CANOE POLO LEVEL 1

FOR BEGINNERS

Contents:

What gear is required to play Canoe Polo

Notes about gear

How to get in the kayak

How to hold the paddle

How to paddle the kayak

How to turn the kayak

Ball skills

Basic rules for playing

Refereeing

What is expected from parents on the

sideline

A Parents’ Guide to

Canoe Polo

────

This brochure is

designed to help

guide you in

coaching your child

in the great sport of

Canoe Polo

────

Individual skills

within a team

environment

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For more

information go to

www.canoepolohb.co.nz

What gear is required to play canoe polo?

HELMET WITH FACE GUARD

PFD

(PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE)

A BALL

A PADDLE

A KAYAK

Notes about Equipment

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR PLAYERS ALL KNOW HOW TO WEAR THE SAFETY

EQUIPMENT CORRECTLY.

HELMET

Main purpose is to protect the face. Please ensure the face guard is sitting

below the jawline.

PFD

Make sure the straps are fastened tightly and worn correctly (with the

smaller number at the front). Make sure the side padding is in place.

KAYAKS

Boats are heavy and expensive! Please ensure your children have adult

assistance when they are required to move boats in and out of the water and

to and from storage areas.

PLEASE ENSURE ANY FAULTY OR DAMAGED GEAR IS NOT USED. PLEASE

INFORM THE HEAD REFEREE SO IT CAN BE REPAIRED.

How to get in the kayak

POINT A

Hold onto the boat

paddle at POINT A to

keep the kayak stable

and slide in legs first.

How to hold the Paddle

To check correct placement, place the paddle on

your head; elbows should be at right angles.

Hands the same width apart as your shoulders.

How to control the Kayak

PADDLING FORWARDS

The paddle enters the water level with knees and top hand pushes forward

to create power as the lower hand is pulled back.

HOW TO PADDLE BACKWARDS

The paddle enters the water behind the player’s body and is pushed forward

with the lower hand as the top hand pulls the paddle.

Once the paddle is out of the water on one side of the kayak it is placed in

on the other side and the same process occurs. Keep the paddle high, as you

would with a forward stroke.

How to turn your boat

There are two basic ways to turn your boat:

THE FORWARD SWEEP

If a forward stroke is made with the

blade of the paddle further out, away

from the kayak then this will cause

the kayak to turn. It is much easier if

the foot on the same side is pushing

against the footrest. (Assuming your

child has long enough legs).

THE DRAG TURN

If the player is already moving forward then a turn can be made by simply

placing the paddle in the water on the side that they want to turn to.

THE RIGHT TURN THE LEFT TURN

Ball Skills

THROWING

The main type of throw is called a baseball throw. The action should be the

same as for catching a ball one handed, but in reverse.

1) Start with the ball balanced on the hand behind the ear.

2) Then rotate the body forward

in the direction of the throw.

3) Straighten the arm at the

elbow.

4) Flick the ball out with the

wrist. For maximum speed and

power in the throw the player

should release the ball off the

middle finger and all the steps

should be simultaneous.

PICKING UP THE BALL FROM THE WATER

Place your hand on top of the ball and

roll your hand over the ball away from

the boat.

When your hand is under the ball,

lift it out of the water.

Basic rules for playing

5 PLAYERS IN A TEAM ONE IS A GOALIE

BUT YOU ARE ALLOWED TWO/THREE SUBS

WHO SITS UNDER THE GOAL

The role of the goal keeper is an important one and all players should have

a chance to try this position. All players should know how to be a keeper.

Goalkeepers need to keep their eyes on the ball at all times, not just the

player who is about to throw it. They also need to keep an eye on the

position their boat is in, relative to the goal above them.

THE COURT LOOKS LIKE THIS

REFEREEING

Games are refereed by two referees. One on each side of the pool. It is

important that the area is kept clear to allow them to follow the game.

It is the referee’s responsibility to ensure the players are following the rules

and playing in a safe manner. There are many rules in a game of Canoe Polo

but at a beginner level the main focus is on safety. Paddle fouls, illegal

tackles (where you are not allowed to hit the opposition’s boat) and out of

bound balls or holding the ball more than 5 seconds can all impact play.

The paddle may only be used to paddle and to deflect the ball. It may not be

used to hit the ball within 1 metre of another players hands.

The player in YELLOW may not place his paddle this close to the player in BLUE and they

may also not bring their paddle to the ball from behind the player as shown

The referee will use hand signals to identify the infringement and direction

of play. Common hand signals used at this level are;

THE COMPLETE LIST AND OFFICIAL RULES CAN BE FOUND AT

WWW.CANOEICF.COM

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM PARENTS ON THE SIDELINE

Some parents have been known to get a little carried away in their children’s

sport.

NO NO

YES YES

Canoe Polo is an exciting game at all levels.

Children who are learning require support from their parents both on and

off the water.

Off the water they will need help with transport, organising gear before their

game, positive encouragement before, during and after the game.

Please allow the referees to do their jobs by keeping clear of the sidelines

and refraining from commenting on decisions made by the refs during the

game. Please note spectators can also be carded and asked to leave the pool

if necessary.

Please remember the officials at Canoe Polo are volunteers and are therefore

doing it because they are passionate about the game.

It is also necessary from time-to-time for teams to provide scorers and

referees so please help by volunteering to score of go one step further and

become a qualified referee. (There are courses available from Canoe Polo

Hawkes Bay on a regular basis.)

You don’t have to play the game to be able to learn how to referee it.