Rules & Game Play

Listed below are simplified versions of some of the more prominent and safety-oriented rules. Refs will focus mainly on keeping play safe. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with them prior to the tournament.

STARTS

• Game & Half-time Starts: Teams line up such that players’ boats touch goal lines. The ref throws the ball to the center of the pitch and, on the whistle, 1 player from each team sprints for the ball.

• Goal Restarts: After a goal is scored, the team that conceded the goal brings the ball to the centerline. Play begins on the ref’s whistle.

• Free Throw/Shots: Generally after a foul, the opposing team gets the ball where the foul occurred. The ball can be put into play with a pass, dribble or shot. Serious fouls (e.g., when a player is fouled while taking a shot on an open net) result in a goal penalty shot.

• Out of Bounds: Possession is granted to the team that was not the last team to touch (with their body, paddle or boat) the ball before the ball went out of bounds. If the ball goes out over the sidelines, play restarts from where the ball exited the pitch. If the ball goes out over a goal line, play restarts from either the goal line or the corner depending on possession. Players must present the ball (see ‘Presenting the Ball’). The ball can be put in play with a pass or a dribble.

• Presenting the Ball: When restarting the ball after a foul, out of bounds or other break in play, you must signal the restart of play by holding the ball at arm’s length above your head. Once you present the ball, you have 5 seconds of possession (see POSSESSION).

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Only 5 players from each team are allowed on the pitch at a time. Subs wait behind the goal line that their team is defending, but they cannot wait directly behind or next to the goal frame.

• Substitutions may happen at any time, including the middle of play. When subbing, you must wait until the entire boat of the player coming off the pitch passes over the goal line before any part of your boat enters the pitch.

• Tip: Try to sub at times (like transitioning to offense) that will not create holes in your defense. Sub often. Try to keep subs rotating every minute.

POSSESSION

• You have possession if you are holding the ball or it is on the water within your arm’s reach. You can only keep possession of the ball for 5 seconds. Within 5 seconds, you must either pass, shoot or throw the ball at least a meter beyond arms reach (a bit farther than the bow of a whitewater boat or at the bow of a polo boat).

• Illegal: Paddling with the ball resting on your spray skirt

PADDLE USE

• You may use your paddle to block a pass/shot or to retrieve a ball floating on water

•   Illegal: Striking any part of an opponent’s body with your paddle

•   Illegal: Throwing a paddle for any reason

•   Illegal: Winding-up and swinging at the ball with the paddle when other players are near

•   Illegal: Retrieving a floating ball with your paddle if someone is also reaching for the ball with their hands

•   Illegal: Attempting to play the ball with a paddle across the bow of an opponent’s kayak such that you are within arm’s reach of the opponent

•   Illegal: Using your paddle to block within arm’s reach of a player who has the ball (such that his/her hand could strike your paddle when throwing) In general, any use of the paddle in such a way that you might hit or endanger someone is illegal.

• Tip: When in doubt, play or block the ball with your hands 

HAND TACKLE

• Pushing an opponent, who is in possession of the ball, with an open hand on the opponent’s side, back or upper arm

•   Illegal: Pushing someone who is not in possession of the ball

•   Illegal: Pushing an opponent onto another boat or other obstruction

•   Illegal: Pulling an opponent

•   Illegal: Fending-off (i.e., pushing back with your hand arm or elbow) an opponent who is trying to hand-tackle you

• HOLDING

•   Illegal: Using your body or paddle to gain support, hold, or push-off an opponent’s kayak or paddle

•   Illegal: Grabbing an opponent’s body, gear or boat to stop them from moving

KAYAK TACKLE

• Ramming or pushing your boat with an opponent’s boat

•   Legal: Kayak tackling any opposing player who has the ball

•   Legal: Jostling (moving your kayak against an opponent’s kayak) only within 6 m of the goals

•   Illegal: Hitting another player’s body or cockpit with your boat

•   Illegal: Hitting another player’s boat at 90° angle

•   Illegal: Actively impeding (unless jostling within 6 m of the goal) the progress of an opponent who is not competing for the ball

GOALIES & GOALIE FOULS

• Goalie: On defense, the goalie sits in the front of the goal (facing the pitch) and blocks shots with his/her paddle.

•   Illegal: Pushing or touching (with your body or boat) the opposing goalie

•   Illegal: Pushing another player (of either team) into the opposing goalie

•   Illegal: Prohibiting an opposing player from becoming goalie

• Tip: Try to avoid touching your own goalie to prevent knocking them out of position.

UNSPORTING BEHAVIOR

•   Illegal: Preventing someone from rolling or otherwise righting themselves

• Tip: Swimming sucks. If you flip, bang your boat and wait for a t-rescue if possible.