C.W.F.A. WATER BALL RULES
EQUIPMENT:
Standard 15 inch ball of 16 gauge steel, figure #1 ball to be painted yellow, hanger to be painted black. Cable shall be 3/8 inch, 6 strand, hemp center, and regular lay, 12,000 pound breaking strength or better. No greasing of cable. Cable shall be 10 feet above court. Cable shall be made as tight as possible.
The C.W.F.A. does own water ball nozzles that can be rented for water ball events, other than the annual conference. The rental is fifty ($50.00) dollars for non- CWFA members with twenty-five ($25.00) being refunded if the nozzles are returned within 2 days from the date of use.
PLAYING FIELD:
Water ball equipment shall be erect on level street or other playing surface of suitable type for secure footing when wet. The “A” frames shall be 110 feet apart. The court shall be 30 feet wide and 110 feet in length. The team, their captain and the contest officials are the only personnel allowed on the court during the contest.
The playing court shall be marked as follows: The center point of the cable shall be marked on equal distance from each end of the playing field. The cable shall be painted 3 feet each way from the center point, a total of six feet. This area is called “dead time.”
The 7 ½ feet marked each way from the center shall be marked 2 inches each way or a total of 4 inches of solid marking.
Starting line shall be marked 15 feet in each direction from center point. 2 inches each side painted total 4 inches.
Guard lines shall be marked 40 feet in each direction from the center point. Cable clamps shall be secured to the cable 45 feet in each direction from the center point.
PLAYING RULES/DOUBLE ELIMINATION/ 1 TEAM PER EVENT PER PAID MEMBERSHIP:
A men’s water ball team shall consist of one guard, three field men (nozzle man, back-up man, and hose man) and one coach. All members do not need to be from the same department, just the front two nozzle men, They cannot shoot nozzle for more than one team but can shoot backup or coach for another team.
A ladies water ball team shall consist of one guard , three field ladies nozzle lady, pressure holder can be a man or woman, one hose lady) and one coach (three of the field ladies must be from one department). The coach can either be a male or female. If a male coach, the coach cannot participate in the actual water ball competition, except to simply coach. There may be two coaches per ladies team. On the ladies team, the nozzle coach shall be 4 feet across from back guard to relay messages from coach. The assistant coach may relay messages from the coach and assist the back guard by holding the hose, but must not make contact with the nozzle.
The field personnel are permitted to stand any distance back of the 15 feet starting line at the beginning of the contest. After the contest is started, they are free to maneuver up to the opponents “Dead Time” line. The three field personnel may change position during any three minute heat. Between any heat, any of the five members may change positions. Teams change ends for the second heat of the contest.
The number one nozzle man cannot go past dead time box of the opponent. (This is for safety reasons.)The nozzle pressure shall be 90 pounds with both lead nozzles open. The two nozzle men must cross streams over the ball before the signal to start the contest.
The guard must stay back of the guard line 40 feet from center at all times while the contest is underway. The guard may turn on nozzle when the ball is on the 7 ½ foot mark and must shut it off at the three foot mark from center. All timing and judging shall be done from the center of the ball.
Ladies official game shall consist of two heats, two minutes each. A men’s official game shall consist of two heats, three minutes each. After first heat has been played, second heat is delayed until all teams have played the first heat.
The two teams in the final playoffs shall have a ten minute rest period before the game starts with three minutes rest between heats.
PROTECTIVE GEAR:
Men’s team and coach shall wear the following:
1. Standard firefighting helmet or safety helmet of their choice.
2. Your choice of footwear (shoes a must).
3. Standard fire fighting coats or rain gear of their choice.
Women’s team and coaches shall wear the following:
1. Standard firefighting helmet or safety helmet of their choice.
2. Your Choice of footwear (shoes a must)
3. Standard firefighting coat or rain gear of their choice.
METHOD OF TIMING:
There shall be one starter and two timekeepers, all of who are classified as judges with all judges decisions final.
If the contest is stopped because of trouble with equipment or lack of water, the ball shall be started from where it was when the failure took place.
Fifteen seconds will be credited to the team scoring a goal. A goal is scored by driving the ball into the opponent’s territory and against the cable stops 45 feet from the center. The fifteen seconds credit for scoring shall not be counted as playing time. On the completion of a goal, the ball is to be started at the center, using the balance of the three minute heat (men’s game) or two minute heat (ladies game).
There is no scoring time kept while the ball is in the “Dead Time” area.
PENALTIES:
Illegal use of guard hose stream, five seconds for each offense.
The ladies team will be penalized 20 seconds if nozzle coach moves past four feet line.
For intentionally throwing or dropping the nozzle on the playing field, a team will be disqualified.
Intentional directing of hose streams at opponents shall disqualify the entire team.
Interference of coach or friendly spectators shall disqualify the entire team, at the judge’s discretion.
Only the coach or team captain shall contact a judge during any dispute.
Substitution for physical discomfort shall be allowed in the number 3 position (hose person) or in the ladies game, number 4 (hose person).
Persons leaving their positions shall be disqualified from the contest.
No other substitutions will be permitted with exception of an injury to a player.
No entries allowed in contest after deadline time and date posted for said contest. DRAWING AND TEAM CAPTAIN’S MEETING WILL BE DONE AT THE BUSINESS MEETING SITE DIRECTLY AFTER THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THERE IF YOU WANT TO PLAY!
Each participant is required to sign a lease before play is started, releasing any party from liability due to the fact that these contests are conducted for entertainment only.
HOSE LAYOUT :
The field personnel of each team shall have 100 feet of 1 ½ or 13/4 inch hose. Both hoses for field personnel shall be supplied off of the same 2 ½ inch line and be the same diameter .
The guards of each team shall have 100 feet of 1 ½ or 13/4 inch hose, with both guard hoses supplied off of the same 2 ½ inch line and be the same diameter .
Shut-off nozzles shall have ½ tips.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED PER WATER BALL COURT :
1. One engine at site 9:30 a.m.
2. 400 feet of 1 ½ or 13/4 inch hose, all 400’ must be the same diameter .
3. 400 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose.
4. Two gated wyes.
5. Two tie back trucks (with keys) at site by 7:00 a.m. will be parked crossway on road, tandem axle and loaded if possible.
6. Two 20 feet log chains, 3/8 inch in diameter, with four turn buckles.
7. Two 30 feet safety ropes.
8. One pike pole, 8 feet long plus or minuses.
9. One water ball court and cable 3/8 inch (170 feet long) for tie back and water ball.
10. Three whistles.
11. A 4' by 8' erasable marker board.
12. Two cans of yellow spray paint.
13. Hose and water supply for 400 g.p.m.
14. Four 1/2" straight bore nozzles with shut offs.
15. Four stop watches.
16. Team captains or designated representative must attend the drawing directly after the business meeting at business meeting site. They must have a delegate at the business meeting and their conference registration must have been received as specified in the conference registration form.
* Items 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 2. This agreement concerns the C.W.F.A. annual conference, to be held on the _____th and _____th days of June, 20__. The conference is being sponsored by the department and to be held at a location of the host department’s choice.
and 15 are supplied by C.W.F.A.
Special Note : Have someone on the committee the year before your department will host the C.W.F.A. conference. At least one member of the host department will be at the water ball set-up area starting at 7:00 A.M. and stay until completion of the set-up.
There will be 5 men's trophies and 3 ladies trophies given out at the CWFA water ball competition.