Inner Tube Water Polo Rules

I. Governing Rules

The rules of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations will apply in all situations except where a special Oregon State University Intramurals rule applies.

II. Eligibility

All participants must be either students registered at Oregon State University or Faculty/Staff/Affiliate with a Recreational Sports Membership. Only three water polo club members will be permitted to play on a team, and one of the three players must be a member of the opposite sex’s club. For example: 2 men’s club players and 1 women’s club player, or 2 women’s club players and 1 men’s club player. For more information on eligibility, consult the Intramurals Handbook.

III. Equipment

  • No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.) or metal hair clips are allowed in the pool at any time. Players must remove items immediately or leave the game.
  • Teams will be provided with a game ball and caps for all team members participating. Equipment must be returned at the completion of the game.
  • Appropriate water polo attire must be worn at all times. Women must wear a one-piece swimsuit. A T-shirt or rash guard may be worn over a two-piece suit.
  • Fingernails and toenails must be short and not constitute a hazard.
  • No braces, casts, guards, or supports not appropriate for the water are permitted.
  • Inner tubes will be provided by Intramurals.

IV. Pregame

  • All participants must bring their ID card to the game site.
  • Team managers must check in with the Sport Program Associate on duty before each game to verify their team’s roster.
  • Team managers must check the score sheet to make sure all players who will participate are listed. If a player is not currently printed on the score sheet, the player must see the Sport Program Associate to gain approval before playing. Players will need their ID to be added.
  • Team managers are responsible for filling in cap numbers on the score sheet.
  • Team managers will take part in a pregame conference with the officials.

V. Event Structure

  • Game time listed on the schedule is the official game time.
  • Each team will consist of six (6) players: five (5) field players and a goalie (if desired).
  • You must have four (4) players in the pool ready for play at game time; otherwise a forfeit will be awarded to the opposing team.
  • Games consist of two (2) 12-minute halves with a halftime of approximately 3 minutes. Teams will switch sides at halftime.
  • Substitutions may occur on any whistle. Let the officials know.
  • This is an open league. Teams may be made up of any combination of men and women.
  • Three (3) water polo sport club members maximum per team, with only two (2) from any single gender’s club.
  • Teams will play in pool play followed by a single-elimination championship bracket.
  • Scorekeepers will keep the official game time by using the scoreboard on the court.
  • If the game ends in a tie, a 3-minute sudden-death overtime period will follow. Additional 3-minute sudden-death periods will be played until a team scores.

VI. Start of Play

  • At the start of each half, each team lines up at opposite ends of the pool, with hands or feet touching the wall. The goalie must be in the goal. If a team violates this rule, the referee will throw the ball to the opposite team.
  • When the whistle is blown, the clock starts and players may push off the wall. This is the only time players may push off the wall.
  • The referee will drop the ball in the middle of the pool.

VII. Scoring

  • To score a goal, the ball must completely enter the goal before the goal is scored. A ball part way in the goal is not a goal. Referee judgment is final.
  • If a player scoring a goal falls out of the tube due to the motion of the shot, the goal will not count. However, if the defensive player tips the offensive shooter off their tube, the goal will count. No personal foul will be called in this situation.
  • Goals count as one (1) point.
  • All shots must come from outside the two-yard line.
  • After a goal, the ball is put in play by the goalie who was just scored upon (after a whistle by the official). The goalie will have five (5) seconds to put the ball in play and must stay within the penalty area.
  • Mercy rule: If, in the last two minutes of the second half, a team is winning by eight (8) or more goals, the game will end.

VIII. Method of Play

  • No player may leave their inner tube in order to touch or maneuver the ball.
  • The only thing you may do when you are not in your tube is get back in your tube.
  • No offensive or defensive player is allowed within the goal area, with the exception of a goalie (2 yards in front of the goal).
  • If an offensive player is within the goal area, the referee will whistle a dead ball and the ball will be awarded to the opposite goalie.
  • If a goal is scored within the goal area, the goal will not count.
  • If a defensive player besides the goalie is in the goal area, a direct free throw will be awarded to whichever offensive player has possession of the ball.
  • Any player may enter the goal area if the ball is thrown or floats into the zone. Once the ball is recovered and possession is gained, that player must immediately make an attempt to exit the goal area.
  • No body contact is allowed.
  • No tipping of another player is allowed.
  • Players must be seated in the tube (players cannot put feet through the middle of the tube or ride the tube on their stomachs).
  • The goalkeeper, while within the penalty area, may not throw (or skip) the ball more than half the distance of the pool.
  • The goalkeeper may not handle the ball out of the tube. If the ball is traveling toward the goal and the goalkeeper handles the ball while out of the tube, a goal is awarded.

IX. Restarts

  • Indirect Free Throw (IDFT): The player has three (3) seconds to put the ball in play. Opponents must give the player one (1) yard of space. An offensive player, other than the thrower, must touch the ball before a goal can be scored.
  • Direct Free Throw (DFT): The player has three (3) seconds to put the ball in play. Opponents must give the person taking the throw one (1) yard of space and may not guard or interfere with the player until the ball is in play. It is not required for a second offensive player to touch the ball before a goal can be scored.
  • Corner Throw (CT): Awarded when the defensive team puts the ball over the end line. A corner throw is taken from the two-yard line and sideline corner by the offensive team. This is a direct restart.
  • Goalie Throw (GT): Ball is awarded to the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper has five (5) seconds to put the ball in play and may not use the five (5) seconds to travel outside of the penalty area.

X. Infractions

  • A ball thrown out of bounds will be awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball. If the ball goes out over the sideline, an IDFT will be allowed. If the ball goes out over the end line, a CT is awarded if the defense last touched the ball; a GT if last touched by offense.
  • The defense may not grab the goal; CT for the offense.
  • Holding the ball underwater; IDFT at the spot of the infraction for the defense.
  • Stalling: A player who is closely guarded (within 2 yards) must pass the ball within five (5) seconds or attempt to advance the ball toward the opponent’s goal; IDFT at the spot of the infraction.
  • Using the wall to gain an advantage (for example, pushing off the wall); IDFT at the spot of the infraction.
  • Kicking: Players may only kick the ball if no other player is around the ball (within two yards); IDFT at the spot of the infraction.

XI. Personal Fouls (Restarted by a DFT)

  • Holding, pushing, hitting, tackling, tipping, or dumping a participant.
  • Pushing off or impeding the movement of an opponent.
  • Striking the ball with a closed fist.
  • Deliberately splashing water in the face of an opponent.
  • A penalty shot will be awarded to the opposing team if the other team completes a set of six (6) personal fouls.
  • Penalty shots are taken four (4) yards in front of the goal.
  • Any player on the offended team is allowed to take the shot.
  • If the shot is blocked, the ball is dead and it becomes a GT.

XII. Conduct

Unsportsmanlike conduct includes actions which are unbecoming to an ethical, fair, and honorable individual. It consists of acts of deceit, disrespect, or vulgarity and includes taunting.

XIII. Ejections

Any player ejected from a game will be immediately suspended from participating in all Intramurals activities. The ejected player must then make an appointment with the Coordinator of Intramurals and Sports Coordinator to determine the length of suspension and any other sanctions. The following actions can result in ejections from Intramurals Inner Tube Water Polo:

  • Improper language
  • Unsporting conduct

Contact: Sport Programs Office, (541) 737-4083, 111 Dixon Recreation Center
Revised: 1/30/2024