Ball and possessionRule 10.20
Once you gain possession, release the ball within five seconds by passing it or making a throw that travels at least one metre.
See an example and key point
In a game
You collect the ball from the water: pass to a teammate promptly instead of holding it while deciding where to go.
Remember
Possession includes a ball in your hand, within hand’s reach on the water, or balanced on your paddle.
Ball and possessionRule 10.20.1
Yes. A player balancing the ball on a paddle is treated as having possession, just as when the ball is in their hand or reachable on the water. The five-second disposal rule applies.
See an example and key point
In a game
You balance the ball on a paddle while looking for a teammate to pass to.
Remember
The paddle does not stop the possession clock.
Ball and possessionRule 10.20.3, 10.11
If players share possession, the five-second count begins again once a player regains sole possession. If opposing players firmly share possession for five seconds, the referee may award a referee's ball under rule 10.11.
See an example and key point
In a game
Two opponents grip the ball before one pulls it free; a new possession count starts for that player.
Remember
The shared-ball situation can become a referee's ball after five seconds.
Ball and possessionRule 10.20.5–10.20.6
A player must not manoeuvre their kayak while the ball rests on the spray deck. They also must not actively paddle or manoeuvre with both hands on the paddle while carrying the ball in any way.
See an example and key point
In a game
A player sets the ball on their deck and uses the paddle to move forwards; the referee penalises possession.
Remember
Carry and move the ball within the specific restrictions of rule 10.20.
Contact and safetyRule 10.21, 10.25
The clarification permits a safe attempt to play only the ball before the throwing action starts, without forceful or downward action. Once the ball is raised behind the head to start the throw, contact with the throwing arm or ball is prohibited in the stated situation.
See an example and key point
In a game
A defender reaches for a stationary ball, then withdraws as the attacker starts the throwing motion.
Remember
Do not strike or pull back the throwing arm from the side or behind during a pass or shot.
Contact and safetyRule 10.21
A hand tackle is a one-hand push on a player who has the ball. Contact must be with an open hand to the back, upper arm or side and must not endanger them.
See an example and key point
In a game
The player has already passed: do not push them. They no longer have possession.
Remember
Never strike or pull back a throwing arm from the side or behind.
Contact and safetyRule 10.21.2
A hand tackle is illegal if the opponent lacks possession or shares it, if contact is not one open hand to the back, upper arm or side, if it endangers the player, or if it strikes or pulls back a throwing arm from the side or behind during a throw.
See an example and key point
In a game
A defender pushes a player whose teammate also holds the ball; the referee penalises it.
Remember
Keep hand contact safe, open and limited to a sole ball carrier.
Contact and safetyRule 10.22
A kayak tackle is contact with another kayak while competing for the ball. Contact that endangers a player, hits their head or body, or targets someone too far from the ball is illegal.
See an example and key point
In a game
An opponent is well away from the ball: do not drive your kayak into theirs to block their route.
Remember
Control speed and angle; safety takes priority over winning possession.
Contact and safetyRule 10.22.3
Significant contact with an opponent's head or body, dangerous contact over the spray deck, or a hard side impact at around a right angle are illegal. A player carrying the ball must also avoid significant bow contact with another player's head or body.
See an example and key point
In a game
A tackler hits the side of an opponent's kayak hard at ninety degrees.
Remember
A lawful contest for the ball is not permission to endanger another player.
Contact and safetyRule 10.23
Jostling is kayak contact to gain position between the attacking six-metre line and the goal line. It becomes illegal if sustained contact moves a stationary opponent's body more than two metres, if the contact is an illegal kayak tackle, or if the player's body is behind the goal line.
See an example and key point
In a game
An attacker keeps pushing a stationary defender back over two metres near goal.
Remember
Jostling is not permission for dangerous kayak contact.
Contact and safetyRule 10.24
A player must not actively or deliberately impede an opponent when neither is within three metres of the ball, except for permitted attacking-end jostling. A player not contesting a ball on the water must not actively block someone who is.
See an example and key point
In a game
A player paddles across a distant opponent's route when neither is near the ball.
Remember
Stationary positioning and the jostling exception need to be distinguished from active obstruction.
Contact and safetyRule 10.25
Using an opponent or equipment for support or propulsion, holding their kayak or gear, and fending off a tackle with a hand or forearm can be illegal. A defender must not affect a throwing action by contacting the arm or ball still in hand; stationary hands contacted by the thrower are treated differently.
See an example and key point
In a game
A player pulls an opponent's kayak with a paddle to gain position.
Remember
A stationary defender's hands are not automatically a foul if the thrower moves into them.
