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Dodgeball Rules
Dodgeball Code of Conduct and Rules
1. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game and honor system.
2. Respect the integrity and judgement of game officials and staff.
3. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match.
4. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self control.
5. Do not taunt or bait opponents. Refrain from using foul or abusive language.
Team
- Teams will consist of 6‐10 players. Each game begins with 6 players competing on a side. The additional players can be used for future games. No substitutions during play except for injury or at the referees discretion.
Equipment
- The official ball used in tournament and league play will be an 8 ¼ inch rubber‐coated ball.
- The number of balls used in a regulation game is 6.
- Participants must wear shoes, shirts and shorts/pants.
- All clothes/uniforms are considered part of the player’s body.
Game Play
- The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them out. (An out is scored by a. hitting and opposing player with a live thrown ball below the shoulders* If a player ducks or takes a position with their head below where their shoulders would normally be when standing, ie crouching, kneeling, sitting, diving, rolling or laying, and this clearly is the cause for the player being hit above the shoulders, the player is out and the throw is considered legal. b. catching a live ball thrown by your opponent, c. causing an opponent to drop a held ball as a result of contact by a thrown live ball, d. and opposing player stepping out of the netted area.
Definition of LIVE: A thrown ball that strikes or is caught by an opposing player without/before contacting the ground, another player, a non held ball, official or other object. - A player may block a thrown ball with a ball being held, provided the holder does not drop the ball to the ground as a result of the contact with the thrown ball. If the ball is dropped then the player who dropped the ball is out. A player may drop the ball they have blocked in order to catch a deflected ball. Officials must be sure to recognize the difference between a loose ball and an intentionally dropped ball. A loose or dropped ball contacting a live ball causes it to become dead.
- A live ball deflecting off a held ball and or striking the holder remains live only to the holder. Following the deflection/striking of the holder, a. the holder legally catches the live ball, or b. the live ball becomes dead by contacting the ground, another player, a non‐held ball or ball held by another player, official or other object. In a. the thrower is out. In b, the holder is out.
- A live ball deflecting off the body of Player A remains live only to player A. If A legally catches the deflected ball, the thrower is out. Teammates of A may not legally catch the deflected ball. In fact, touching of the deflected ball by another player causes it to become dead.
- Once a player is out, they must drop any balls in hand and exit the playing area immediately.
Timing
- A 2:30 time limit has been established for each game. If time becomes an issue for tournament organizers then the right is reserved to change the time limit for each game.
- Only the officials whistle starts and stops the clock.
- All players are in jeopardy until the official recognizes and signals the end of regulation time.
- All live balls in flight at time of an officials signal to end regulation time remain live, and may eliminate an opponent, until they become dead.
Beginning The Game
- Prior to beginning a game, an equal number of dodgeballs are placed along the center line on each side of the center hash mark. A standard game consists of 6 balls, 3 on each side of the hash mark.
- Players then take a position at the back of the court. One hand on the back net.
- Following the whistle blow teams may approach the center‐line to retrieve the balls.
- A false start will be called if player let go of the back net prior to the officials signal to start the game. The game will be restarted.
Opening Rush Rule
- Each ball retrieved at the opening rush must first be taken beyond the attack line and into the team’s backcourt before it may legally be thrown at an opponent.
Declaring a Winner
- The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner.
- If neither team has been eliminated at the end of regulation, the team with the greater number of remaining players will be declared the winner.
- If an equal number of players remain after regulation play, a sudden death overtime will be played.
Overtime
- All balls will be taken to the center line.
- Only the remaining players from the end of regulation should be on the court. No substitutions.
- The players will take a position at the back of the court with a hand on the net. The official will blow the whistle to begin sudden death.
- Players will approach the line just as though a new game was beginning.
- The time limit is 1 minute.
- The first team to lose a player loses the game.
- If at the end of 1 minute no player has been eliminated then the game is a tie. Ties will receive ½ point.
Stalling and 5‐Second Violation
- A team trailing during a regulation game must be given the opportunity to eliminate and opposing player. This requires a ball to be at the disposal of the trailing team.
- It is illegal for the leading team to control all the balls for more than 5 seconds. If the leading team controls all the balls they must make a legitimate effort to get at least one ball across the attack line and into the opponent’s backcourt. If this is not done within5 seconds, a violation will be called. A team may avoid a 5 second violation by throwing or rolling a ball into the opponent’s backcourt.
- Penalty for 5 second violation will be stoppage of play and balls will be divided evenly between the teams. Play will continue with “ball in hand”.
- The 5 second count will cease when, in the opinion of the official, a ball is at the disposal of the trailing team.
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