teams that miss two weeks of play will be considered to have abandoned their place in the league. Teams in this category will be contacted by a NYC Social Sports Club staff member to confirm their status. Teams failing to respond within two business days will be removed from the season schedule and will forfeit their registration fees. Teams that do respond will be required to supply reasoning for lack of attendance and petition the league for reinstatement. Season abandonment and reactivation decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the league management and must be resolved before returning to play in the current season or in subsequent seasons. Sportsmanship Rules Each team will be awarded a sportsmanship score following the game. Teams must have an avg. sportsmanship score of 4.0 at the end of the regular season to participate in the playoffs. Any team receiving below a 3.5 sportsmanship score will be required to send an email to the league explaining their actions before the team/offending players will be allowed to compete again. Scores are below: 5.0 – Excellent conduct and sportsmanship: This is the baseline, grading should start here. A team that does not have any problems will receive a '5'. Players cooperate fully with the officials and other team members. The captain calmly converses with the officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates & fans. 4.5 – Very few complaints. A good match with very little or no taunting or unsportsmanlike behavior exhibited by either team. 4.0 – Average conduct and sportsmanship: Team members verbally complain about some decisions made by the officials and/or show minor dissent. 3.5 – Team (and/or fans) complains more frequently and may get warned for unsportsmanlike behavior, but NO unsportsmanlike conduct penalties are assessed. Teams that alert the office before either a 'no-show' or 'low-show' forfeit are assigned a rating of 3.5.3.0 – Below average conduct and sportsmanship: Team shows verbal dissent toward officials and/or opposing team that merits an unsportsmanlike penalty. Captain exhibits minor control over his/her teammates, spectators, but is in control of himself/herself. Teams that don't alert the office before a 'low-show' forfeit are assigned a rating of 3. 2.5 – No more than two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. No ejections. Captain tries to help the situation. Teams that don't alert the office before a no-show forfeit are assigned a rating of 2.5. 2.0 – Poor conduct and sportsmanship: Team member and/or spectators constantly comment to the officials and/or opposing team from the field and/or sidelines. Captain has some control over team. A team has no more than two unsportsmanlike penalties and/or will receive a 2.0 if one player gets ejected from match. 1.5 – Single ejection or multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, fans, or himself/herself. 1.0 – Multiple ejections. Captain has NO control over team and/or is not willing to work with NYC Social Sports Club Game Staff. 0.5 – Unacceptable conduct and sportsmanship: Captain has no control over teammates and/or himself/herself. Captain gets penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior. Team is completely uncooperative. Any team which receives multiple ejections or has a match stopped due to sportsmanship will receive a '1' rating. Ejected players and team captain must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues. 0 – Out of control conduct and little to no sportsmanship: Fighting, shoving players, and shoving supervisors. Multiple ejections or behavior so poor that it merits comparison to a fight or to actual contact of an employee. If the match is discontinued due to teams’ poor behavior, a rating of '0' will be given. A team that receives a 0 rating must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues. Note: Teams that do not arrive to the game with the appropriate colored jerseys will be docked a half a point (.5) for each missing t-shirt from their earned Sportsmanship Rating. Any team that has two (2) ejections for unsportsmanlike conduct during the same contest will receive a loss and a '1' in sportsmanship rating, plus their team captain will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why his team should be allowed back. Ejected Participants All ejected participants will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why they should be allowed to play again. Additionally, any individual ejected will be placed on the Sanction List and will not be permitted to participate in ANY hosted event until such time determined by the league. Participation in any further events prior to approval from the league will be looked upon as a blatant disregard of our policies. When rendering any further penalties, NYC Social Sports Club will take this action into account. Rulings may include, but are not limited to: probation, game/league suspension, and in severe cases, lifetime expulsion.
PLAYOFFS AND AWARDS The playoffs will include the top teams in a single elimination tournament. The top three teams will receive medals and prizes. Bar and Spirit Awards will be awarded to individual teams. For more info on our Season Awards, CLICK HERE. Teams not making the playoffs will be awarded a consolation game during the last week of the season. To be eligible for playoffs, teams cannot forfeit more than one game during the season. They must also have an average sportsmanship rating of at least ‘4.0’. Any team receiving a below average sportsmanship rating during the playoffs will be eliminated from the playoffs, plus their team captain will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why his team should be allowed back into future leagues. MOST IMPORTANTLY! THIS IS A SOCIAL LEAGUE: Have fun and make new friends. The game may or may not go your way, but the beer is still cold and cheap afterwards!  |
