66 - ILLEGAL KAYAK TACKLE

Signals 10 and 15 apply. Illegal Tackle & Free Shot. A kayak-tackle is a player manoeuvring their kayak against an opponent's kayak in an attempt to gain possession of the ball. The following kayak-tackles are illegal.

66.1. Any kayak-tackle that results in the tacklers kayak contacting the body of a player and/ significant contact between the tackler’s kayak and the head or body of an opposing player, or endangering a player. The player’s arm shall not be considered to be part of the body when any part of it is elevated away from the body.

Any kayak-tackle where the kayak comes in contact with the opponent’s spray deck following a legal tackle will not be penalised unless the player continues to tackle into the spray deck.

66.3. When the ball is no longer in control of either player, they may move off each others kayak by using their hands to perform a controlled action on the opponents kayak.

For guidance; the ball should be over 3m away before the players separate in this way.

66.2 and 66.3 (merged together) Any kayak-tackle where the kayak makes significant contact with the opponent’s spray deck or where the tackler continues to tackle into or over the spray deck. After a kayak tackle, when the ball is no longer in possession of either player, they may move off each others kayaks by using their hands in a controlled action.
This is to prevent players deliberately sliding up onto the spray deck of opponents to prevent them passing or shooting. Repeated offences should be sanctioned with a green card and if necessary a team warning if appropriate.

66.4. A player in possession of the ball who fails to control the bow of their kayak and also fails to avoid contact with the body of an opponent avoid significant contact between the bow of his kayak and the head or body of the opponent.

66.5. Any hard tackle to the side of the kayak if it is at angles between eighty (80) and hundred (100) degrees and by momentary contact. Any hard tackle, that results in significant contact to the side of the kayak, at an angle between eighty (80) and one hundred (100) degrees.

66.6. Tackling an opponent who is not within three (3) meters of the ball.

66.7. Tackling an opponent when the tackler is not competing for the ball.