Dodgeball is a game in which players try to hit other players with balls and avoid being hit. There are many variations of the game but generally the main objective of each team is to eliminate all members of the opposing team by hitting them with thrown balls, catching a ball thrown by a member of the opposing team, or forcing them to move outside the court boundaries when a ball is thrown at them.
Rules
- Each team should start the game with 6 players; a minimum of 5 is needed to avoid a forfeit.
- A player may play on only one team per dodgeball season.
- A match consists of a best of 5 games. Each game will last a maximum of 7 minutes.
- Each team gets one 30 second timeout per game.
- Teams and players are confined to the centerline, sidelines and end line of the court.
- The game begins by placing the dodge balls along the center line. Players will take their stance along the end line and can run and retrieve the dodge balls when the referee blows the whistle. Balls then have to be taken behind the attack line before they can be thrown.
- Players may intentionally leave the playing area on their own side of the playing floor to retrieve a ball. If a player goes out of bounds to avoid getting out, they will be called out.
- Players will be called out if a thrown ball, not a kicked ball, hits them on the fly. If a player ducks or is on the ground and is hit on the head, the player will be called out. Balls must be thrown below the shoulders.
- Players will be called out if a ball they throw is caught on the fly.
- Deflections off the court, wall, nets or official do not count as an out if caught. Deflections off a teammate do count and both players are out.
- If a ball hits another ball, which the player has in their possession, it does not make either player out. If the ball is dropped as a result of contact from the thrown ball, then the player who drops the ball is out.
- If a ball hits another ball, which a player has in their possession and that ball is caught by their teammate, the person who threw the ball is out. If a ball hits another ball, which a player has in their possession and that ball hits a teammate, the person who was hit is out. If a player is stalling or making no attempt to play a ball they may be called out.
- Once a player is out, they must immediately leave the floor and sit or stand behind their own baseline. Players who have been called out cannot retrieve stray balls for teammates, or that ball will be given to the other team.
- Once the whistle is blown all action will stop and play will be reset. Teams will keep the same number of balls they had prior to the whistle being blown.
- In the event of tie, 3 minute sudden death overtime, involving only those players still active at the end of regulation will be played. The team to eliminate one opponent first will be the winner.
Ways to win
- Eliminate your entire opposing team before time is up.
- Have more active (on court) players when time is up, than your opponent