Canoe Polo

General Rules

Player Composition

Each team shall consist a maximum of 8 players in the team out of which 5 players are permitted at any time of the play on the field with the left outs that are allowed for substitutions.

Duration Of The Game

The game time consists of two periods of ten minutes each unless overtime is needed to decide the result. The minimum playing time is two periods of seven minutes each. The half time interval shall normally be of three minutes. The teams shall change ends after each period of play.

Commencement Of Play

At the start of each period of play, five players from each team line up and are ready to start the play. If the team intentionally causes an unnecessary delay to start the game then an infringement will be called.

Ball Out Of Play

• Sideline and overhead obstacle: If any part of the ball touches the sideline or the vertical plane of the physical sideline, or touches any overhead barrier, the team that was not the last to touch the ball with their paddle, kayak or person, they are then awarded a sideline-throw.
• Sideline throw: The player receiving the throw must place their kayak at the point of exit of the ball, or the point on the sideline nearest to the point of contact with an above obstacle.
• Goal line or corner throw: It will be given when any part of the ball touches the vertical plane of the front of the goal frame except where a ball bounces off the goal frame (not the goal supports) into the playing area, or where the ball is blocked from completely invading the goal by a defender's paddle and rebounds back into the field of play, or where a goal is obtained.

Fouls

The sport primarily adheres to the safety of the players and to keep the game fast paced along withmaintaining the excitement while playing as well as watching. Infringement of any of the rules of the game amounts to a foul.

The fouls in the play can be of the following types:-

• Illegal substitution and entering into the playing area
• Illegal possession
• Illegal hand tackle
• Illegal kayak tackle
• Illegal use of paddle
• Illegal jostle
• Illegal screen/obstruction
• Illegal holding
• Unsporting Behavior

The severity of the foul may be determined by the following three general principles:-

• Deliberate Foul- Liable to receive a green card. It is considered a foul where no effort has been made to avoid the illegal play.
• Dangerous Foul- A significant contact is made with the opponent’s arm, head or body which may result in personal injury. It is illegal.
• Significant Contact- It is any high impact or continuous contact that might result in personal injury or equipment damage.