Boundaries

• During play, all players must remain within boundary lines.
• Players may pass through their end-line only to retrieve stray balls. A stray ball is a dead ball that has not been picked up and is lying on the ground.
• When retrieving a ball, the play must also immediately re-enter the playing field only through their end-line. A player not immediately re-entering the playing area may be declared out. A player may be handed a ball from out of bounds, provided the player receiving the ball remains completely within their team’s field boundary. Players may not be handed a ball while standing out of bounds.
• A player shall not:
  • Have any part of their body contact the playing surface over a sideline.
  • Exit or re-enter the field through the sideline.
  • Leave the playing field (sideline or end line) to avoid being hit by or attempt to catch a ball.
  • Have any part of their body cross over the centerline and contact the ground on their opponents’ side of the court. A player may, without penalty, step ON the centerline, but cannot cross over the line. The exception: During the “Opening Rush,” many players cross the centerline. Officials should refrain from calling players OUT at this time unless a definite advantage is gained by the action.
  • Throw a ball while jumping in the air and land outside of their boundaries. If a ball is thrown while the player is in the air, the player must land within their boundaries, or the ball is declared a dead ball, and any hit or catch of the ball does not count. The throwing player is called out for crossing a boundary.
• Penalty for violations of above: Player declared out.
  • Out Players shall not stand behind the end line, so to avoid confusion about which players are in. This is enforced by the referees at their discretion.

Field Dimensions & Markings

• The game may be played indoors or outdoors.
• The playing field is rectangular surface free from obstructions at least 50 feet long and at least 23 feet wide. The ideal measurements are 60’ x 30’.
• The playing field shall be marked with sidelines, end lines, attack lines, and a center hash mark. With at least 3 feet (preferably 10 ft.) of unobstructed space outside boundaries. Attack Line is parallel to and 10ft. from centerline. It is recommended that the centerline is 8 inches wide.
• The restraining line is located 6 to 8 feet outside and parallels to each end-line. Only active players (those not “out”) are allowed to pass through the area between the end-line and restraining line.

Suspension

• Any player receiving two technical fouls in one day is suspended for the rest of that day’s games and is not be allowed to play the next time they are scheduled to play. A second technical foul is discussed with the player and their parents (if under age 18) before issued.

Technical Fouls

• Technical fouls may be given to any registered player at any time they are present at dodgeball events, whether they are playing or observing.
• Technical Fouls can be called for unsportsmanlike conduct as listed in section 2, or for any other reason deemed necessary by the League Coordinator. All technical fouls are being given by the League Coordinator, Supervisor, or anyone given authority by the former. Referees should bring the infraction to the attention of the League Coordinator as soon as possible. The League Coordinator then determines the appropriate action to be taken.
• A player may be warned before being given a technical foul, but warnings are not necessary.
• The penalty for the first technical foul consists of the following:
  • The offending player may not play in the next game of the match
  • The offending player’s team must start the next game with 5 players (or one player less than they are able if not all players are present)

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Unsportsmanlike conduct may include, but is not limited to:
  • Foul Language
  • Hits above the shoulders with intent to harm
  • Unnecessary roughness
  • Arguing with officials, volunteers, staff, participants, or fans
  • Abuse of the “Honor System”
  • Exhibiting extreme anger (throwing balls after getting out, etc.)
• Players are expected to show good sportsmanship whether they are playing or observing other teams play.

Game Ball

• The official ball used in tournament and league play is an 8¼” rubber-coated foam ball.
• The number of balls used in a regulation game is 6.

Uniforms

• Participants must wear shoes, shirts, and shorts or pants.
• All clothes are considered part of the player’s body.

Advantage & Disadvantage

It is important to know the intent and purpose of a rule. A team and player should not be given an advantage, not intended by a rule. Conversely, a team and player should not be placed at a disadvantage not intended by a rule.

Beginning the Game

Prior to beginning a game, an equal number of dodgeballs are placed along the center line on each side of the center hash mark. A standard game consists of 6 balls, 3 on each side of the hash mark. Teams may position the balls in any way they choose.

Players then 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 balls placed to the right (as they face the centerline) of the center hash mark. If balls remain on the centerline after a team has retrieved and moved their balls beyond the attack line, those balls may be retrieved by the opposing team after five seconds (as counted by the Referee).

False Start is called if players cross their end line prior to the official’s signal to start the game. Result: Play is stopped and one ball from the offending team’s side is moved to the opponent’s side of the hash mark. Repeat for each infraction.

Blocking

A player may block a thrown ball with a ball being held, provided the holder does not lose control of the held ball as a result of the contact with the thrown ball.

• The held ball does not need to strike the ground to cause the holder to be out, only be knocked loose of the holder’s grip. Even if the holder regains control of the held ball, they are still out. Any actions by the holder after the initial loss of control are ignored.
• A player may drop the ball with which they have blocked in order to catch a deflected ball. Officials must be sure to recognize the difference between a loose ball and an intentionally dropped ball. A loose or dropped ball contacting a live ball causes it to become dead.

Number Of Players

Dodgeball is played by two teams, each made up of six players. Teams are made up of 6 to 10 players. Each game begins with 6 players competing on a side; others are available as substitutes.

Object

The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them out.

Outs

An out is scored by:

• Hitting an opposing player with a live thrown ball
• Catching a live ball thrown by your opponent.
• Causing an opponent to lose control of a held ball as a result of contact by a thrown live ball. Even if the player regains control of the ball before it strikes the ground, the player is still out (Usually occurs when a held ball is being used to block a thrown ball)
• An opposing player stepping out of bounds. (see Rule 1, Section 3)

Live (def.): A thrown ball that strikes or is caught by an opposing player without or before contacting the ground, another player, a non-held ball, official or other objects.

Head hits count as a hit, though any player determined to be purpose-fully aiming at other players’ heads be given a technical foul.

A live ball deflecting off a held ball or striking the holder remains live only to the holder. Following the deflection or striking of the holder,

• The holder legally catches the live ball, or
• The live ball becomes dead by contacting the ground, another player, a non-held ball or ball held by another player, official, or other objects

• Result: In (a), the thrower is out. In (b), the holder is out.

A live ball deflecting off the body of Player “A” remains live only to Player “A”. If “A” legally catches the deflected ball, the thrower is out. Team-mates of “A” may not legally catch the deflected ball. In fact, touching of the deflected ball by another player causes it to become dead. Once a player is out, they must drop any balls in hand and exit the playing field at the nearest sideline. If an out player intentionally contacts a live ball before exiting the playing field, the opponents are awarded a free throw.

Referees

The primary responsibility of a referee is to:

• signal the start and end of games
• signal timeouts
• keep time
• track eligible players

The secondary responsibility of a referee is to:

•  the rule in cases where teams cannot agree

Because of this, referees must attempt to observe all the action on the court. Although it may not be possible to see all questionable plays, the referee should allow teams to reach a decision, before making an official “call.” Even if a referee clearly observes a player not going out after being legally hit or stepping out of bounds, they must resist making a call until an official request is made. (Referees who observe abuse of the honor system may recommend a technical foul on a player to the league coordinator). When a player requests that a referee makes a call, play should be stopped and the referee should make one of three calls:

• The player is out,
• The player is not out, or
• Didn’t see the play – play on.

Regardless of the call, play continues with no further discussion of the play or call.

Play continues until the monitor’s signal. A player’s request does not stop play – the referee’s signal does.

All contests are supervised by a referee. Rules are enforced primarily by the honor system. Players are expected to rule whether or not a hit was legal or whether they were legally eliminated. Exception: During tournament play, All Semi-Final and Final round matches are officiated by no less than 2 officials. These officials rule in all situations.

Rules

Based on the National Amateur Dodgeball Association (NADA) Rules. The purpose of the rules is to create a balance of play; provide reasonable safety and protection; and create an atmosphere of sportsmanship and fair play without unduly limiting freedom of action of an individual or team play.

Sides

The Referees determine the side each team starts on. Teams alternate sides following each game.

Substitutes

Substitutes may enter the game only during time-outs, or in the case of injury.

If the team in question has less than 7 players, they may use a registered substitute. All registered substitutes must meet the following criteria:

• The player must be in the same or below age/grade as the division for which they wish to play.
• The team on which the registered substitute wishes to play must agree to use this player as a substitute.
• Substitutes cannot be used if there are 7 or more registered players present for that team.
• Substitutes can only sub for a team for a max of 3 weeks.

Tournament Format

• League (time permitting) concludes with a final tournament.
• The tournament consists of either Single-Elimination or Double-Elimination brackets (depending on time constraints).
• The seeding of the brackets is determined by the standings using the league scores.
• Matches are the best of 5 series of games. The team with more players at the end of each game is the winner of that game.
• Each division has one overall winning team.

Non-Attendance

In some cases, it is not possible for some players to be present at a match. In such an instance, the following rules are used:

• If both teams have at least 6 registered players present, no action is necessary and all games continue as scheduled.
• If one or both teams have 3 to 6 registered players, play continues as scheduled. Substitutes can be used for the team(s) with less than 6 players (see Section 2).
• If just one team has 2 or fewer registered players present for a match, the games played by both teams do not count towards their overall score (including individual statistics). In this instance, referees should divide teams into equal numbers and play practice games for the allotted time.

Games are not rescheduled.

Points scored as follows:

• The overall score is the sum of The average number of games won and the average number of points scored per game

A point is awarded for each player still in at the end of each game, no matter if the game is won or not. If a game finishes in overtime, the winning team receives one point, and the losing team receives zero points.

Declaring a Winner

• The team with the greater number of players remaining at the end of regulation time is the winner of that game. If an equal number of players remain after regulation play, a “sudden death” style overtime is played.

Disagreement

• Only team captains are to discuss a disagreement with an official.

Protests

• Protests are only accepted in cases involving the use of an ineligible player.
• Protests of judgment calls are not accepted.

Only the Referee’s whistle starts and stops the clock.

Overtime

• The first overtime period of any game begins with 3 players from each team. If less than three players were standing at the end of regulation, players must be added. The players starting the first overtime may be any rostered players, not necessarily those left after regulation.
• Overtime consists of a one-minute period where the first team to get an opposing player out declared the winner.
• At the end of the one minute period, if no player has been legally hit out, another one minute period is played, with the end line moved to the attack line. If no player is hit out at the end of the second period, another player is added to each team and a third one minute period played. If needed, more periods can be added, adding a player to each team for each period until a winner is reached.
• The winner of overtime receives one point, the loser receiving 0 points.

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 the leading team to control all the balls for more than 5 seconds. If the leading team controls all the balls (i.e. all balls are located on their side of the centerline) they must make a legitimate effort to get at least one ball across the attack line and into the opponent’s backcourt. If this is not done within 5 seconds, a “5- second violation” is called.
• A team may avoid a 5-second violation by throwing or rolling a ball into the opponent’s backcourt. This does not include throwing a ball over and through an opponent’s end line.
• Only a referee may call a 5-second violation.
• Penalty for 5-second violations:
  • First Violation
    Stoppage of play and balls are divided evenly between the teams. Play continues with balls in hand.
  • Second Violation
    Free throw for the opposing team. A penalty in which one player is allowed an unobstructed throw at their opponents without risk of elimination. This is possible because a caught free throw does not result in an out for the thrower.
  • Third Violation
    Ejection of one player from the offending team.
• The 5-second count ceases when in the opinion of the official, a ball is at the disposal of the trailing team.
• A ball may be considered at a team’s disposal without being secured if, in the opinion of the official, players of the trailing team are not making a legitimate effort to do so.

Timeouts

• Each team is allowed one 20-second timeout per game.
• The 5-minute time limit has been established for each game.
• All players are in jeopardy until the referee recognizes and signals, the beginning of a timeout or end of regulation time. Exception: All live balls in flight at the time of an official’s signal (to end regulation time or to begin a timeout) remain to live, and may eliminate an opponent until they become dead.
• During timeouts, teams may substitute players. Substitutes may be players who did not start the game or players who wish to re-enter after having been declared out. Following the timeout, play resumes with the same number of players and balls on each side when a timeout was granted.