Competition
Inner Tube Water Polo is a Tier One event. The competition begins as a round-robin tournament within each battalion.
Roster
This is a cadet-only event. The desired roster size is seven players. Five players are in the pool at once, one of whom is identified as the goalkeeper. Four players are required to avoid a forfeit. One player from each team is designated as the team captain before the start of play.
Rules
Start time is forfeit time; there is no grace period for players arriving late. Two game forfeits disqualify a team from further play.
Games are played in two 10-minute halves with a 3-minute break between halves. The clock runs continuously, except when interrupted by injury.
In the event of a tie at the end of regulation play, teams will play to sudden victory: the first team to score wins.
All players must sit horizontally inside the inner tube.
Players may be substituted when the ball is not in play, e.g., after a goal is scored. A substitute goalie must notify the opposing team.
At the start of the game and at the start of the second half, teams line up in front of their own goals. When the ball is tossed into the center of the pool, teams may move to take possession.
If a female scores a goal, the point value is two.
There is no offside rule: all players may go anywhere in the field of play. However, only the goalie may touch or use the side of the pool.
Players dribble the ball by pushing it in the water, holding it between their knees, with one hand in the air, against their body, or in their lap. It is illegal to keep the ball entirely underwater.
After a shot-on-goal or a score, the goalie puts the ball into play. The goalie has five seconds to release the ball. The goalie may not pass the ball beyond midfield.
Violation of any of the following rules results in a change of possession. The goalie of the team taking possession puts the ball back into play.
- intentionally splashing or tipping an opponent
- kicking an opponent
- dunking an opponent
- charging, rushing, or holding an opponent
- other dangerous play as judged by lifeguards
The team of any player who is ejected finishes the game with four players, i.e., the team plays one man down.
The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association governs all other rules.