Dodgeball Rules

THE TEAM

Teams will be made up of 6 players. However, a roster may hold as many as 10 players. The minimum a team may compete with is 4 players.

Coed teams must start all games with no more male then female players. Any combination of the following may be used, 3 female and 3 male or 4 female and 2 male, etc.

THE FIELD

The game may be played indoors or outdoors. The playing field shall be roughly a rectangle of 50 ft in length and 30 ft wide, divided into two (2) equal sections by a center boundary line.

THE BOUNDARIES

During play, all players must remain within boundary lines. Players may pass through their end-line only to retrieve stray balls. When retrieving a ball, the players must also immediately re-enter the playing field only through their end-line.

THE EQUIPMENT

The official ball used in tournament and league play will four 8 1/4" rubber-coated foam balls. Participants must wear shoes. In outdoor play, no metal cleats will be allowed.

THE GAME

Matches will begin with teams choosing sides. The higher seeded team will have their choice of side to begin the match. Teams will alternate sides following each game.

The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them "OUT". There are 3 ways to get a player out:

1. A player is out if they are hit below their shoulder’s by a ball thrown by any opposing LIVE team member. Headshots do NOT count as an out. HOWEVER, if a player ducks or takes a position where their head is in a position where their shoulders normally are, i.e. kneeling, diving, rolling, crouching, etc. and this action is clearly the cause for the player being hit above his shoulder, that player will be declared out.

2. Catching a ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground. A ball deflecting off a held ball and striking the holder is no longer a LIVE ball.

*A LIVE ball deflecting off Player "A" remains LIVE ONLY to Player "A" and may only be legally caught by Player "A". Therefore, if Player “B” catches a ball off of Player “A” , the only player that is eliminated is Player “A” – NOT the player who threw the ball.

3. An opposing player steps out of bounds or crosses the center line.

THE MATCH PLAY

The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. Best of 5 match play will be used. Meaning that the first team to win 3 out of 5 games will be declared the winner. HOWEVER, during league or tournametn round robin play, all 5 games will be played.

3-minute time limits have been established for each contest. If neither team has been eliminated at the end of the 3 minutes, the team with the greater number of players remaining will be declared the winner.

If both teams have equal number of players remaining after regulation, a 2-minute sudden-death overtime period will be played.

If the game is still tied, the next player eliminated will determine the winner.

THE RUSH

Prior to the beginning of the game, 2 balls will be placed on EACH side of the center.

Players will take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the official, teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. Teams may only retrieve the ball to the RIGHT of the center.

The retrieved ball must be passed back behind the ATTACK LINE which is located behind the center line, BEFORE any ball may be thrown at the opposition

A FALSE START will be called if players cross their end line prior to the officials signal to start the game. RESULT: Play will be stopped and one of your balls will be placed on your opponents side giving them 3 balls to start play. Another infraction and the remaining ball is placed over there as well.

THE STALLING AND 5-SECOND VIOLATION

A team TRAILING during a regulation game must be given the opportunity to eliminate an opposing player. This requires a ball to be at the disposal of the trailing team.

It is illegal for any leading team to control all the balls for more then 5-seconds in this situation. Therefore, the controlling team must make a legitimate effort to get at least one ball across the ATTACK LINE and into the opponent's back court. This DOES NOT include throwing a ball over and through an opponent’s end-line.

Penalty for a 5-Second Violation results in stoppage of play while one of the colored balls will be given to the opposing team and play will continue with "balls in hand".

THE RULE ENFORCEMENT

Rules will be enforced primarily by the "honor system". Players will be expected to rule whether or not a hit was legal or whether they were legally eliminated. All contests will be supervised by a field monitor. The field monitor’s responsibility will be to rule on any situation in which teams cannot agree. THE FIELD MONITOR’S DECISION IS FINAL – NO EXCEPTIONS.

THE PROTESTS

Protests will only be accepted in cases involving use of an ineligible player. Protests of judgment calls will not be accepted.

THE CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game.
2. Respect the integrity and judgment of officials and staff.
3. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match whether in victory or defeat.
4. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control.
5. Do not taunt or bait opponents and refrain from using foul or abusive language.

ZERO TOLERANCE
If you verbally threaten another player, you may be removed from the event. If you throw a punch, you WILL be removed from the event and a $50 fine WILL be assessed. No refunds will be given...period. It doesn't matter if you were punched first, or threatened. If there is an incident, you must immediately find a staff member and report the issue. We have no room for players who lack self control at these events.