General Rules & Regs

BACK: OHSWPC Policy & Procedures ...Oregon HS Water Polo webpage

Updated Sat, Mar 29, 2008. Questions? Contact me at "tuleya@yahoo.com"

Official Rulebook

The official rules and rulebook used for Oregon High School Water Polo will be the National Federation of State High School Associations; Rules. This set of rules, with yearly updates, shall govern OHSWPC rules at least through the Fall 2005 season. Any proposed clarifications to individual rules shall be submitted to the Board of Directors.

Note by Ray Tuleya:
The words in italics had been updated as there has been no change away from the HS rulebook

OSAA Rules & Regs

The Oregon High School Water Polo Committee has adopted the Oregon Schools Activities Association rules and regulations to govern water polo. The Metro league and Mt. Hood league teams are required by their leagues to follow the OSAA rules and regulations. Exceptions to the OSAA Constitution rules and regulations should be included in this manual. Any exception not specifically addressed by this manual should be brought immediately to the Board of Directors for timely ruling.

Notes by Ray Tuleya:
Changes in italics adopted in May 1996. Previously had been refered to as the Northern District prior to the 1995 change to a 4 league state format.

Out of Season

Notes by Ray Tuleya:
The rule in italics below is no longer current. OHSWPC follows the OSAA rule of 2.
OHSWPC amended the rule below in May 1998, to follow the then Mt Hood Conference SOP. This was done after other OSAA districts added the rule, but prior to the OSAA ruling.

Out of season coaching will be left up to the individual League/District S.O.P.
(Adopted by membership this 6th day of May, 1997)

Private Schools

If a student is a member of a private school which is not OSAA approved and their private school does not have a water polo team, that student may play for the public school in which geographical boundaries they reside.
(Adopted by membership this 26th day of August, 1997)

Notes by Ray Tuleya:
This rule was a supplement to the OSAA rule on Private Schools. Their rule required the private school to be part of OSAA. Since OHSWPC is not part of the OSAA, that could not be required.

Combined Teams

Two neighboring schools who have not previously participated in OHSWPC water polo may combine their athletes in order to field a league team. These combined teams are restricted to two (2) years, or less of combined participation, at which time they must separate and represent their respective schools. These new combined teams will be eligible to participate in the state playoffs and championship.
(Addition to the By-Laws, mail in ballot, voted and approved August 29, 2000)

Notes by Ray Tuleya:
This rule was originally adopted prior to the amended language above with an additional year waiver allowed if necessary.

Length of Season

The OHSWPC season will follow OSAA guidelines. The season shall end with the State Tournament on the second weekend of November. The high school teams are limited to eighteen dual contests outside of playoffs and tournaments. Only three regular season tournaments are allowed per team. As per OSAA rules, jamborees are not considered tournaments.

Notes by Ray Tuleya:
Words in italics adopted May 1996 for clarification, not as a change in the rules.

Game Time

All District and State Playoffs and Championships will be seven minute quarters. League varsity games must have at least six minute quarters and junior varsity should have five minute quarters. All games shall follow shallow/deep specifications for overtime purposes. Local high school tournaments, other than playoffs, may choose their own time and overtime limitations, not exceeding rule limits.

Notes by Ray Tuleya:
The word "be" in italics replaced: "follow the guidelines of the National Federation rule book," in May 1996. That year a change to 6 minute quarters for playoffs and the Championship was adopted due to host pool requirements. It was changed back later.

Accidents & Injuries

In case of accident, injury or extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the referee, the game may be stopped and the incident addressed or the injured player replaced immediately. Aggressive treatment of open wounds or lesions should be followed. In particular, whenever a player suffers a laceration or wound where oozing or bleeding occurs, a game should be stopped at the earliest possible time, and the player should leave the field of play and given appropriate medical treatment.

Notes by Ray Tuleya:
This rule was adopted in 1995 (amended in May 1996) prior to the OSAA adopting a similar rule.

JV/Varsity

Seniors may not play in Junior Varsity matches unless it is their first year of competition; exceptions can be made for special needs. Separate girls and boys junior varsity quarters are encouraged. The opposing coaches must agree to any mixture of girls and boys during any junior varsity contest.

State Fees

A $50 fee will be required of all member schools participating in Oregon High School Water Polo. The Board of Directors shall set a due date and any subsequent penalties.
Effective 8/27/96, new programs consisting of only one team will have a fee of $25. per year for the first two years, or until a second team is added. Whichever occurs first.