Dodgeball Rules

Game Play

• Each team should start the game with 8 players; a minimum of 3 need to be women.

• Teams that don't have the minimum amount of women will have to play short minus the amount of missing women.

• Teams can have more than 8 players on a team. The team can start with a maximum of 8 people (3 woman minimum) on the court and the rest can sub in the next match. At no point in the game may a team have more than 8 people on the court.

• Tournament- A round will be played best of 3. First to 2 wins moves on to the next road while the loser plays in the losers bracket. Each game counts separately in the standings and is independent of the other games.

• Each team shall designate a player as the field captain. This person is the only player who can communicate with the referee.

• During the regular season it is ok for team captains to ask players from other teams to sub or fill in open slots on game day, to avoid forfeit. In the playoffs, a player can only participate and play for one team.  If a player is found playing on two or more teams in the playoffs all games are subject to forfeit.

• Each game will be played under the "honor's system".  This means that games are to be self-officiated. If you know you are out, please go to jail!

• Any dispute that cannot be resolved will be ruled over by the court monitor.

• The court monitor's ruling is final.

• Be responsible for your actions and maintain self control.

Rules

• Games will be played on a standard sized basketball or volleyball court.

• 6 balls will be used. The official will place 3 balls at the off-sides/center line for each team. Players must start behind their own baseline before the start of play. After collecting a ball, players must retreat to middle white line before balls are live.

• Anyone can possess and throw any of the six balls that are in play. 

• Teams and players are confined to the centerline, sidelines and end line of the basketball court area.

• Players may intentionally leave the playing area on their own side of the playing floor to retrieve a ball. If a player goes out of bounds to avoid getting out, they will be called out.

• The centerline is the offside line. When throwing the ball, a player must not touch the line when throwing (and including follow through). If the match is tied at the end of 5 minutes, the opposing white line (used for volleyball) becomes the offside line for sudden death.

• Players will be called out if a thrown ball, not a kicked ball, hits them on the fly.

• If a player unintentionally or intentionally throws a ball and the ball hits an opposing player in the head the player who threw the ball is out. If a player ducks or is on the ground and is hit in the head, the player hit will be called out. Balls must be thrown below the shoulders.

• Players will be called out if a ball they throw is caught on the fly.

• Deflections off the floor or the official do not count as an out if caught. Deflections off of a wall, court dividers, rafters, bleachers, and hoop do not count as an out if caught. Deflections off a teammate do count, and both players are out.

• Deflections off of a player that then hit the wall result in the defending player out regardless if the ball is caught or not. The ball is dead as if it hit the floor once it hits the wall.

• If a ball hits another ball, which a player has in their possession, it does not make either player out. If the ball is dropped as a result of contact from the thrown ball, then the player who drops the ball is out. If a player partially blocks a thrown ball and the ball makes contact with the person's body, he/she is out (hands and wrists are considered part of the ball).

• If a ball hits another ball, which a player has in their possession and that ball is caught by a teammate, the person who threw the ball is out. If a ball hits another ball, which a player has in their possession and that ball hits a teammate, the person who was hit is out.

• If a player throws a ball and it deflects off an opposing player; as long as the ball is caught prior to being called dead (hits the floor, referee, wall, or other) the player who threw the ball is out.  

• If a player catches an opponent's ball, the first teammate to go out, will then be allowed to come back into the game. If a team has started with players in jail (meaning they are playing with more than 8 total players), they may not bring someone in for a catch if they are at full strength. Catches may not be "saved" until someone on their team gets out in this instance either.

• If a player is stalling, or making no attempt to play a ball they may be called out (approximately 10 seconds). The referee may provide a 5 second warning call to a player prior to calling them out.  The referee does not have to provide the 5 second warning in order call players out.  

• Once a player is out, they must immediately leave the floor, raise their hand to show that they are out, and go to jail. Players who have been called out cannot retrieve stray balls for their teammates, or that ball will be given to the other team.