THE OPENING RUSH Game begins by placing the dodgeballs along the center line. Six (6) balls on the center midcourt line. A minimum of Eight (8) people up to a maximum of Fifteen (15) on the court per team to start, at least one of which must be a woman. Teams may play with 6 players if necessary. Players then take a position behind their blue end line. Following a signal by the official, teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest. On the initial attack, teams must take the balls back behind the end line that they started behind to "clear" the ball. After the ball has been cleared, it can be thrown at the opposing team. THE GAME The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them "OUT". This may be done by: 1. Hitting an opposing player with a LIVE thrown ball below the shoulders (Clothing is considered part of the body). 2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground. 3. Deflections off the floors, walls or basketball backboards are considered "dead balls" and do not count. 4. Deflections off a teammate do count, and both players that are hit are out. 5. A ball that hits another ball, which a player has in their possession, without making contact with any body part, neither player is out. 6. A ball that hits another ball, which a player has in their possession and the ball is caught by their teammate, the person who threw it is out. 7. A ball that hits another ball, which a player has in their possession and hits their teammate, then hits the ground, the person who was hit is out. 8. A ball that hits another ball, which a player has in their possession and the player drops the ball or it is knocked out of their hands, that player is out. 9. A ball that is attempting to be caught or deflects off another teammate can be caught by any in bounds player of the "hit" team at any time resulting in the person that threw the ball = out.
SHOT CLOCK / STALLING Game will continue until 15 minutes have elapsed. Teams in possession of more than one ball per on-court player have 20 seconds to throw a ball. This same rule applies when there are equal numbers of players and balls on both sides of the court (3 players on each side, 3 balls on each side, for example). One warning will be given per player (or per team, whichever is applicable). Subsequent violations will result in a player being called "out". It's good to be strategic, but stalling is not a part of Dodgeball. It is the Ref's discretion to declare stalling. One warning will be given per player. Subsequent violations will result in the player being called "out".
ON THE SAFE SIDE 1. NO SHOTS ABOVE THE SHOULDERS. NO HEAD SHOTS. Anyone throwing a head shot, intentional or otherwise, will be considered "Out" and the person who was hit will stay in the game. 2. If you put two feet over the center hash at any time during the game you are out. 3. If you are holding a ball when you get "hit" out and retaliate by throwing the ball in your possession at the other team. This action results with that player sitting the next game of the match out.
BOUNDARIES 1. During play, all players must remain within the Blue boundary sidelines. Players may leave the boundaries to retrieve stray balls. 2. A ball thrown from outside the blue boundary is considered a dead ball. However, if it is caught, the person who threw it is out. 3. If you are retrieving a ball from outside the blue boundary and are hit with a "live" ball you are out. 4. Player that gets hit can catch their own deflection outside of the blue boundary and stay in the game. Teammates can only catch the deflection inside the blue boundary to keep the player in the game
SUBSTITUTIONS 1. Substitutions are allowed at the discretion of the referee.
KEEP IN MIND 1. Aggression will not be tolerated. Please keep it light-hearted and fun. Guys: try to take it easy on the ladies, ok? 2. The Referee has the final say on all rulings. 3. Please be honest. If you get hit, you are out. If you get hit and no one sees it, you are out. If you get hit in the forest and no one hears it, you are out. 4. MOST IMPORTANT RULE: Have fun and make new friends. The game may or may not go your way, but the beer is still cold and free afterwards!
