Vintage Canoe Polo Rules
The game rules for canoe polo were originally based on different grassroot movements around the world each with its own peculiarities and styles. The period of the 'modern era' can be attributed to the early 1920's until the end of the 1980's afterwhich new rules were created to standardizing games played around the world. The first appearance of these new rules were made public in 1988 by the International Canoe Federation's Canoe Polo Committee. The first World Championships held in Sheffield England in 1992 officially used these rules which would in the future be officially referred to as 'I.C.F. Rules'. Since then canoe polo has been played with just one set of rules worldwide. Periodically it is subjected to upgrading by the I.C.F.'s Canoe Polo Committee.
It is interesting however to read about the five major styles of play which were used around the world prior to rule unification. The majority of the countries played with one of the five different game rules which were generally known as "German", "British", "Dutch", "Italian" or "Australian" Rules.
Below you can read a short summary of how each set of rules differed from one another.
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It is interesting however to read about the five major styles of play which were used around the world prior to rule unification. The majority of the countries played with one of the five different game rules which were generally known as "German", "British", "Dutch", "Italian" or "Australian" Rules.
Below you can read a short summary of how each set of rules differed from one another.
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"GERMAN RULES"
These rules were used in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Sweden and in Switzerland
PITCH SIZE: It was approximately ninety meters in length and fifty meters in width.
GOALS: They were floating goal-posts four meters wide, one-and-a-half meters deep, one and a half meters high.
PLAYING TIME: It consisted of two half periods of thirty minutes each. Teams changed sides at half-time
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees on opposite sides of the width of the pitch.
KAYAKS: They were four meters in length and eighty centimeters wide, no limitation on the weight, the front and rear ends were rubber tipped.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Nine players for each game. No more than six players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, buoyancy vests, plastic helmets, face-guards were not used.
BALL TYPE: It was made of hollow plastic or rubber and weighed three-hundred and fifty to four-hundred grams. The diameter ranged between sixty-five and sixty-seven centimeters.
PADDLES: They were double-feathered paddles made out of wood, plastic or aluminium were permitted with a maximum length of two meters and forty centimeters. Metal-tipped paddles were not allowed.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball for advancing or scoring of goals was used both by hand and by paddle play. It was permitted to push opponents kayaks either when advancing or attacking to gain possess of the ball but not to capsize them into the water. Physical contact of pushing opponents into the water during ball possession was not used.
GOALS: They were floating goal-posts four meters wide, one-and-a-half meters deep, one and a half meters high.
PLAYING TIME: It consisted of two half periods of thirty minutes each. Teams changed sides at half-time
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees on opposite sides of the width of the pitch.
KAYAKS: They were four meters in length and eighty centimeters wide, no limitation on the weight, the front and rear ends were rubber tipped.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Nine players for each game. No more than six players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, buoyancy vests, plastic helmets, face-guards were not used.
BALL TYPE: It was made of hollow plastic or rubber and weighed three-hundred and fifty to four-hundred grams. The diameter ranged between sixty-five and sixty-seven centimeters.
PADDLES: They were double-feathered paddles made out of wood, plastic or aluminium were permitted with a maximum length of two meters and forty centimeters. Metal-tipped paddles were not allowed.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball for advancing or scoring of goals was used both by hand and by paddle play. It was permitted to push opponents kayaks either when advancing or attacking to gain possess of the ball but not to capsize them into the water. Physical contact of pushing opponents into the water during ball possession was not used.
"BRITISH RULES"
These rules were used in England, Canada, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Spain and in South Africa
PITCH SIZE: It was any shape or size of pitch with a 3:2 ratio but with goals facing each other between twenty and thirty meters apart.
GOALS: They were flat boards measuring one meter by one meter square suspended vertically two meters over the center base lines of the pitch facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: Time would not have been more than seven minutes and not less than four minutes each way. Teams changed halves in the interval between two half times.
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees on each on opposite sides of the width of the pitch with a time-keeper.
KAYAKS: The length was not less than two meters not more than three meters. The beam was not less than fifty centimeters and not more than sixty centimeters. The bow and stern was with a curve at any point not less than ten centimeters in radius. The profile required a curve at any point not less than five centimeters radius. The bow and stern profiles had a curve of not less than five centimeters radius at any given point. Padding had to be firmly fixed to the bow and stern of every kayak. The minimum dry weight was seven kilograms.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time. Each player would wear team bibs or other identical team markings.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, buoyancy vests, plastic helmets. face-guards were not used.
BALL TYPE: The ball was a size 5 plastic football sixty-nine to seventy-one centimeters in circumference.
PADDLES: The blades must not have been metal-tipped and no part of the blade may have had a radius of less than three centimeters in plan.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball was predominantly used by hand play although occasional paddle play was permitted. It was also permitted to push the players in possess of the ball into the water by using one's own arm against the opposing players upper torso.
GOALS: They were flat boards measuring one meter by one meter square suspended vertically two meters over the center base lines of the pitch facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: Time would not have been more than seven minutes and not less than four minutes each way. Teams changed halves in the interval between two half times.
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees on each on opposite sides of the width of the pitch with a time-keeper.
KAYAKS: The length was not less than two meters not more than three meters. The beam was not less than fifty centimeters and not more than sixty centimeters. The bow and stern was with a curve at any point not less than ten centimeters in radius. The profile required a curve at any point not less than five centimeters radius. The bow and stern profiles had a curve of not less than five centimeters radius at any given point. Padding had to be firmly fixed to the bow and stern of every kayak. The minimum dry weight was seven kilograms.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time. Each player would wear team bibs or other identical team markings.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, buoyancy vests, plastic helmets. face-guards were not used.
BALL TYPE: The ball was a size 5 plastic football sixty-nine to seventy-one centimeters in circumference.
PADDLES: The blades must not have been metal-tipped and no part of the blade may have had a radius of less than three centimeters in plan.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball was predominantly used by hand play although occasional paddle play was permitted. It was also permitted to push the players in possess of the ball into the water by using one's own arm against the opposing players upper torso.
"AUSTRALIAN RULES"
These rules were used in Argentina, Australia, Chinese Taipei and in New Zealand
PITCH SIZE: The playing area was rectangular and had a length to width ratio of 3:2. The minimum length was twenty-five meters and the maximum was fifty. The depth of the water had to be a minimum of ninety centimeters.
GOALS: The goals were located over the center of each goal-line with their lower inside edge two meters above the surface of the water facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: The time was normally two halves of ten minutes each of play with an interval between. Teams changed sides after the interval period.
GAME OFFICIALS: There were two referees, one time-keeper, one score-keeper, two goal linesmen.
KAYAKS: The minimum length was no less than two meters and no more than three. The width was not less than fifty centimeters and no more than sixty. The ends in plan had a curve of not less than ten centimeters radius at any given point.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, suitable safety helmets and face-masks and buoyancy vests.
BALL TYPE: An official water-polo ball
PADDLES: One double-bladed paddle was used by each player. The blades were to be not more than fifty centimeters by twenty-five to plan with no part of the edge less than three centimeters radius in plan. The paddles could not have had any sharp projections or any other dangerous feature.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball was primarily by hand but occasionally paddle play was also used. Pushing opponents in possess of the ball into the water was permitted by using one or both arms only on the opposing players upper torso.
GOALS: The goals were located over the center of each goal-line with their lower inside edge two meters above the surface of the water facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: The time was normally two halves of ten minutes each of play with an interval between. Teams changed sides after the interval period.
GAME OFFICIALS: There were two referees, one time-keeper, one score-keeper, two goal linesmen.
KAYAKS: The minimum length was no less than two meters and no more than three. The width was not less than fifty centimeters and no more than sixty. The ends in plan had a curve of not less than ten centimeters radius at any given point.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, suitable safety helmets and face-masks and buoyancy vests.
BALL TYPE: An official water-polo ball
PADDLES: One double-bladed paddle was used by each player. The blades were to be not more than fifty centimeters by twenty-five to plan with no part of the edge less than three centimeters radius in plan. The paddles could not have had any sharp projections or any other dangerous feature.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball was primarily by hand but occasionally paddle play was also used. Pushing opponents in possess of the ball into the water was permitted by using one or both arms only on the opposing players upper torso.
"DUTCH RULES"
These rules were used in Belgium, Portugal and in The Netherlands
PITCH SIZE: The playing area was with a maximum measurement of thirty meters in length and twenty meters wide and with a minimum measurement of twenty-five meters in length and twelve meters wide. The minimum depth of the water had to be ninety centimetres deep.
GOALS: The goal-posts were identical to those used in water-polo. The width was three meters wide, ninety centimetres high with a minimum depth of thirty centimetres. The goals had to be placed in the centre of both rear goal-lines facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: The playing time was varied according to the Dutch Canoe Polo Committee before the start of each class competing. Generally the match was played with two halves of ten minutes. Teams changed ends at half-time.
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees and a time-keeper.
KAYAKS: The length had to be between a minimum of two and a half meters and three meters in length and a maximum of sixty centimetres wide. The maximum height of the kayak was forty centimetres They had to be rounded in the front and the rear. The curves of the front and rear when measured from above had to be at least eight centimetres and from the side a minimum of four centimetres The kayaks had to be made 'unsinkable' and the front and rear had to be equipped with a compulsory buffer at least three centimetres thick.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time. Each player would wear team bibs or other identical team markings. Each player had to wear a visible number on the front or rear of his identical shirt. The captain of each team had to wear a visible armlet clearly identifiable by the referee.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks and helmets. Face and ear guards were compulsory. Wearing dangerous ornaments were not permitted during the game.
BALL TYPE: A plastic football size 4 weighing two hundred and seventy grams.
PADDLES: Double-feathered paddles with a maximum length of two meters and sixteen centimetres. Metal paddles were not allowed. The blade had to be minimally five millimetres thick and should have been round-edged. The blade had to have a maximum width of twenty-five centimetres The corners of each blade should be rounded at a radius of thirty millimetres.
GAME STYLE: The ball could be played with the hand, paddle or head. However goals could only be scored by the ball being hit by the paddle and not with any part of the body or any part of the boat from the scoring team. The scoring player could not be the last player to have played the ball with the hand. If the ball was played by the defending team touches their body or equipment into their own goal then this action is deemed a goal. It was permitted to push the players in possess of the ball into the water by using one's own arm only against the opposing players upper torso.
GOALS: The goal-posts were identical to those used in water-polo. The width was three meters wide, ninety centimetres high with a minimum depth of thirty centimetres. The goals had to be placed in the centre of both rear goal-lines facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: The playing time was varied according to the Dutch Canoe Polo Committee before the start of each class competing. Generally the match was played with two halves of ten minutes. Teams changed ends at half-time.
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees and a time-keeper.
KAYAKS: The length had to be between a minimum of two and a half meters and three meters in length and a maximum of sixty centimetres wide. The maximum height of the kayak was forty centimetres They had to be rounded in the front and the rear. The curves of the front and rear when measured from above had to be at least eight centimetres and from the side a minimum of four centimetres The kayaks had to be made 'unsinkable' and the front and rear had to be equipped with a compulsory buffer at least three centimetres thick.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time. Each player would wear team bibs or other identical team markings. Each player had to wear a visible number on the front or rear of his identical shirt. The captain of each team had to wear a visible armlet clearly identifiable by the referee.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks and helmets. Face and ear guards were compulsory. Wearing dangerous ornaments were not permitted during the game.
BALL TYPE: A plastic football size 4 weighing two hundred and seventy grams.
PADDLES: Double-feathered paddles with a maximum length of two meters and sixteen centimetres. Metal paddles were not allowed. The blade had to be minimally five millimetres thick and should have been round-edged. The blade had to have a maximum width of twenty-five centimetres The corners of each blade should be rounded at a radius of thirty millimetres.
GAME STYLE: The ball could be played with the hand, paddle or head. However goals could only be scored by the ball being hit by the paddle and not with any part of the body or any part of the boat from the scoring team. The scoring player could not be the last player to have played the ball with the hand. If the ball was played by the defending team touches their body or equipment into their own goal then this action is deemed a goal. It was permitted to push the players in possess of the ball into the water by using one's own arm only against the opposing players upper torso.
"ITALIAN RULES"
These rules were used in Italy and in the United States of America
PITCH SIZE: It was approximately forty-five meters in length and twenty-three meters in width
GOALS: They were floating goal-posts four meters wide, one-and-a-half meters deep, one and a half meters high and were both placed and fixed in the center of the rear base-lines facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: It was two halves of twenty minutes each. Teams changed ends after the first period.
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees on opposite sides of the width of the pitch with a time and score-keeper.
KAYAKS: The length could not be less than two meters but not more than three meters. The beam was not less than fifty centimeters and not more than sixty centimeters. The bow and stern was with a curve at any point not less than ten centimeters in radius. The profile required a curve at any point not less than five centimeters radius. The bow and stern profiles had a curve of not less than five centimeters radius at any given point. Padding had to be firmly fixed to the bow and stern of every kayak. Padding had to be firmly fixed to the bow and stern of every kayak.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time. Each player would wear team bibs or other identical team markings.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, no buoyancy vests were used, plastic helmets without face-guards.
BALL TYPE: It was similar to a size 4 plastic handball with a weight of three-hundred and twenty grams. The circumference was between sixty-five and seventy centimeters in diameter.
PADDLES: Double-feathered paddles made out of wood, plastic or aluminium were permitted with no minimum or maximum length size.The paddles could not have had any sharp projections.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball for advancing or scoring of goals was limited exclusively to paddle use. It was permitted to touch the ball only for penalty, corner and side throw-ins. It was possible to reach over the adversaries kayak with their paddles to gain access to the ball, limited to the front and rear ends marked clearly by a tape. Possession of the ball was limited to five seconds after which it had to be moved at least a meter away to avoid time infractions. Physical contact of trying to push opponents into the water during ball possession was unknown, therefore not used.
GOALS: They were floating goal-posts four meters wide, one-and-a-half meters deep, one and a half meters high and were both placed and fixed in the center of the rear base-lines facing each other.
PLAYING TIME: It was two halves of twenty minutes each. Teams changed ends after the first period.
GAME OFFICIALS: Two referees on opposite sides of the width of the pitch with a time and score-keeper.
KAYAKS: The length could not be less than two meters but not more than three meters. The beam was not less than fifty centimeters and not more than sixty centimeters. The bow and stern was with a curve at any point not less than ten centimeters in radius. The profile required a curve at any point not less than five centimeters radius. The bow and stern profiles had a curve of not less than five centimeters radius at any given point. Padding had to be firmly fixed to the bow and stern of every kayak. Padding had to be firmly fixed to the bow and stern of every kayak.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Eight players for each game. No more than five players could be allowed on the playing area at any one time. Each player would wear team bibs or other identical team markings.
KIT: It consisted of spray-decks, no buoyancy vests were used, plastic helmets without face-guards.
BALL TYPE: It was similar to a size 4 plastic handball with a weight of three-hundred and twenty grams. The circumference was between sixty-five and seventy centimeters in diameter.
PADDLES: Double-feathered paddles made out of wood, plastic or aluminium were permitted with no minimum or maximum length size.The paddles could not have had any sharp projections.
GAME STYLE: Propulsion of the ball for advancing or scoring of goals was limited exclusively to paddle use. It was permitted to touch the ball only for penalty, corner and side throw-ins. It was possible to reach over the adversaries kayak with their paddles to gain access to the ball, limited to the front and rear ends marked clearly by a tape. Possession of the ball was limited to five seconds after which it had to be moved at least a meter away to avoid time infractions. Physical contact of trying to push opponents into the water during ball possession was unknown, therefore not used.
OTHER COUNTRIES RULES
No evidence is currently available on the type of rules that were used in Japan, Malaysia, Norway or in Singapore prior to 1992.
No evidence is currently available on the type of rules that were used in Japan, Malaysia, Norway or in Singapore prior to 1992.
