1. Bath University Canoe Club (with a significant portion of stuff nicked from Warwick Uni and Manchester wild catz websites)

2. What is Canoe Polo? Basketball in kayaks Team Sport Great way to develop boat control Social Fun!

3. Teams Up to 10 players per team 5 on the pitch 3 subs 2 hungover

4. Kit Kayak Helmet BA Paddle Spraydeck Ball Tshirt

5. Pitch

6. Half/Full TimeGoalSideline/Corner Throw Ref’s BallObstruction/HoldingIllegal Tackle Five SecondsPaddle FoulPenalty Rules

7. Starting game -Boats on line -Stay 3 m apart

8. Purposeful “bounce” not allowed Ceilings/walls and water slides Ball out of play Goal Line ThrowCorner Throw Side line Throw

9. Illegal Use of Paddle If DANGEROUS or UNFAIR then it is ILLEGAL FREE SHOT is given to other team Fouls: Touching an opponent's body with your paddle. Putting your paddle within arms reach of an opponent when they have the ball in their hands Pushing off another players boat with your paddle or restricting another players movement with your paddle - technically this comes under illegal holding (see later). Throwing your paddle.

10. Illegal Possession A player is in possession when: They have the ball in their hands (even if they are capsized). They can reach a ball lying on the water with their hands (unless they are capsized). They are balancing the ball on their paddle. A player loses possession when the ball travels one metre horizontally from their hand, or they pass it to another player. Illegal possession is penalised by a free shot (except when someone forgets to present the ball - this is a free throw). Illegal possession is when: - A player is in sole possession for longer than five seconds. A player moves their kayak with paddles or their hands when the ball is resting on their spraydeck. A player fails to present the ball above their head when taking a free throw or free shot.

11. Illegal Hand Tackle You can hand tackle a player in possession of the ball by pushing them with one hand on their back, upper arm or side. This is illegal when the tackle doesn't make contact with the back, upper arm or side, or when the tackle endangers the player. (Pushing a player against a boat or poolside is dangerous; pushing a player against a floating side/goal line is not.)

12. Illegal Kayak Tackle/Jostle A kayak tackle is moving your kayak against an opponents kayak to win possession of the ball. A jostle is moving your kayak within the 6 metre area to gain position (when not trying to get the ball). Free shot. Kayak tackles are illegal when: - Contacting the body of the opposing player (not including their arms) Continuing paddling into an opponents spray deck after a legal tackle. Any tackle which is by momentary contact and between 80 and 100 degrees to the opponents kayak - i.e. hitting the opponent's kayak hard in the side. Tackling a player who is not within 3 metres of the ball. Tackling a player who is not competing for the ball Moving or unbalancing a goalkeeper (see later) Jostles are illegal when: - Moving a player by more than ½ a metre (in one movement) whilst jostling Jostling a player behind the goal line (not counted as 6 metre area) The jostle is hard like a kayak tackle.

13. Obstruction Free shot Actively impedes the movement of another player. Actively means that the player committing the foul is making paddle strokes or that their kayak is moving. Obstruction does not apply when both players are competing for the ball, they are jostling within the 6 metre area or one player is in possession of the ball. Screening If you purposely get in a players way when they are moving (esp towards the ball).

14. Foul on the Goalie A goalkeeper is the defender most directly under the goal in a position to defend it with their paddle. The goalkeeper must be facing onto the pitch. Note that a player cannot be defined as the goalkeeper if their own team is in possession on the ball - if their own team has the ball they are treated like any other player on the pitch. A 'foul on the keeper' occurs when: - An attacker moves or unbalances a goalkeeper with their kayak or body. An attacker pushes a defender onto the goalkeeper, thereby moving the goalkeeper. This is not illegal if the defender has reasonable time to prevent this contact. An attacker impedes a defender from taking up a position as a goalkeeper. Note that if attackers are pushed on to the goalkeeper by defenders, and they do not have a chance to prevent the contact, there is no foul. If any of these offences are committed, the goalkeeper receives a free shot.

15. Illegal Holding/Leaning Free Shot You are not allowed to impede/hold on to a player with your body or kit. You are not allowed to propel yourself using another player, their kit or the playing area equipment (including the pool sides or floating ropes, usually referred to as 'pushing off the side/boat'). You are not allowed to use another player, their kit or the playing area equipment for support (generally known as 'leaning').

16. Unsporting Behaviour Green Card Referee’s opinion if player deemed to be unsporting.(or worse if sufficiently unsporting or dangerous), e.g.:- Committing an infringement during a break in play. Stopping a capsized player from righting themselves (they must get their head and both shoulders above water before they can be tackled again). Interfering with another player's equipment including moving it away from them. Deliberately delaying play (e.g. throwing the ball away). Dissent, retaliation or foul language.

17. Advantage A referee may decide to play advantage if a team would directly benefit from play continuing after a foul. This can only occur if neither referee has blown his whistle. The referee can still take action against an infringing player at the next break of play. Referees should also signal play on if players mistakenly believe there has been an offence.

18. Referee’s Ball A referee's ball is given if two players are in joint possession for more than five seconds, or if play is stopped through no fault of either team when neither team is in possession. One player from each team faces the side of the pool, one metre apart, with their paddles in the water not between the kayaks and their hands on their decks. No other player is permitted within three metres of the place where the ball will enter the water. The referee throws the ball between the players whilst blowing the whistle. Players cannot touch the ball until it hits the water. The referee's ball can be retaken if the ball is thrown unfairly.

19. Substitution Only 5 players on the pitch at one time Player coming off must be fully off the pitch before the next player can come on If there is a swimmer they must get all of their kit out of the water and behind the sub line before another player can come on to replace them.

22. General key points Concentrate equally on the player and the ball. Anticipate passes Players must know where the ball is so that a quick change of possession leads to a fast break. Be aware of other players around you in case they need help or vice versa. Don’t obstruct. Maintaining boat position is most important Channel your opponent to the side line or goal line to reduce their options

23. Boat Positioning Stay on the defensive goal side of an opponent Stay close enough to your opponent to copy every move they make, but not so that you screen them! Stay close enough to be able to kayak tackle the player before they can get a pass away, but not too close that they will paddle away from you.

24. Zonal Defence Zone defence refers to the positioning of players to protect an area, or zone, around the goal. Each player takes up, and maintains a position within the zone. There are many different zone formations but the objective of each is the same: Reduce the number of successful shots by keeping the attackers out of the zone and away from the goal. Zone defence formations 1-3-1 2-2-1

25. Zonal Defence Meet the attacker with paddle in the water – using power sweep and brace for momentum and control. Do not paddle out to attacker at speed – it makes it easier for them to pass you. Tackle opponents at the footrest and turn them to the sideline. Always try to ‘push out’ in defence as high as you can from the goal to force the attacking team further away from goal. More space for defence and pressure on the ball Always know where the ball is, where team mates are, and where opponents are.

26. Defence – Defensive 2 and 2 (Not often used at Bath!) Front defenders deflect initial attack Rear defenders turn attackers away from the goal The aim is to force long-shots and errors from the attackers to win the ball back, while protecting the goal. Defenders shouldn't chase the ball, unless they are confident of winning it. Though a defender can start off positioned outside the 6m line, if they actively impede a player outside of the 6m line they will have committed an illegal jostle, ie given away a foul. The defenders must only jostle for position inside the 6m line as usual.

27. Defence – Chasing 2 and 2 (Main game play at Bath!) Two players in the zone (in the “V”) keep the attackers facing away from goal and under pressure, so shots are at difficult angles and passes are difficult to receive. The zone holds the opposition away from the goal in this way, while the two players chasing the ball attempt to win possession. Judgement is required by the two chasers on whether to chase a ball and risk leaving a space behind, or keep the attackers occupied until the ball goes loose and possession can be won. The chasers should prevent the attacking players getting straight, unmarked runs on goal.

28. Defence – 5 out Five out is where all five players each mark a player from the opposition. The aim of playing 'five out' is to put the opposition under pressure and get the ball back. You have to work hard to stay next to your opponent at all times, without obstructing them (ie, pushing them around when they are not in possession and they are not inside the 6m line (see rules)). If a player is left free, it is likely that your goal is very vulnerable. Position your boat so it is facing the same way as the player you are marking Especially if the player is in range to shoot, keep them facing away from goal (again being careful to avoid obstruction) and keep on the goal-side of them, ie in between them and the goal (see diagrams below). If tackling the player, go under their boat since you run less risk of fouling, have more control and can get close for a push.

29. Defence – 3-1 1 – the goal keeper. 3- three players set out across the front of goal. The centre player is the key defender and controls either side and the point. 1 – a chaser that either sits on the point and covers the passing lanes to players inside the zone; or attempts to put pressure on the ball carrier to force a poor pass.

31. Key principles every player must always threaten the goal – if they don’t, defence will not need to mark them. create a high percentage shot – preferably 1-on-1 with the goal keeper attacking moves are most successful if done at speed don’t drive at the centre of the goal — it just compacts the middle of the zone — use the angles. when attacking a zone, move the defender across the centre line of the field or towards the base line to open up the high percentage – shooting corridor.

32. Keep Possession!! An unsuccessful shot, effectively hands the opposition the ball Avoid shooting through more than one paddle (i.e. get one-on- one with the keeper or even better in front of an open goal) If you can't make a straight-forward, powerful, well placed shot passing the ball to someone else! Avoid taking long-shots if the keeper is in position - the time it takes the ball to get there will give the keeper time to work out where it's going and block it. Get as close as possible. It is the job of the whole team to make sure the person with the ball has an easy pass available.

33. Circulation The attacking team should not leave themselves vulnerable to a counter attack. If someone goes into the zone to attack, another player must come out to support the back. Aim for 3 in 2 out at all times. Communicate and be aware!

34. Create openings Create an opening in the defence so that an attacker has a one on one shot with the goalie Try to drive the players defending goal across to open a gap (no more than 0.5m! - illegal 'jostle'.) Let the rest of the team know so that a player can run into the gap, receive a pass and shoot. Try to draw players out of defence by feigning attacks and passing the ball around outside of the opposition zone to get the opposition to chase the ball.

35. Warwick Uni (Rules: http://www.warwickcanoe.co.uk/site/polorules/ Tactics: http://www.warwickcanoe.co.uk/site/polotraining/tactics/)http://www.warwickcanoe.co.uk/site/polorules/http://www.warwickcanoe.co.uk/site/polotraining/tactics/ Manchester Wild Catz (tactics: http://manchesterwildcatz.co.uk/about-canoe-polo/tactics-skills- fitness/) http://manchesterwildcatz.co.uk/about-canoe-polo/tactics-skills- fitness/