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1. PLAYING AREA
The playing area is a rectangular swimming pool, and has a length to width ratio of 3 to 2 where possible. The minimum length is 25 meters and maximum is 40 meters. The minimum depth is 90 cm.
The goals are located over
the center of each Goal-Line with their inside edge two meters above the water.
The goals consist of open frames 1 meter high by 1.5 meters wide (measured
internally) hung vertically.
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2. BALL
The ball used to play is an official water polo ball. The ball can be handled by either a players hand or the paddle blade. 
3. KAYAKS
The kayaks have a length of no more than 3 meters and no less than 2 meters. The width is between 50-60 cm. The kayak must have its ends in plan, a curve not less than 10 cm radius at any point.
In the U.S., many groups play in kayaks built for whitewater since few plastic
kayaks are available at this time. Any
recreational WW kayak can have padding (such as 1" pipe insulation) taped
to the bow and stern and function as a surrogate polo kayak.
Typical surrogate examples are: Dagger
RPMs or Redlines, Perception Whip-it and Whiplash, Prijon Fly, Pyranah Micro-Bat
and RX-300, New Wave Sleek, Wave Sport X and Y, etc. Plastic Polo boats
are available thru Dagger, or Eskimo.
4. PADDLES
The blades can be no more than 50 cm x 25 cm in plan no with no part of the edge less than 3 cm radius in plan. Paddle must not have any sharp projections or any other dangerous feature. Any sharp edges must be taped over. Unless you purchase a Polo paddle, a WW paddle can be made safer (and closer to 3mm thick) by placing Rim Rubber (available from paddling stores) or regular car door trim molding (available from any auto parts store) to the edge of the paddle. In addition, you may need to use duct tape to have these rim edges stay on and expose no sharp edges.
5. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
All the players must wear all the protection equipment, this includes the helmet (a facemask is highly recommended since the most common polo injury is a broken nose or split lip--hockey masks work well or polo masks are obtainable), a PFD(Kayak Polo pfd's are preferable since the have thicker padding and kidney padding; however, a WW pfd is adequate) and a spraydeck. SEE PICTURE BELOW. However, no other personal clothing or jewelry is allowed to be worn during play.
6. "Boiled down"
Kayak Polo Rules
6.1. Each team consists of up to eight players, but only five are allowed on the court at any time. Substitutions can be made at any time, even during play.
6.2. There are four referees: First Referee and Second Referee, and two Goal Linesman; as well as a timekeeper and a scorekeeper.
6.3. The game is played in two ten minutes halves with three minutes in between.
6.4.
The ball may be played with the hands or the paddle, except it that cannot be
struck (like hitting a baseball) nor held with the hands for more than 5
seconds.
6.5.
Possession of the ball is when the player can reach the ball with his or her
hands.
6.6. When players are in possession of the ball they may be either hand tackled (pushed with one hand on their shoulder) or kayak tackled (the attacking boat pushes their boats). Except the goalkeeper who can never be touched even indirectly. A goal keeper is the person under the goal who has their paddle extended vertically from their boat guarding the goal cage.
SEE PICTURE TO THE RIGHT.
6.7. After a goal is scored, the ball is started from the center.
6.8. When a foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting, a goal-penalty-shot is awarded. It must be taken from 6 meter line at an undefended goal. All other players must be behind the half-court line.
6.9. The ball is not allowed to rest on the kayak (i.e. you can't paddle with it sitting on your spraydeck.
6.10. It is not permitted to hit an opponents body with the paddle, your boat at any time.
6.11. There are different kinds of sanctions:
Green Card – Warning
Yellow Card - 2 minutes suspension
Red Card – Suspension for rest of game
Hold
Card above head. Other arm pointing to player. If necessary, indicate number of
player with fingers. Use clenched fist to indicate ten where a number 10 or
larger is required.
6.12. At the start of the game and at the start of the second half, each team lines up on its own goal line and the referee throws the ball into the center of playing area. One player from each team charges for the ball to gain possession of the ball.
6.13. It is considered unsportsmanlike behavior to: holding or moving another player's paddle out of his reach, or deliberately preventing the player from regaining possession of the paddle. Throwing the ball away, or deliberately obstructing the opposition, to delay a quick restart after an infringement.
7. Basic Tactics
Defensively teams will general employ a goalkeeper, who defends the goal with his or her paddle, but once a team has gained possession five players will move up the playing area to attack.
If a team loses possession in this vulnerable position this leaves the goal undefended and gives rise to goals being scored very fast.
Alternating teams may employ a man to man marking system, known as "5-out", as the name implies the team has no goal keeper and possession tends to change from one team to the other very quickly, giving some very exciting moments.
