This document is a basic
guide to some different types of tactics that can be used by teams playing canoe
polo. It is not necessarily comprehensive or correct! I have used my own naming for the
various tactics and other people may know the tactics described below by other
names. If you have spotted any errors or omissions then feel free to e-mail me,
(Paddy Wilkinson), with your
comments.
A team may choose to use one tactic only
but most teams use a combination of some of these tactics described below. I have seen foreign teams adopt a ‘5
player zone’ immediately they lose possession of the ball, which seems a bit
negative and a boring way to play, (certainly boring for the spectator!).
Good teams will be able to
adjust the tactics during a game (e.g. switch from ‘3 man zone’ to ‘5 out’ if
they need to get possession of the ball towards the end of a game).
A team that is well
organised will beat a team of individually better players that do not work as a
team.
A team would be advised to
play different tactics against different teams. If playing against a ‘better’
team use a more defensive tactic (e.g. 5 player zone in defence). If playing
against a ‘weaker’ team then use a more aggressive tactic (e.g. ‘5
out’).
The diagrams in following
sections may only be displayed correctly with newer versions of Windows or with
certain web browsers.