rules to play canoeing

Rules to play Canoeing

1. Playing area
The playing area shall be rectangular, and have a length of 35 metres and a width of 23 metres. The ImmediateSurround of the playing area shall be an unobstructed area of water, with where possible a minimum width of 1 metre outside all boundaries. The water throughout the playing area must be still water at least 90 cms deep. There must be a clear height of at least 3 metres without obstacles, and a minimum ceiling height of 5 metres, above the playing area. There shall be a walkway on each side of the playing area kept clear for the referees.
2. Playing area boundaries and markers
The longer boundaries are to be referred to as the sidelines, the shorter boundaries as the goal lines. The sidelines and goal lines are to be indicated by a floating lane rope.The section of the goal line 4 metres either side of the centre of the goal frame should be free from floats so as not to interfere with the positioning of the goalkeeper. Markers indicating the goal lines, half way line and points 6 metres from each goal line are to be placed along the sidelines, and be clearly visible to both referees and players. Markers indicating the substituteareas are to be placed on the goal lines four metres either side of the centre of the goal frame, and be clearly visible to both referees and players.
3. Goals
Each goal will be located over the centre of each goal line with their lower inside edge 2 metres above the surface of the water. Each goal is to be held in such a way that it is prevented from swinging or moving. The goal supports should not interfere with any player defending or manoeuvring around the goal area, or with the flight of the ball in the area of play.

Each goal will consist of an open frame 1 metre high by 1.5 metres wide (measured internally) hung vertically. The maximum width of a material used to construct the goal frame will be 5 centimetres. The goal frames should not have any vertical or horizontal bars parallel to the main goal frame which may cause the ball to rebound out of the goal frame. The front face of the frame must be free from any loose netting, net fastenings or sharp edges which may impede the flight of the ball or damage the ball or players equipment. The front face of the frame must be red and white striped each stripe being of 20 cms length. For venues involving multiple fields all goals must be identical.

Each goal is to have a net made from a strong shock absorbing material, which allows the ball to pass freely through the goal frame but indicate clearly that a goal has been scored. The net shall be a minimum of fifty (50) centimetres deep and have no loose or hanging ends which may interfere with players or their equipment or blow in the wind or that may impede the ball entering the goal.

4. The ball
Size 5 will be used for Open. Size 4 will be used for Ladies and Youth.The ball shall be round and shall have an air chamber with a selfclosing valve. It shall be waterproof, without external strapping or any covering of grease or similar substance.The weight of the ball shall be not less than 400 grams and not more than 450 grams.

For games played by Men, Under21 Men and Master Men, the circumference of the ball shall not be less than 68 cms and not more than 71 cms, and its pressure shall be 9097 kPa (kilo pascals).For games played by Women, Under21 Women and Master Women, the circumference of the ball shall not be less than 65 cms and not more than 67 cms, and its pressure shall be 8390 kPa (kilo pascals).

5. Game officials
The game officials shall consist of two 2 referees, 2 goal line judges, 1 scrutineer, 2 timekeepers and 1 scorekeeper.Depending on the degree of importance games can be controlled by teams of between 3 and 8 officials. Where there are only 3 game officials, 2 shall be the referees who shall take on the additional duties of the goal line judges and the scrutineer and one timekeeper taking over the duties of the timekeepers and scorekeeper.
6. Referees
The referees shall be in absolute control of the game. Their authority over the players shall be effective during the whole time that they and the players are within the competition area.

All decisions of the referees on questions of fact shall be final and their interpretation of the rules shall be obeyed throughout the game. No protest or appeal can be made in relation to an interpretive decision of a referee. The referees shall not make any presumption as to the facts of any situation during the game but shall interpret what they observe to the best of their ability.

The referees shall whistle to start and restart the game and to declare goals, goal line throws, corner throws, infringements of the rules and timeouts. A referee may alter their decision provided they do so before the ball is put back into play. The referee must ensure that before the game is restarted that in their sole discretion neither team is disadvantaged.

The referees shall have the power to order the removal from the competition area any person whose behaviour prevents the referees from carrying out their duties in a proper and impartial manner.

The referees shall have the power to abandon the game at any time if, in their opinion, the behaviour of the players, teamofficials or other circumstances prevent it from being brought to a proper conclusion. If the game has to be abandoned the referees shall report their actions to the Chief Official.

7. Scrutineer
The scrutineer will be responsible for checking the equipment of all players before and during their game. They may also check equipment at any other time during a competition. UK The BCU Canoe Polo Committee, National Leagues organiser, National Leagues Secretaries or relevant Competition Organising Committee may appoint a Scrutineer for any applicable event.
8. Timekeepers
The timekeepers shall be situated at the officials table. The duties of the timekeepers shall be to
Record the exact periods of playing time, timeouts and the intervals between the periods;
Control the periods of timeouts and to signal the period by raising a red flag, except that a referee shall signal the end of a timeout;
Record the sendoff times of players ordered from the playing area in accordance with the rules, together with the reentry times of such players or their substitutes;
Control the periods of exclusion of players and to signal the end of the period of exclusion by a visual electronic device or by raising and waving a green flag; A timekeeper shall signal by any means provided it is distinctive, acoustically efficient and readily understood, the end of each period independently of the referees and their signal shall take immediate effect except in the case of the simultaneous award by a referee of a goal penalty shot, in which event the goal penalty shot shall be taken in accordance with the rules.
9. Scorekeeper
The scorekeeper shall be situated at the official table. The duties of the scorekeeper shall be to
Record the awarded goals and maintain the scoreboard during the game.
Maintain the record of the game, including the players, the score, timeouts, green, yellow and red cards awarded against each player. UK The scorekeeper should draw attention to the referee by suitable means (such as waving their hand) to indicate a player has accumulated either 3 Green Cards (=Yellow Card) or 2 Yellow Cards (=Red Card) indicating the one currently being issued as applicable.
10. Number of players
Each team may consist of a maximum of 8 players for any one game. No more than 5 players are permitted on the playing area at any one time. Any other players at that moment are to be considered as substitutes. A team must begin each game with 5 players, ready to start on their own goal line. If a team is reduced to 2 players at any time the referee shall end the game and refer the matter to the competition committee who shall decide the appropriate action to be taken.

The list of players names and numbers for a game must be handed to the appropriate official before the time indicated by the Competition Committee. UK From ICF Chapter 2 article 21.1.3 Up to 10 players may be used for each team as a squad (throughout a competition or league season), but a maximum of 8 players may be used for any game with a maximum of 5 on the playing area at any one time. The National Leagues Organiser may allow teams to use more than 10 players in a season in exceptional circumstances.