Rules

RULES

For more information, please visit: www.canoeicf.com

Basic Canoe Polo / Kayak Polo Information:

The aim of Canoe Polo is a competitive ball game between 2 teams, each of five players. Players paddle polo kayaks, on a well-defined area of water, attempting to score goals against the opposition. The winning team in a game is the team that scores the most goals.
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes through the goal frame.
The one defending player most directly under the goal is considered to be the goalkeeper at that time.
A game consists of two 10 minute halves with players switching sides at halftime..
The game begins with all players lining up under their goal line. When the referee whistles and throws the ball in at the center of the court, a designated person from each team will paddle towards the ball and attempt to win the ball. This is repeated at the start of the second half.
When a goal is scored, each team retreats to their half of the court. The non-scoring team brings the ball forward into the opposing teams court when the referee blows the whistle.
Taking throws: The player taking any goal line-throw, corner-throw, sideline-throw, free-throw or free-shot must hold the ball above their head, at arms length with their kayak stationary, before taking the throw.

Canoe Polo Facts:

The playing area shall be rectangular and have a length of 23 meters by 35 meters.
Goals are located over the center of each goal-line with their lower inside edge 2 meters (6.5 ft.) above the surface of the water. The goals are 1 meter (3 ft.) high by 1.5 meters (5 ft.) wide hung vertically.
Equipment: The ball should be an official water polo ball. Kayaks shall be no longer than 3 meters (10 ft.) and no shorter than 2 meters (6.5 ft.). Padding must be firmly fixed to the bow and stern of all kayaks. All players must wear suitable helmets and face masks and a PFD.

Fouls:

Illegal Possession: A player must dispose of the ball within 5 seconds of being in possession of it (i.e. with the ball within arm’s reach) either by passing, shooting or throwing it one meter horizontally from him.
A player may not paddle with the ball resting on the deck or spray deck of the boat.

Illegal Kayak Tackle:

If the goalkeeper is not in possession of the ball and is moved or unbalanced by contact from an opposing player.
Any kayak-tackle that results in significant contact with the opponent's spray deck or the body and/or endangering a player.
Any hard tackle to the side of the kayak if it is at angles between 80 and 100 degrees.
When outside the 6 meter area in front of the attacking players goal line, 1) tackling an opponent who is not within three (3) meters of the ball. or 2) impeding the progress of an opponent who is competing for the ball on the water and you are not competing for the ball.

Illegal Use of the Paddle:

Placing a paddle within arms reach of an opponent who has the ball in their hand. A goal keeper is excluded from this rule as long as the paddle is not moved towards the opponent at the time of the shot.
Playing or attempting to play the ball with a paddle across the bow of an opponent’s kayak, within arms reach of the opponent in a normal paddling position.
Throwing a paddle.

Illegal Jostling: between the six (6) meter line and the goal line

When a player is stationary or attempting to maintain a position and their body is moved by more than half a meter by sustained contact from an opponent’s kayak.
Illegal Obstruction: A player actively or deliberately impeding the progress of an opponent when neither player is within three (3) meters of the ball and outside the 6 meter area in front of the goal line.

Illegal Holding:

A player restricting the movement of an opposing player or gaining support or propulsion by playing their hand, arm, body or paddle on the kayak, or holding the opposing player or equipment.