Match Play/Format
- Matches start as scheduled (check schedule for exact start times) so please arrive 10 minutes early to the gym to change, warm up and stretch. Each match can last as long as the 55-minute time slot or until the first team makes it to 10 points (see Point No. 3).
- A single game within the match is over and a team has won a point when it has eliminated the other team.
- Each game is worth one point. The first team to 10 points is the winner of the match no matter how much time is remaining. If neither team has scored 10 points at the end of the allotted time the score after their final regulation game is considered final and the winner is the team with the most points.
- If the two teams have the same number of points after the 55 minutes is up, then a sudden- death overtime will declare the winner. The first team to lose a player for any reason loses the game and match.
- Teams field eight players for each game. Teams can have additional players on their roster but only 8 players on the court at the start of the game. Extra players rotate into play.
- A team must be able to field at least six players for the game to count. A default will occur if a team is not able to field that number of players within 10 minutes of the official start time (though please still split up and play for fun). A score of 10-0 will be recorded in that instance. The two team captains can also choose to waive a default and make the games count before the start of play, but those scores will then count, win-or-lose.
Boundaries:
- Boundaries will be clearly marked when you arrive at the court. Anywhere outside the boundary is out of bounds and players are eliminated if they go fully out of bounds or touch/cross the center line.
- **Players may reach over the centerline and the dead players queue to retrieve a ball with their hands if their feet stay in bounds. They are still in play and able to be hit while trying to reach out of bounds for a ball.
General Rules:
- All eight players on each team start with foot on the rear wall of the playing zone on their side of the court. Players that are out stay off the court, cheer their team heartily from the sidelines, and help roll balls into play on the side they would likely end up. If you are not playing, do not hold onto the balls and try to throw them to your teammates. Just re- direct/roll them into the court on whichever side the ball would likely end up on.
- Each team’s coach also provides their own referee standing near the center line on their side of the court and helping to call “outs” against their own team only. They are only to suggest a potential missed call to the other team’s referee but never to yell at the opposing side.
- A coordinator or one of the spare players starts each game on the sidelines of center court by making sure both teams are ready before dropping their hand and yelling: “DODGEBALL!” Please be clear and decisive in starting the games.
- Once the game is started each team sends as many runners as they wish to retrieve any or all the three balls placed along THEIR SIDE OF THE CENTERLINE. A player is out if he/she grabs a ball off the cone from the opponents’ side of the centerline. (However, the opening rush is the one time where players may get away with stepping on the centerline).
- Balls can only be thrown once they have traveled back behind the “attack” line. All balls must go back behind the “attack” line before they can be thrown and count as a live ball. Once the ball has passed behind the “attack line,” players can throw the balls from any part of their court. Only the ball must travel back behind the line, not necessarily the player with the ball (i.e. you can toss it back to a teammate).
- All games are self-officiated with coaches calling their own fouls and outs. Coaches are responsible for making sure their own teams follow the rules and make the correct calls. Staff will be on hand to oversee games but will require some help as it is difficult to see all the action.
- Teammates can pass balls back and forth to each other without threat of being eliminated, should they drop the toss. Those are considered dead balls until thrown across center.
- A ball is considered “live” when it is thrown in an attacking manner across the centerline. A ball is still “live” and can eliminate players when it hits a body and/or a ball. Therefore, any player hit by a “live” ball that has deflected off a teammate, or another ball, is eliminated.
- A ball is considered “dead” as soon as it hits a wall, ceiling, floor, or any other obstacle around the court. A player cannot be eliminated by a dead ball.
- All players who get eliminated are to immediately raise their hands to acknowledge the hit and retreat to the “dead zone” which is typically an overturned bench or hockey net placed in a corner.
- An eliminated player can only return to play when an opponents’ throw is caught. In this instance, the first player eliminated is the first back on so it’s a good idea to line up in that order in the dead zone.
- Players cannot kick the ball, and anyone caught damaging a ball or gym property could be suspended from play at any point and will be held liable.
- Please do not stockpile balls on your side of the court. Balls should be used to attack opponents to speed up the pace of play.
- **Once a game is down to 1-on-1, the teams’ referees should count out 30 seconds. If neither player eliminates the other before “30 Seconds” is finished and yelled out the centerline disappears, and the players can cross center to hit each other with a ball.
- Clean, Non-Marking Shoes – Please check to make sure you bring a pair of clean, non- marking shoes to each game. Teams are responsible for cleaning up their side of the floor after their match is done.
- Damages -- Players will be held liable for any damage they are responsible for at the facilities
Elimination:
- A player struck by a “live” ball thrown by an opponent is eliminated. And yes, head shots count as they don’t typically hurt.
- A player can also catch an opponent’s throw in the air (before it becomes “dead”), thereby eliminating the thrower and allowing one of the catcher’s eliminated teammates to return to action. First off is first back on.
- A thrown ball that deflects off one player and hits another before hitting the ground successfully knocks out both opponents. However, if it hits an opponent and then is caught by another opponent before it hits the ground, it is still “live” and considered a caught ball. The catcher and his teammate are safe, another eliminated team mate can come back on the floor, and the thrower is out.
- Players can use a dodgeball to safely deflect away opponents’ throws. However, if their own ball is knocked out of their hands to the ground by the throw, they are eliminated.
- A deflected ball is still “live” and if it hits the deflector anywhere other than the fingers they are out. If the ball continues to hit a teammate, the teammate is out. If that ball is caught, the rules of a caught ball are used.
- Players can only hold a ball for a maximum of 10 seconds before it must be thrown. Holding onto a ball for longer than that can result in elimination (players cannot just put the ball down, bounce it, or exchange balls to reset the 10 seconds). Balls must be thrown forward in an attacking manner not just bounced or rolled back over half for the other team to throw.
- Players can only be in possession of one ball at any given time. If they have more in their possession (i.e. being held in their hand or arm) they are eliminated.
Rough Play
Dodgeball is an extremely fun and social sport to play. Physical exchanges between players will not be tolerated, and neither will any other abusive behavior.
