About the game…

Canoe (or Kayak) Polo is a team game played in kayaks with a water polo ball in a rectangular area approximately 33 m (100 ft) by 22 m (66 ft) – on, for example, a swimming pool or lake.

A Canoe Polo team consists of five to eight players. However, only five players from each team can be on the court at any given time, with substitutions allowed at any moment during the match.

As in Basketball or Soccer, the idea of the game is to outscore your opponent. Tactics and teamwork are essential parts of the game. Canoe Polo games consist of two, ten-minute halves. Like Basketball, games tend to be fast paced and exciting as players race from one end of the court to the other in frequent changes of possession. Strategies such as zone defense, full court press, fast break and half court offense are typical in Canoe Polo.

Goals measuring 1 m (3.3 ft) by 1.5 m (4.9 ft) are suspended 2 m (6.5 ft) above each goal line. Paddlers move the ball by throwing (with their hands or paddles) and chasing after it (called dribbling), passing it to a team member, or shooting it at the opposing team’s goal. A goalkeeper is usually in place underneath the net to try and block opponent’s shots on goal (by extending their paddle up in front of the goal frame).

A player may have possession of the ball for only five seconds before they must dribble, pass, or shoot. Canoe Polo is a contact sport. When a player is in possession, an opposing player may hand tackle them with an open handed push on the upper body, or kayak tackle their boat to upset their balance (no kayak contact in allowed with the body). The object - to force the player in possession to lose control of the ball. The opposing player can also choose to block passes and shot with their paddle, as long as the ball is allowed to travel out of arms reach first. A foul will be called on any player who strikes (with their boat or paddle) an opposing player.

Some rules and referees signals…

Defining the Game

	Goal scored – Ball enters the goal. The team scored against restarts play from the center of the court with both teams in their own halves.
	Goal line throw – When the ball goes out of play at the end of the court and the attacking team or their equipment was the last to touch the ball. The defending teams gets the ball.
	Corner throw – When the ball goes out of play at the end of the court and the defending team or their equipment was the last to touch the ball. The attacking team gets the ball.
	Side-line throw – When the ball goes out of play at the sides of the court. The team that touched the ball last with their body or equipment loses possession. The attacking team gets the ball.

Illegal Stuff

	Illegal possession – A player must pass or dribble the ball once every 5 seconds. They cannot place the ball on their boat and paddle.
	Illegal use of the paddle – A player is not allowed to use their paddle within arms reach of the opposition or strike the ball.
	Illegal hold or obstruction – A player cannot inhibit the movement of the opposition with their hands or paddle, or otherwise hold onto their equipment to gain advantage. A player cannot paddle to block another player’s movement outside of the six meter areas, unless they are going for the ball.
	Illegal kayak or hand tackle – When a player tackles with their boat they must maintain contact, and when they tackle with the hands they must use one open hand to the side of the upper body. A player must have the ball or be able to reach it on the water to be tackled (be in possession).

Penalties

	Penalty shot – For a dangerous or professional foul during a shot or any foul that stops a near certain goal. The penalty shot is taken 6m from the goal with no defense (all other players must be in the other half of the court).
	Free shot – For anything foul on a player who has possession of the ball that is not a penalty shot. The free shot is taken from the point of the foul, or where the ball was when the foul occurred, or where the ball lands if it was in the air at the time of the foul. The shot can be taken directly at goal.
	Green (warning), yellow (2 minute sendoff) or red (rest of game sendoff) cards – Cards can be given for any foul in conjunction with any of the above penalties. Generally a yellow card is given for any professional foul.