Dodgeball Rules

WHAT IS DODGEBALL?
Dodgeball is a game in which players on two teams try to throw balls at each other while avoiding being hit
themselves. In North America, the game is typically played among children 6-12 in elementary school. However,
internationally, the sport has also emerged as a popular middle school, high school and college sport and in
some countries Universities also play the sport. It is also popular in informal settings and is often played on a
playground, community or in organized recreational leagues.
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.
Objective
The objective of dodgeball is to eliminate all players of the opposing team by throwing one of four game balls
and hitting the opposing player below the shoulders on the fly.
Starting the Game

Each team starts with one (1) ball and then there are two (2) balls evenly spread on the center line at the
beginning of each game. It is a sprint to the two (2) balls once the play begins. There is a five (5) second grace
period after the initial rush before balls can be thrown.
Each team member must start with one hand on their back wall. Play begins on the referees signal of Go and
Dodge after the five (5) second grace period after the initial rush.
Rules and Playing Procedure

1. There will be two (2) teams playing with nine (9) members each.
2. Six (6) members play the game. The other three (3) members act as receivers, people who chase the
balls the fall outside of the court line and throw them back to the players.
3. There is a seven (7) minute time limit.
4. Balls can only be thrown using the hands. Any other methods of throwing are not allowed.
5. Only the balls that are on the teams side of the court can be re-acquired.
6. The teams are responsible for calling out the fouls of the opposing teams.
Eliminating the opposing players

A player is out if:
1. They throw a ball that is caught by the other team.
2. They get hit by a ball thrown by the other team. (If the ball does bounce off an opposing player and is
then caught, the thrower will then be out. This is true even if a different player catches the ball. However,
if the ball bounces off another ball, the ball is dead.) Players may use the ball to block; however, if the
ball is knocked out of their hand while blocking, they will be out.
3. They hit another player above the shoulders.
4. They cross the center line.
A player is not out if:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Their ball is caught off the wall or ceiling.

They get hit above the shoulders.
They get hit by a ball that already bounced off the floor.
An opposing member of the team caught a ball that already bounced off the floor.
Dead Ball
A ball that hit any wall or ceiling is considered dead and is not back in play until someone has picked up the
balls and throws it at an opponent. A ball is also considered dead when it bounced of any surface. Balls that
bounced of other players are not considered dead.
OFF-Sides
The center line is the off-sides line. If any part of your foot or body touches the center line, you will be declared
out and thrown ball will be dead.
Stall Count
No player can hold the ball for longer than 5 seconds. Penalty: roll the ball gently to the other team. The
opposing team is responsible for calling the stall count. At this point, the player must roll the ball over or is out.
Resurrection
A dead player can be resurrected when a teammate catches a live ball without dropping it. The teammate may
then choose which player to resurrect, and the resurrected player starts at the end of his/her home court.
Point system
At the end of 10 minutes, the number of players left on the field will be counted. The team with the most players
surviving wins the match.
In case of a tie, each team gets one player per side and play a death match for 10 seconds. If this does not resolve
the tie, each player gets a ball with a third ball on the center line. The center line is dissolved, and the first player
to get the other player out wins.
Modifications
1. Instead of both teams starting with one ball each and having two balls spread on the center line, all of
the six (6) balls will be on the center line. Each team has to race the opposing team for the balls. (refer
to Starting the Game section)
2. Since well be playing on open court, balls that fall outside the court are considered dead. (refer to Out
of Bounds section)

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WHAT IS DODGEBALL?

Starting the Game

Rules and Playing Procedure

Eliminating the opposing players

Their ball is caught off the wall or ceiling.

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