Canoe polo, also called kayak polo, is similar to water polo in that the goal is to deliver a ball to the opposing team's net to score points. As the players are in kayaks rather than swimming in water, the play area must be larger to accommodate the equipment. Canoe polo is played in both swimming pools and in larger, open water such as lakes.
Set-up
A canoe polo playing area must be 115 feet long and 75 feet wide. Additional space beyond these boundaries is helpful to allow space for the players to turn their kayaks at the border of the playing area. A 3-foot border is sufficient. The water must also be at least 3 feet deep in all areas of play. The goals are 5 feet wide and 3 feet tall, and hang 7 feet above the water level, either suspended from the ceiling or on a floating mount. Players must wear a lifejacket and helmet for their own safety. Kayaks may be no longer than 10 feet, no wider than 2 feet and no heavier than 15 lbs.
Teams
Canoe polo is a competition between two teams of five players. A typical professional team will also have up to three substitute players. There are no specific positions each player must take, and players may be distributed in any way within the play area either offensively or defensively.
Offensive Play
Play begins with all five players from each team at their own goal line. The referee throws the ball into the center of the pool, and one player from each team paddles to the center in an attempt to obtain the ball. Once a player from either team has possession, other players may then move freely. A player may only have possession of the ball for five seconds. Possession is defined as either holding the ball in your hands or being within arm's reach of the ball. Before the five seconds elapses, a player must either pass the ball to another teammate or "dribble" the ball by tossing it 1 meter or approximately 3 feet away from his boat. Offensive players may not push defending boats out of the way unless they are within 6 meters or approximately 19 feet of the goal. Offensive players may attempt to score a goal by getting the ball into the net in any way, including throwing the ball or hitting the ball into the goal with the paddle.
Defensive Play
Though defenders may never ram an opponent's kayak at a 90-degree angle, lesser angles are permissible if the opponent is currently in possession of the ball, if both players are attempting to gain possession of the ball or if the defender is within 6 meters or approximately 19 feet of his own goal. Defending players may attempt to steal the ball or block a pass or shot with any part of their body or their paddles. Players may also push opponents over, forcing their kayaks to roll. However, players may not block a shot or pass or attempt to steal the ball with their paddles if any opponent is within arm's reach of the paddle. Defending players aim to prevent the offensive team from scoring a goal while simultaneously trying to gain possession of the ball for their own team so that they may go on the offensive and attempt to score a goal of their own.
Winning
Play is divided into two halves, each 10 minutes in length. After the first half, teams change sides. The team with the most points at the end of the second half wins. If there is a tie at the end of the game, players will take tiebreaker shots. Each team must select an order for its five players to attempt their shots. Tiebreaker shots alternate between the two teams. The team not currently taking a tiebreaker shot may place a single player in front of the net to act as a goalkeeper. The goalkeeper may be one of the five players who will attempt a tiebreaker shot, but she does not have to be. After each team attempts five tiebreaker shots, the team with the most points wins. If the score is still tied, players continue making tiebreaker shots until, after an equal number of attempts, one team has more points.
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