Rules for Dodgeball
THE TEAM
Teams are made up of 6 – 10 players with a 6 players on the court (minimum of 2 girls). Remaining players are substitutes and can only enter the game in between games or due to injury.
THE FIELD
The gym will be sectioned into 2 courts prior to game play. At the end of the session, we will have a big game where all the teams from court 1 will play all the teams from court 2 using the entire gym with 12 balls.
BOUNDARIES
During play, all players must remain within the boundary lines (blue tape). A player may step on the boundary line, but may not step over or place any limp on the outside of the boundary surface. Stray balls may only be retrieve by referees, spectators or players that are out of game play.
Exception: The only time a player can cross the boundary completely is during the opening rush.
THE GAME
The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players. This can be done by either hitting the opponent with a live ball or catching a live ball thrown by the opponent.
A ball is live when:
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it has been activated after the opening rush by touching the wall
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it has been thrown by a player and has not touched the floor, the ground, the wall, another ball and/or another player
A ball is dead when:
THE OPENING RUSH
Dodgeballs are placed along the center line with 3 assigned to each team initially (3 balls on the right side while facing the center line). All 6 players will start by touching the wall at the end zone. The referee will start the game by counting down “3, 2, 1 Dodgeball”. Teams may only retrieve the 3 balls they are assigned. All 3 balls must touch the wall to ACTIVATE the ball to become a live ball before it can be legally thrown.
ELIMINATING A PLAYER
A player is eliminated from the game once he/she has been hit by a live ball. A players hair and clothing are still considered part of the game. Head shots are frowned upon.
Once a live ball is thrown, an opposing player may attempt to catch the ball in order to eliminate the ball thrower from the game.
If a player catches a ball with the assist of the floor, wall and/or another player, they are considered eliminated.
If a live ball is thrown at the opposing player, and knocks the ball out of his/her hand, the opposing player is eliminated.
A player is also eliminated if he/she steps completely out of bounds. See Boundaries.
If a player re-enters the game (after a successful catch by their teammate), and touches a non-throwing ball before touching the wall to activate themselves, that player is out.
Once the player is eliminated, he/she will leave the court with 1 or both arms in the air as an indication of surrender. The player will line up beside the referee in the middle of the 2 courts. The player can re-enter the game ONLY IF one of their team mates catches a ball. Then the player that is re-entering the game must touch the wall to activate themselves before touching a ball. First out first in rule applies.
CATCHING A BALL
If a live ball is caught by the opposing team, the ball thrower is eliminated while the opposing team regains a player that was previously out. If the team has all 6 members alive, there is no advantage to bring in a 7th player.
If a ball is thrown and is caught off a deflection of the wall, floor and/or another player, the ball thrower is NOT eliminated.
If a live ball is thrown and the catcher deflects the ball in the air and then catches before the ball touches the floor, wall or another player, the ball thrower is eliminated
If a live ball is thrown and the catcher deflects the ball in the air and the ball touches the wall, floor and/or another player, the catcher is eliminated
If a live ball is thrown and the catcher catches the ball with the assist of the floor, wall, and/or another player, the catcher is considered eliminated.
DEFLECTIONS
If a live ball is deflected by the opposing player with a ball in their hand(s) and ricochet into their own body, they are considered eliminated.
If a live ball is deflected by the opposing player with a ball in their hand(s) and ricochet into another teammate, they are not eliminated.
If a player tries to deflect a ball thrown at them with a ball in their own hands and he/she drops the ball after, he/she is eliminated
GAME PLAY
The first team to eliminate all opposing players will be the declared winner. A referee at any time can implement a 10 sec count down on a player holding a ball. After the 10 sec countdown has been issued and the player is still holding a ball, the ball is considered to be a dead ball and he/she must roll the ball over to the other team. Once a match is over, the teams will switch sides and play a second game.
During the playoffs, each team will play best of 3 games with a double elimination format. If a team loses 2 matches, they are out of the race for the championship title. Semifinal and championship matches will play best of 5 games.
SCORING
Each win equals 2 points. A loss is 0 points.
At the end of the game, teams are responsible to report/record their own team score. Failure to do so can result in a default loss. If both teams do not have a recorded score, the game will be recorded as a tie.
SUDDEN DEATH
Once there is 1 player from each team remaining, the referee will initiate a 10 sec countdown. If the players can not successfully eliminate the last player within the 10 sec time frame, a sudden death match will occur. In sudden death, each player will start in their own end zone touching the wall while holding 2 balls each. The remaining 2 balls will be placed on the center line and is free for either player to use. During sudden death, the center line does not exist which allows both players to run freely within the sidelines. First player to knock out their opponent wins the match..
RULE ENFORCEMENT
During game play, the referee makes majority of the calls. Referees ARE ALWAYS CORRECT. Please do not argue with the referees as they’re decisions are final. Any discrepancies can be discussed after the game with a Sport604 official.
A player is expected to call themselves out of the game (honor system) as referees may not always catch every play.
At the end of every game, teams will congratulate each other by shaking hands.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Sports604 does not tolerate any fighting. Any altercations will result in expulsion of Sports604 leagues.