Canoe Polo – Shrewsbury 2015 – Mondays 8-9pm
Introduction
Canoe Polo is a cross between water polo & rugby-sevens - hand & kayak tackling is allowed !
This is a brief introduction to the game and its rules.
For more information see SCC’s polo pages:
http://www.shrewsburycanoeclub.org/category/canoe_polo/
Playing the Game
Canoe Polo is a 5-a-side game of two 5-10 minutes halves, played on a rectangular area of still water
25m-35m long, with 1.5m x 1m goals suspended 2m off the water. The goal and side lines may be
the pool side or floating lines. The ball is out of play if it touches the vertical plane of the lines or any
other item of poolside equipment - including the roof,
although in Shrewsbury’s Priory pool we play-on when it touches the ceiling netting.
To keep things interesting, there is a 5 second rule where the ball must passed to a team mate or
thrown at least one metre away to avoid losing possession.
Personal Safety
Most of the rules are related to personal safety. So all players MUST: wear buoyancy aids without
any sharp bits; wear crash hats with face guards; use smooth edged paddles at least 5mm thick; short
boats (3m) padded at both ends; and remove or tape over rings, watches & other jewellery
Players must not endanger others with their paddles, boats, or hand tackling. No chopping, ramming,
pushing players onto boats or the pool side, throwing of paddles, and any touch on the opponent’s
body by your blades or boat. Behaviour thought to be deliberate & dangerous – such as impeding
capsized players - can be punished by a sending-off AND a penalty.
DON’T:
 Tackle players not in possession of the ball – but see the 6m jostle rule
 Put your paddle near peoples’ hands or faces or hit their kit with it
 Endanger yourself or other players – it will get you sent off
 Argue with the referees - it’ll definitely get you sent off
DO:
 Stop playing when the whistle blows
- especially if it goes two/three times, the referees may have changed the decision
 Keep your boat & paddle away from peoples’ faces, bodies & hands
 Take care of your opponents, their kit, the pool, and yourself

Have fun & remember - it is just a game !
Canoe Polo – Playing Rules
The British game is based on the International Canoe Federation rules. These change every other
season, so until May 2015:
http://www.canoepolo.org.uk/files/Rulebook_13_15.pdf
There are rules on illegal tackling, use of paddle, obstruction, and other unwanted behaviour. Arm
signals (see following pages) are used to show what the referee blew for, who gets the ball, & what
they can do with it
- unless ‘play on’ is waved to allow advantage, but players may be called back if none is gained.
Legal hand-tackle?
(Yes - open hand to shoulder of player with the ball with space to capsize – grimace optional :-)
Whistle is used to start & stop the game
- multiple blasts used to get players’ attention for timeouts or change or decision
Signals are listed on the next two pages & indicate:
 Play-On – No whistle, but call ‘play-on’ & indicate direction of advantage
 Direction of play – Direction of attack, similar to football, opposite to rugby
 Offence – Was it ball out of play (indirect) or a foul (direct)
 Severity – Free Throw (indirect), Free Shot (direct), Penalty, Referees Ball, Goal, etc
Sanctions are given for ball out of play or fouls:
 Referees Ball – Deadlocked ball, or referees can’t decide who committed offence
 Free Throw - For any ball out of play: goal-line, side-line, corners, and goal restarts
 Free Shot - May shoot directly at goal & is awarded for ALL fouls
 Penalty - MUST be awarded for any foul on a player shooting at goal within 6m area
Cards may be shown to a player, or the entire team:
 Green – Warning not to do it again, but if second green for same offence, then…
 Yellow - Two minute sending off, unless second yellow for same offence, when …
 Red - Rest of game sending off, with subsequent 1 game ban
Canoe Polo – Signals for Game Control - Indirect
Taking Free Throws – Hold ball above head, while stationary, where offence took place
or where ball landed after whistle blown. Sidelines & corners taken against poolside.
Player can collect ball, paddle, & face the correct way, then has 5 seconds to take throw.
Opponents cannot tackle player taking throw, nor attempt to play the ball within 1m.
FREE THROW
Ball out of play
Cannot score directly
COMPLETION OF HALF
/ FULL TIME
Change ends
or shake hands
TIME OUT
Clock stops while refs
sort out game / penalty /
referee’s ball
SIDELINE / CORNER
THROW
Ball touched vertical
plane of side or goal line
or hit roof
GOAL LINE THROW
Can be taken any where
along goal line
START
INFRINGEMENT
Sprinters started early or
paddled <3m apart
PLAY ON /
ADVANTAGE
Allow advantage for ONE
pass/shot, if none gained,
return to foul & award
cards
DISALLOWED GOAL
Usually because of tackle
on goalie
GOAL
Everyone in own halves.
Take throw from centre
line.
Canoe Polo – Signals for Fouls - Direct
Taking Free Shots – Hold ball above head, while stationary, where offence took place or
where ball landed after whistle blown. Can shoot directly at goal.
Player can collect ball, paddle, & face the correct way, then has 5 seconds to take throw.
Opponents cannot tackle player taking throw, nor attempt to play the ball within 1m.
FREE SHOT
for ANY foul
Can IMMEDIATELY present
& shoot at goal (if stationary).
ILLEGAL TACKLE
Boat ramming
Hand tackle to head, neck,
front, or lower arm/hand
ILLEGAL USE OF PADDLE
Chopping at hands
or paddle contact with
opponents body or kit
OBSTRUCTION /
HOLDING
Getting in the way
(>6m); leaning on
boats, pulling on side
REFEREE'S BALL
(+TIME OUT)
1-on-1 lineout at poolside,
hands on deck, paddles outside,
play ball when it hits water
FIVE SECONDS /
POSSESSION
Needed to pass or
dribble 1m within
5 seconds. Also
paddling with ball on
spraydeck
GOAL PENALTY SHOT
(+TIME OUT)
Penalty from 6m line,
at undefended goal,
play re-starts on whistle
UNSPORTING
BEHAVIOUR
Anything the ref
doesn’t like!
SHOWING CARDS
Green card - warning
Yellow card - 2 min send off
Red card - sent off for rest of
game, plus 1 game ban
.