Northern Canoe Polo

Rules Focus
NZ Rules Download the NZ Version 1999 Rules
ICF Rules Visit Clydes "Rules of the month" page for ICF interpretations... Visit the Canoepolo.com site for ICF Rules
March 2003 - Playing the Ball, Rule 20
The ball may be put, thrown, passed, tapped, pulled, pushed, flicked or blocked in any way that does not ENDANGER or CAUSE ILLEGAL PADDLE USE or CAUSE PERSONAL CONTACT with any player. Illegal Paddle Use personal contact with opponent using paddle contacting ball in opponent's hand with paddle placing paddle within arm's reach in the direction they are trying to play the ball striking throwing paddle hacking at another paddle any use that andangers another player 5 Seconds rule Hold it for longer than 5 seconds, and the ball is turned over.The ball must travel a metre horizontally from arm's reach within 5 seconds. Progressing with ball You can drift with it You can dribble it (but it must follow 1 metre rule) You can paddle with the ball in hand, but not on spray deck, deck or under arm If it lands on your deck, complete your turning stroke and keep the paddle in the water for your power stroke. That is considered one stroke and you may complete the single CURRENT stroke in this situation.
February 2003 - Capsized Player
If your player exits their kayak must NOT interfere with, or take part in, any further part of play. To substitute that player, you must wait until they have exited the playing area with all of their equipment. If they come over the goal-line you may enter another player as soon as they, and ALL of their equipment cross that line. If they exit anywhere else, then you must wait for the next "ball-out-of-play" or "change-in-possession". You will receive a two minute suspension if you illegally substitute a player for someone who has capsized. This will be imposed as soon as the opposition have lost any advantage.
November 2002 - Two Minute Suspension
A player receiving a yellow card is suspended from play and must retire to the substitute zone without delay for a total of two minutes playing time. If the period of play ends, the suspension carries over into the next period of play (of the same game) until it is completed. This suspension coud be warranted for: Repeat of a foul when player has already been warned Deliberate or dangerous foul Repeated or continued disputing of a referee's decision Retaliation Foul or abusive language or gestures Significant unsporting behaviour
October 2002 - Taking Throws, Rule 25
A player taking a restart throw (except for Goal penalty Shot) must be relatively stationary and hold the ball clearly above the head before taking the throw. The ball is not in play until it has travelled at least one metre horizontally beyond arm's reach of the restarting player. (Any intervening fumbling or dropping of the ball is disregarded providing a legal restart is taken within 5 seconds). No opponent may contact the restarting player's body, kayak, or attempt to play the ball until the ball is back in play. The restarting player must be allowed to take up position for the throw. The throw must not be a direct shot at goal unless it is a Goal Penalty Shot or a Free shot. A free throw may be taken from where the ball lands, or where the foul took place, or further back. A free shot must be taken at the position of the ball at the time of the foul, or as a free throw further back.
August/September 2002 - Scoring a Goal
Check out the NZCPA Discussion forum for an interesting debate on whether a ball that rebounds off the frame is considered to have gone OUT because it technically wasn't a goal.... A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes through the plane of the front of the goal frame. If the ball is prevented from entering the goal by a defender's paddle which enters the goal from begind then a goal is awarded. If the goal is not rigidly fixed, and moves, the ball must go through the goal frame, not where the goal frame should be. Any goals scored by a team that is in infringement of the rules will be disallowed. When the ball enters the goal before the infringement occurs, the goal is allowed but a foul may still be sanctioned with a suspension.
July 2002 - Goal Keeper Infringement
If an attacking player moves or unbalances the goal keeper (directly, or through an other player) then a violations is called. Exceptions are: The goal keeper in possession of a ball is no longer considered a "goal keeper" and may be tackled. A defender who pushes an attacker onto the goal keeper will only get the call if the attacker makes no effort to avoid the goal keeper after being pushed. An attacker can not push a defender onto the goal keeper or a violation will be called- as long as the defender made an effort to avoid touching the goal keeper after bieng pushed. It is also an infringement to prevent a player from taking position as a goal keeper by jostling or positioning themselves under the goal.
June 2002 - Jostling
This rule caused some controversy during the National League. Read this excerpt from the rules, and visit the NZPCA Discussion Forum for some interesting theories and opinions "A player may jostle an opponent by using the kayak in an attempt to turn the opponent's kayak when the opponenet is positioned at the attacking end with their body in the playing area between the six metre line and the goal line. Jostling does not include directly pushing an opponenet out of position, pushing or moving to obstruct and opponent who has their body outside the playing area, moving to obstruct an opponent competing for the ball except where the ball is more closely contested or guarded by one of their team mates, or any boat contact outside the six metre area. Infringement is a foul and may incur blocking or charging according to the nature of the contact."
May 2002- Illegal Play 13
Violation A violation is an infraction of the rules, the penalty for which will be the loss of the ball. Foul A violation involving Personal contact, Illegal paddle use or Unsportsmanlike behaviour. Deliberate Foul A foul where the referee believes the violation was made with blatant disregard for the rules. Dangerous Foul Where paddle contact is made with a player's body, or the ball in their hand. Where the impact zone of a kayak contacts a players body.
April 2002- Unsporting Behaviour
When a player behaves in a way that is detrimental to the conduct of the game, or brings the game into disrepute, then the referee may penalise the player for "Unsporting Behaviour". The sort of behaviour liable to be sanctioned may include: Foul play occuring during a break in play (eg: Time out or during ball retrieval). Hindering or preventing another player from rolling their kayak when they don't have the ball in hand, or tackling them before their head and shoulders are above the water when they do have the ball. Interfering with another player's equipment, for instance holding or moving their paddle out of their reach, or stopping them from reaching the paddle. Using deliberate delaying tactics. For instance, throwing the ball away, deliberately obstructing the opposition to delay a restart, setting your boat on fire to get attention (I made that one up, it's not in the rules- yet - Webmaster) Showing dissent to an official, or addressing them in a disrespectful way. Baiting opponents, obscuring their vision with your hand or paddle Foul or abusive language or gestures Deliberately throwing the ball at an opponent (not to be confused with a really bad pass or stupid shot). Basic rule of thumb- Be Nice! If you can't be nice, be an official....
March 2002 -Scoring a goal
A goal is scored: If the whole of the ball passes through the plane of the front of the goal frame. If the ball is prevented from entering the goal by some cheating defender's paddle which entered from behind the goal and blocked it. If the goal isn't rigidly fixed, the ball still has to pass through the real goal fram, not the imaginary one that represents where the goal "should be". If you shoot and score from your team's foul, it's disallowed. If you shoot and score before the foul, it's allowed.
Feb 2002 - Commencement of Play
The game is commenced if: All players are lined up, at least 10 seconds before start time, with the backs of their kayaks behind the goal line. The referee blows their whistle and throws the ball in to the centre of the playing area. Only one player from each team attempts to get the ball.