Polo
is played every week on Thursday at Splott pool. Cardiff Uni is one
of the best teams in the UK coming second in BUSA 2004. We are also
active in the Welsh Polo league entering 3 teams including a ladies.
Teams have also competed internationally in countries including Ireland,
Belgium and France.
We host the Cardiff University
Canoe Polo Competition every year, more information will be available
soon! Canoe Polo Rules
The Pitch
• 3:2 ratio of pitch size should be maintained on smaller playing areas.
• The water must be still and at least 90cm deep.
• The minimum ceiling height should be 5m above the playing area with 3m without obstacles.
• The walkway on each side of the playing area must kept clear for the referees.
• The sidelines and goal lines should be indicated by floating lane rope with markers indicating goal line, half way line and 6m and 4.5m lines .
Goals
• Goals are located over the centre of each goal line with their lower inside edge 2m above the surface of the water.
• The goals must not swing. The goals are open frames 1m high 1.5m wide (measured internally) hung vertically. The maximum width of the goal frame is 5cm.
• The goals have nets. The frame must be red and white striped each stripe being of 20 centimetres length. Balls
• Mens size 5
• Womens/Junior size 4 Officials
• Referees x2 Control game & safety
• Timekeeper Keep time, control send off times. • Scorekeeper Keeps score and tally of cards.
• Goal Line Judges x2 Check starts, ball out and subbing
• Scrutineer - responsible for checking the equipment of all players. Equipment
• All players need a suitable kayak with padded ends (& spraydeck), shirt that covers the shoulder, buoyancy aid (for body protection), paddles and helmet with facemask.
  
Teams
• 8 players on the water
• Only 5 on the pitch at any one time.
• Subs must stay off the pitch behind their goal line. Time
• Games are 7-10 minutes each way with 1-3 minutes for half time
Aim of the game
• TO WIN.
• The team that scores the most goals wins!
How do you score a goal?
• A goal is when the whole ball passes completely through into the goal.
Who Defends the goal? • Anyone can guard their goal.
• The goalkeeper is the defending player most directly under the goal with their paddle up.
• Anyone may put their paddle up (to block) at any time.
Possession
• A player is in possession' if they have the ball in there hand or are in a position to reach the ball with their hand (ball in water NOT air).
• Balancing ball on paddle = possession.
• The player may only have the ball for 5 seconds before moving the ball 1m horizontal from the point of release. (Not just 1m away.)
Free Throw
• Free Throw = Indirect (Hand) Restarts from goal, start infringement, sideline or corner and Failure to present (Illegal possession)
Free Shot
• Free Shot =Direct (Point) 
THE REST
{Paddle Foul, Illegal Possession (except failing to present), Kayak tackle, Jostle, Holding, Screen}
Starting Play
• At the beginning of each half both teams must line up facing each other with the backs of their boats on the goal line.
• The ref blows their whistle and throws the ball into the centre of the pitch to start the game. This is the signal for one player from each team to sprint for the ball and try to get possession of it.
• All other players must be 3m from player attempting for ball. If anyone makes a false start or more than one player goes for the ball then that is a start infringement. 
Capsized Player
• Must leave playing area ASAP.
• Time out if dangerous.
• No subs until behind goal line with all kit.
• NO OUTSIDE HELP (in competition).
Substitution
• Must completely leave area before sub comes on (all boat over line)
• An infringement is signaled by giving a timeout then awarding a free throw
 
Play On
• The referees can allow play to continue when the team in possession is benefited by play continuing as a result of an infringement by an opponent, if neither referee has blown the whistle.
• The referee can penalize any player who causes an infringement for which advantage is played at the next break in play with a yellow or red card.
Reasons To Stop Play
The ball is considered out of play if it touches a pitch boundary or its vertical plane (1-5).
• A goal has been scored
• The ball leaves at the sideline
• The ball leaves at the goal line off an attacker
• The ball leaves at the goal line off a defender
• No goal
• Time out1.
A goal has been scored
• A goal is scored when the ball passes completely through the face of the goal.
• A goal is also awarded if the ball is stopped by a defender's paddle entering from behind the goal.
• Play then restarts from the centre of the pitch
 
2.The ball leaves at the sideline
• If the ball goes out of play at the sideline then a sideline throw is awarded against the team who last touched it with body or equipment.
3. The ball leaves at the goal line off an attacker
• If the ball leaves via the goal line off an attacking player, then the defending team is awarded a goal line throw which may be taken from anywhere along the line. 
4. The ball leaves at the goal line off a defender
• When the ball leaves at the goal line off a defender the attacking team is awarded a corner throw which may be taken from either corner.
5.No goal
• Very occasionally you will manage to get the ball into the opposition's net but haven't really scored a goal, (E.g if you fouled the goalkeeper just before shooting or the final whistle has gone). • The referee will then signal a no goal' before showing the offence.
6. Time out
• If play is stopped for any other reason such as injury, a card, dangerous equipment or a swimmer impeding play, then the referee will signal a time out and the clock will be stopped while the problem is sorted out.
Illegal Use Of The Paddle
• Playing ball with paddle when ball is within arms reach of player.
• Playing ball with paddle when a player is attempting to play ball with hand.
• Playing ball with paddle across an opponents boat when the ball is within arms reach of player.
• Putting paddle within arms reach of player with ball in hand (except the goalie, if not being dangerous)
• Restricting another players movement with your paddle.
• Playing opponents paddle.
• Throwing paddle.
• Being dangerous.
Illegal Possession
• If a player retains possession of the ball for more than 5 secs and it does not travel at least one meter horizontally from the point of release in this time, then that is illegal possession.
• It is also illegal to paddle with the ball resting on the boat or spray deck.
- Illegal possession gives away a FREE SHOT
 
Failure to present (Illegal Possession)
• Before taking a sideline ball, free throw, starting (basically eveytime play starts after the whistle is blown) PRESENT THE BALL!
• Failure to Present gives away a FREE THROW
 
Illegal Hand Tackle
• Two handed tackle.
• Player not in possession of the ball.
• Anywhere other than back, upper arm or side.
• Any dangerous tackle (pushing into side).
• You MAY NOT fend off tackles with the arm.
Illegal Kayak Tackle
• Any tackle where your kayak hits an opponents body.
• Any tackle where your kayak hits an opponents spray deck and you continue tackling (paddling) . (A Controlled push to remove a kayak you are on or that is sat on your deck is only allowed when neither player has possession of the ball)
• Any failure to control bow and failing to avoid body (lack of control not an excuse).
• Any tackle Between 80-100' (T-boning).
- Any tackle on an opponent not within 3m of ball or not competing for it.
Illegal Kayak tackle: The goal keeper and defence of goal
• It is a foul to 'move or unbalance' the oppositions goalkeeper when they are not in possession of the ball (pushing a defender onto them is also a foul).
- If the goalie is attempting possession they can be treated like any other player. If they do not win possession they do not regain goalie status until the other player shoots or passes, then the attacker must not impede them.
Illegal Jostle
• Only applies between 6m line and goal.
• You may only move an opposing player 0.5m at a time by sustained contact (no bumping)
- You cannot jostle player moving behind goal line.
Illegal Screen
• Is impeding the progress of opposing player by moving in their way.
• A player is considered to be actively impeding the progress of an opponent when their kayak is moving and/or they are attempting active paddle strokes.
• NOT if you are competing for ball, they have possession, are within 3m or in a jostle which are ok.
Illegal Holding
• Holding or leaning on for support or propulsion opponents boat, body or kit or playing area kit (e.g. wall)
Referees Ball
• Given when two or more players of opposing teams have one or more hands firmly on the ball, so that the players share possession of the ball for five (5) seconds.
• Also given if the referee needs to stop the game, not during a break in play and where neither team is at fault (e.g. referee error, faulty goals, injury) and the referee cannot determine who had possession at the time of the whistle, the referee will restart the game with a referee' s ball.
• Taken at the nearest point on the sideline to the incident.
• Two opposing players will line up at right angles to the sideline, on the side nearest their own goal line paddles on the water, but not between their kayaks and their hands on the deck of the kayak or on their paddle.
• All other players must be at least three (3) metres away from the point between the two players participating in the Referees ball.
• The referee will throw the ball on the water between the players and blow the whistle to restart play.
• Both players must make an attempt for the ball with their hands as soon as it touches the water. The players must not play the ball before it hits the water.
Goal Penalty Shot
• Any deliberate and/or dangerous offence in the 6m area where a player is fouled in the act of shooting, or passing or positioning for a near certain goal. (The act of shooting begins when a player has contact with the ball, with their hand or paddle, and is clearly attempting or preparing for a shot.)
• A goal-penalty-shot can be awarded for an offence where a player, outside the six (6) metre area, is fouled in the act of shooting or passing or positioning for a near certain goal, whilst the goal is not otherwise defended if no attempt is made to avoid illegal play (deliberate) and/or an offence where paddle contact with the ball in the opponents hand or any illegal play that endangers the opposition occurs (dangerous).
• A Goal Penalty Shot will be awarded for a deliberate and/or dangerous infringement on a player within the six (6) metre area who is attempting to take a free-shot.
When awarded all players except the one taking the GPS must be on the halfway line. The Ref blows the whistle, all other players can charge. The player has 5secs to shoot.
Cards
Green Card : Warning
(Unsporting behaviour e.g. Hindering righting, dissent, abuse, retaliation) Yellow Card (=3 rd Green) : 2 minutes send off, team is minus one player in this time. (Continued abuse, continuous disputing, dangerous or deliberate foul to prevent goal)
Red Card (=2 nd Yellow) : Send off for remainder of the game, team is minus 1 player. (Personal attack, continued abuse, yellow card doesn't have desired effect)
CUCC RULES: Playing in Splott Pool
Getting In
All kayaks should be entered in the water.
NO ONE may seal launch from the side, this damages our boats and the pool. Equipment
All equipment is provided by the club, please treat it with respect.
All players are to wear a helmet, BA & spraydeck.
Only personal equipment sanctioned by the Polo secretary/Equipment Officer can be used.
All players must wear a shirt with sleeves that cover the shoulders. Use Of the Kayak
As per BCU/ICF rules.
Kayaks are dangerous. Be careful.
DO NOT T-bone or deliberately ram! This can break bones.
You will be asked to get out of the pool if you are being dangerous. Pushing
Only push in games where pushing is allowed.
Please DO NOT push people who can't role. A friendly pat on the shoulder will suffice. Capsizing
Capsizes happen. In beginners games people who know how to right an upturned player should spread around the pool help them.
If you capsize wait in the hands up' position for a swimmer-kayak or T-rescue. Foul language, Unsporting or unacceptable behaviour
Canoe-Polo is an aggressive and fast game but IT IS JUST A GAME.
The Refs word is final, even if you disagree. It is OK to question a decision but only AFTER the game.
Repeated swearing or over-the top aggression is unacceptable and you will be asked to get out.
If you break the rules, accept the sanctions given out. Learn from your mistakes and by asking questions. Changeovers
Players will not be permitted to have an unfair number of games.
Please change over quickly.
Give the entering player your BA, Deck and Paddles.
Offer to empty the boat for the person you change with you filled it up! © Matt Creed 2005
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