Use your paddle safely
Contact and safety · Rule 10.19
Do not contact an opponent’s body with your paddle, play their paddle instead of the ball, or use your paddle in a way that endangers anyone.
How it works
Paddle contact with an opponent, playing an opponent's paddle, throwing a paddle, and dangerous paddle play are illegal. Restrictions also apply near an opponent reaching for the ball and around a ball in an opponent's hand. A goalkeeper may defend a shot with a stationary paddle under the rule's conditions.
In a game
An opponent reaches for a ball beside their kayak: do not swing your paddle across their bow to play it.
Remember
The goalkeeper has a specific exception for defending a shot; read the full rule for its limits.