Worcester State College
Intramural Rules
Rules
Players (men’s, women’s). All teams must have a captain or contact person and have an answering machine. That person must attend a captain’s meeting before the first game. A roster must be provided before/during this meeting. The captain should relay contents of the meeting to their teammates.
Administration, staff, faculty, and students are eligible to play. No exceptions on that rule. Teams should attempt to wear the same colored T-shirt for games. The game schedule is final. There will be no adjusting of game times. No teams will be accepted after the date of the captain’s meeting (posted on the intramural flyer). Individual players can be added to teams – captain’s are responsible for calling them in reference to game times. After the 1st game, the roster is final. This roster will be consulted for the rest of the season including play-offs. Only 1 former varsity football player per team. No one who was on a varsity roster during the current year may participate in that particular sport (this pertains to all intramural events). Rosters will be checked before all play-off games. Players must play in at least 50% of the games to be eligible for the playoffs.
Field: On the Astroturf the short way. Field is 30 yards wide. Sidelines (10 yards) are the end zones. Yellow lines are the back of the end zones.
Game: Will consist of 2 halves of 25-minutes of running time. A 30-point mercy rule will be in effect for all games.
Scoring: Touchdown=6 points. Safety=2 points. PAT=1 point (no kicking).
Kickoffs: Made by place kicking or punting – no throwing. Kickoff from 10 yard marker. Receiving team lines up at 20 yard line with at least 3 men on that line until kick is made. No onside kicks. Kicking team may recover if the ball goes over opponent’s 20 yard line. Receiving team may advance the ball by running or lateral the ball. If kick is out of bounds inside the 20, it is put in play on the 20. If it goes out of bounds outside the 20, it is put in play at the spot. If ball is kicked out of end zone it is put in play at the 10 yard line. You can down a kickoff and fair-catch a punt.
Punts: All punts are free kicks. No rushing. Teams must announce that they are punting. No fakes or throwing.
Positions of Players: Both teams shall have 7 players. A team may start with 6. If the point spread reaches 30 points that game is stopped. A minimum of 3 players must start in the “offensive box” at all times when starting play on offense (i.e. hiker, 2 guards). Those players are NOT eligible to catch a pass. The defense must have at least 3 men on the “defensive box” when play starts (i.e. rushing the QB). Only 1 offensive player may be in motion parallel to the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. All offensive men must huddle before a play starts.
Downs: 4 downs allowed for the length of the field. The ball changes hands after 4th down if no score has been made.
Passing: Any number of lateral passes may be made. Only 1 forward pass per play. All players are eligible to receive a pass except 3 people starting on the line. If a pass is intercepted, laterals are allowed by the returning team.
Fumbles: All fumbles touching the ground are immediately dead. Team fumbling retains possession. Fumbled ball by the offensive team in their end zone is a safety.
Timeouts: Each team will have one 30-second timeout each half. A 1 minute timeout will be given between halves. Teams switch sides after half-time. Timer will count down the last min. of halves. Official’s timeouts for injuries, explanations, or anything deemed necessary by the refs. Clock is stopped for extra point tries (PAT). Clock is stopped for touchdowns, or an official consultation concerning rule interpretation. Timeouts will not be allowed for substitution therefore they must be made quickly.
Penalties - FIVE YARDS: More than 20 seconds to start a play. More than 1 timeout called per half. More than 7 men on the field (i.e. keep the subs away from the action). Players not in the huddle before play starts. This will be enforced. Delay of game by deliberate stall with subs (subs can come into play at any time). Punter not 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Penalties - FIFTEEN YARDS: Leaving feet to touch an opponent (i.e. no diving). Pass interference by offensive team. Offensive holding. Unsportsman-like conduct. Teams will be given 1 warning for swearing. Then a penalty will be issued for a future infraction. Defensive holding then an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. Defensive pass interference from previous spot. No loss of down.
LOSS OF BALL: Unnecessary roughness in blocking, or clipping.
Late Arrivals: Forfeit is awarded if a team is late 10 minutes. Two forfeits will disqualify the team from that season.
Disqualification: Unsportsmanlike conduct. Only designated team captain may talk to the referees. Ref’s judgment is FINAL as to acts by players that merit ejection. Ejection from a game for flagrant unnecessary roughness will result in a 1 game suspension. Fighting is an automatic suspension and reinstatement will be made only after a personal interview between the offender and the intramural director. Refs will have the total backing of the intramural director.
Tie Games: Regular season, one 4-minute sudden-death running time period. Toss of coin determines choice. If game is still tied it remains a tie. Playoff games will be determined by a continuous sudden death period until there is a winner.
Equipment: Only gym or tennis shoes are permitted (no cleats). Equipment such as helmets, pads are prohibited.
T-shirts will be awarded to all team members for the championship team. You must be present.
Weather: Games will be played weather permitting. Assume they are on. Safety always is the #1 priority. The refs/intramural director will make the call. Cancelled games will be not be made up. Dr. Baker will call the captains in case games are canceled for that day.
HR Derby
(on softball field): 1 day, 10 swings, bring own bats if possible + gloves to shag, 1 pt=ball lands in OF grass, 2 pts=reaches fence, 3 pts=hits fence in air, 5 pts=HR (doesn’t count towards swing total), prizes to top male/female for each class frosh-sr.
Reverse Co-Ed rules: Net at women's height. Women can attack from the net. Men must attack from behind the 10ft line. Men cannot block at the net. 6 players per team on the court (max 10 on roster). Each team must have at least 4 players to begin a match. Each match will be best 2 out of 3 games. Games will be rally scoring. Games 1 and 2 to 25. Game 3 will be to 15. All other standard volleyball rules apply. 1st game of night responsible for setting up the nets. Last game of night responsible for putting the nets away. T-shirts for winning play-off team.
Basketball
5v5. Leagues: Men & Women Leagues. 20 minutes running time. ½ court with 2 baskets. Scoring=1 point for made basket. No timeouts or 3-pointers. Sub after a made basket (sit on top of bleachers). Warm-up period only if no one on court. No OT – if tied after 20 min. next point wins. 1 former varsity basketball player per team. Max 7 people on a roster. No limit to number of teams. Make sure you name your team and inform all team members of game time(s). Ex. post schedule/email on your dorm floor/apartment. Two-min. warm-up period if time allows. Games need to start at the set time. Don’t interrupt other teams playing. For shooting fouls, offensive team awarded with 1 point. Thus, don’t foul when a player is shooting or risk a point for the offense. No limit to team or player fouls. No diving for loose balls and no jump balls. Technical fouls = 1 point for other team + lose possession of the ball. Wear same colored T-shirts to distinguish your team. Teams without same colored shirts automatically wear IM pinnies. To start games, 1 team shoots a free throw for the ball. After each win, confirm to see when your team plays next. Playoff format (# of games) depends on total # of teams. T-shirts go to championship teams along with a team photo. Players must play in at least 50% of their team’s games to be eligible for the playoffs. All rulings by Coach Baker are final and are not open to interpretation. For games canceled due to weather will not be made up. Check the IM website or call 929-8852 if wondering if the games are on. Zero tolerance for rough-play or verbal taunts towards refs. Don’t even speak to the refs or the scorekeepers. When you argue, time is running. Be courteous to the refs and scorekeepers. Poor sportsmanship affects a player/team’s entry to other IM leagues. Have fun and play fair.
Street/Floor Hockey
2 Leagues: Men & Women. Street=on the turf. Floor=in the gym. 2 games (2 nets for each game) going on at once in the gym with white fence in-between. Subs sit on top of the bleachers. 5 players plus a goalie. 30 min. games with running time. Sub on the fly or after goals. Wear the same color team T-shirts (1st team to sign-in will NOT have to wear pinnies). After goals, defensive team starts play from their end – wait for the whistle (no face-offs). Penalties: checking, high-sticking, and slashing = penalty shot. After 3 penalties, other team awarded 1 point. No charging the net on a goalie cover-up. No slapshots - only wristshots. This will be strictly enforced. Goalies must play the ball after a cover-up. Defenders have to clear this play. Goalies must bring their own gloves. If the ball gets stuck in the bleachers, the ref will call a face-off. Players must use IM sticks with socks covering the entire blade – no personal sticks allowed. No off-sides or icing. Stay on your feet (no diving to block/stop shots). Players must play in at least 50% of their team’s games to be eligible for the playoffs. Rosters will be checked for every game. No warm-up period due to the tight gym schedule. 5 min. grace period for late teams then a forfeit is called. Tell your fans to sit on top of the bleachers. Be ready to go when your team plays. Be early. All games start on time. Games called for bad weather will not be made up. No current varsity ice hockey players allowed. 1 former varsity hockey player per men’s team. T-shirts to the play-off winner in each league. Hang up/email your team’s IM game schedule, so your team knows the IM dates/times.
Stickball
Games are played in the gym. Length of games will either be time or 6 inn. depending on the # of teams and gym schedule. No umpires (self-ump). Equipment: throw-down bases, Nerf balls, and stickball bat. L.L. Rules: 3 outs inn., 3-2 count, no stealing, walks or bunting, can strike out, 1 fielder at each base including catcher, pitch must be lobbed, balls off walls in play. 2 weeks of games. T-shirts to winning team.
Outdoor/Indoor Soccer
Outdoor=on the turf (7v7). Indoor=in the gym (7v7). 2 weeks of games. 7v7 (roster limit of 10) with goalies. Leagues: men and women. Standard soccer rules. Wear team T-shirts. No diving or leaving feet when playing the ball. No black soled shoes. T-shirts to winning team.
Dodgeball
Co-ed. 6 balls, 8 people per side, hit=out, catch ball in air=other person out & teammate can re-enter (in order), eliminated people go to end court=can pass balls to teammates, no head shots, can’t cross center line, set time limit, men can’t out# women, can start with less than 8, play best of 3.
Softball
Play on the turf or softball field. Bring your own gloves & bats though IM equipment will be provided. Over-sized ball will be used. 6-inning games. Standard slow-pitch rules.
Ultimate Frisbee
Games are played on the turf. 7v7 (max. 10 per roster). Men, women, and co-ed leagues. Play short way with end zones – 30 yards across. Kick-off (throw to other team) with each team at own end. 1 pt. for touchdowns. Loser’s walk after TDs. You cannot run with the Frisbee. 5 seconds to throw. Defender calls out the count. Defender’s distance=must allow offense to throw the Frisbee. No physical contact allowed between players. Picks and screens not allowed. Dropped Frisbees=other team takes over from that spot. Teams will self-ref and make own calls about fouls and scores. No diving. Wear distinctive team colors. T-shirts to winning team.