Canoe polo
Encyclopedia
Canoe Polo is a competitive ball sport
played on water, in a defined "field", between two teams of 5 players, each in a kayak
. The object of the game is to get the ball into the opponent's goal, the team scoring the most goals in a set time being the winner.
, as one of the disciplines of the sport of canoeing. In 2005 Canoe Polo was contested at the World Games
in Duisburg Germany under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee
.
The game is often described as a combination of water polo
, basketball
and kayaking
. The tactics and playing of the game are not unlike basketball or water polo but with the added complexity of the boats, which can be used to tackle an opposition player in position with the ball, or jostle for position within 6m of the goal.
For a clip of canoe polo, see the International Canoe Federation clip:
Most of the rules concern the safety of the players involved. For example illegal substitution and entry into the playing area (see below), illegal use of the paddle, illegal action against a capsized player, illegal jostle and illegal screening. Penalties
include goal- and sideline throws, free shots, goal penalty shots, and penalty card
s.
Substitutions can be made at any time during the game without notifying the referee, the player and all their equipment must be behind the goal line before another player can come on. Illegal substitution results in the oncoming player being yellow carded or if it is unclear the captain will nominate a player(2 minute send off, team plays with one less player).
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
played on water, in a defined "field", between two teams of 5 players, each in a kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
. The object of the game is to get the ball into the opponent's goal, the team scoring the most goals in a set time being the winner.
Game
The game is played in many countries on all continents, for recreation and serious sport. The sport has World Championships every 2 years. Internationally the sport is organized by the Canoe Polo committee of the International Canoe FederationInternational Canoe Federation
The International Canoe Federation is the umbrella organization of all national canoe organizations worldwide. It is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and administers all aspects of canoe sport worldwide...
, as one of the disciplines of the sport of canoeing. In 2005 Canoe Polo was contested at the World Games
World Games
The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports, or disciplines or events within a sport, that are not contested in the Olympic Games...
in Duisburg Germany under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
.
The game is often described as a combination of water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
. The tactics and playing of the game are not unlike basketball or water polo but with the added complexity of the boats, which can be used to tackle an opposition player in position with the ball, or jostle for position within 6m of the goal.
For a clip of canoe polo, see the International Canoe Federation clip:
Rules
The ball, a waterpolo ball, is passed from between players using hands or paddles. A player in possession of the ball can be hand tackled by being pushed over on the shoulder or back and/or kayak tackled by an opposition member. Players may only have the ball in their possession for a maximum of five seconds. Players can 'dribble' the ball by positioning the ball one meter or more ahead of themselves or sideways into the water.Most of the rules concern the safety of the players involved. For example illegal substitution and entry into the playing area (see below), illegal use of the paddle, illegal action against a capsized player, illegal jostle and illegal screening. Penalties
Foul (sports)
In sports, a foul is an inappropriate or unfair act by a player as deemed by a referee. A foul may be intentional or accidental, and often results in a penalty....
include goal- and sideline throws, free shots, goal penalty shots, and penalty card
Penalty card
A penalty card is used in many sports as a means of warning, reprimanding or penalising a player, coach or team official. Penalty cards are most commonly used by referees or umpires to indicate that a player has committed an offense. The referee will hold the card above his or her head while...
s.
Substitutions can be made at any time during the game without notifying the referee, the player and all their equipment must be behind the goal line before another player can come on. Illegal substitution results in the oncoming player being yellow carded or if it is unclear the captain will nominate a player(2 minute send off, team plays with one less player).
Pitch
Canoe polo is played either indoors in swimming pools or outdoors on a pitch which should measure 35 metres by 23 metres. The boundaries of the pitch are ideally marked using floating ropes (similar to lane markers in swimming, although for smaller venues the edges of the pool are frequently used.Referees
There are two referees (one on each side-line) and they are on foot rather than in boats. The score is kept by the scorekeeper and the timekeeper monitors the playing time and sending-off times. The goal lines are monitored by 2 line judges. Before play commences scrutineers check all kit for compliance with regulations.Goals
The goals (measuring 1metre high by 1.5 metres wide) are a frame with a net, suspended 2 metres above the water. A player, acting as goalie, defends the goal with their paddle by sticking it up vertically, special rules concern the goalie, such as: the attacking team not being able to interfere with or jostle them. The length of the paddles used by the goalies are often longer than those used by other players.Timing
The game is officially played as a 14-20 minute game consisting of two 7-10 minute halves. The teams change ends at the half-time period, which is 1 to 3 minutes long. Each half begins with a "sprint" where each team lines up against its goal-line and the ball is thrown into the middle of the pitch by the referee. One player from each team sprints to win possession of the ball.Men
| Year | Host | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  Duisburg Duisburg - History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC... , Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
 Netherlands |
Germany |
United Kingdom |
| 2009 |  Kaohsiung Kaohsiung Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China... , Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei is the designated name used by the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, to participate in some international organizations and almost all sporting events, such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and Asian Para Games... |
 France |
Netherlands |
 Australia |
| 2013 |  Cali Calì Calì, also written in English as Cali, is an Italian surname, widespread mainly in the Ionian side of Sicily.For the surname Calì is assumed the origin of the Greek word kalos , or from its Sanskrit root kali, "time."The surname refers to:... , Colombia Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the... |
Women
| Year | Host | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Duisburg Duisburg - History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC... , Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
Germany |
United Kingdom |
 Japan |
| 2009 | Kaohsiung Kaohsiung Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China... , Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei is the designated name used by the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, to participate in some international organizations and almost all sporting events, such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and Asian Para Games... |
United Kingdom |
Germany |
France |
| 2013 | Cali Calì Calì, also written in English as Cali, is an Italian surname, widespread mainly in the Ionian side of Sicily.For the surname Calì is assumed the origin of the Greek word kalos , or from its Sanskrit root kali, "time."The surname refers to:... , Colombia Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the... |
See also
- International Canoe FederationInternational Canoe FederationThe International Canoe Federation is the umbrella organization of all national canoe organizations worldwide. It is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and administers all aspects of canoe sport worldwide...
- British Canoe UnionBritish Canoe UnionThe British Canoe Union is a national governing body for canoeing in the United Kingdom, whose stated purpose is "Helping and Inspiring people to go canoeing”....
- USACKUsackUSACK is a non-profit membership organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina, promoting canoe and kayak racing in the United States. It is the national governing body for the Olympic sports of flatwater sprint and whitewater slalom canoe racing, and an official member of the International...
- USA Canoe/Kayak
External links
- Canoe Polo International
- CanoePolo.com, a canoe polo forum
- CanoePolo.org, a wiki for canoe polo
- Clydes Polo Page, long-lived popular website dealing with all aspects of International and UK canoe polo
- BCU Canoe Polo Committee, The British Canoe Union Canoe Polo Committee's website