This article proposes a water inrush mechanism of progressive intrusion of pressure water up into the coal floor aquiclude according to injection tests and observations. A numerical model and a criterion of water inrush are established based on the mechanism. The theory is succesSfully used in predictions of water inrush. This article proposes a water inrush mechanism of progressive intrusion of pressure water up into the coal floor aquiclude according to injection tests and observations. A numerical model and a criterion of water inrush are established based on the mechanism. The theory is succesSfully used in predictions of water inrush.