Rules

Terms

  • Live ball: A ball thrown by any player which has not come into contact with the ground or wall netting. Dead ball: A thrown ball becomes dead if it touches the floor or netting.
  • Catch: A successful catch is made when a liveball that has been thrown by the opposition is caught.
  • Trap is when a player catches a ball this is in contact with the ground or wall.
  • Out: A player is ‘out’ if they are hit by a live ball thrown by the opposition and do not catch it. A player is ‘out’ if they are hit by a rebounding ball that comes off a fellow teammate, or off another live ball. A player is also ‘out’ if any member of the opposition catches a live ball thrown by that player.
  • Head shots count as being hit, Please try to avoid hitting people in the head.
  • Block: A player may hold a ball and use it to ‘block’ balls thrown by the opposition and will not be called out if another ball hits the ball that they are holding. Note:a blocked ball is still live – until it hits the ground or wall.
  • If a blocked ball hits you or a teammate the ball is still live and you or your teammate are eliminated and must go off.
  • Set: The duration of eliminating 6 players of the opposing team Out. Each set is worth 1 point for the match.
  • Match: The contest between two opposing teams to accumulate the most number of sets/points within 50 minutes of play.

SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

All players will:

  • Understand and abide by the rules of the game and the honor system (detailed below),
  • Respect their opponent and congratulate them courteously after every match,
  • Be responsible for their own actions and maintain self-control at all times,
  • Avoid deliberately aiming their throws at any other player’s head,
  • Avoid jumping into, leaning on or pushing off of the divider
  • Refrain from taunting or sledging their opponents, and
  • Refrain from using foul or abusive language.
  • No intimidation tactics such as pointing, yelling, cursing or any other behavior viewed as intentional intimidation will be tolerated.

 

 

HONOUR SYSTEM

The game of dodgeball relies heavily on the honor system, i.e. self-regulation of the rules. Teams which repeatedly breach the honor system face expulsion from the league.

  • Eliminated players and team will themselves ensure that the first player eliminated is the first to return to the game in the event of a successful catch.

FIELD OF PLAY

  • The dodgeball court will consist of half an indoor Volleyball court. There will be a centerline down the middle of the court, and two attacklines running parallel either side of the centerline.
  • There will be one rectangular ‘bench’ area in each half for eliminated players.

EQUIPMENT

  • The official ball used in league play will be a 15cm diameter rubber-coated foam ball.
  • All players must wear closed shoes, no exceptions.
  • Participants must wear a top and shorts/pants without any sharp metal parts.
  • Sweatbands are recommended.
  • No jewelry of any kind may be worn during play. This includes necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, etc.

 

GAME RULES

  • All players must sign a registration form every season before playing their first game. The form outlines the league’s liability and sportsmanship policies. The form can be found on the website.
  • The aim of dodgeball is to eliminate the opposing players from the game by hitting them with a live ball, or by catching live balls that have been thrown by the opposition.
  • To start a game, each player must be touching their respective back wall with at least one foot.
  • teams will place 3 dodgeballs each along or close to the centerline – three on each side of the court. Teams will by yelling 3,2,1, Dodgeball, at which time players may rush to grab the three balls on their right hand side.
  • Players are permitted to cross the midline during the opening rush only.
  • Players must retreat and cross the attack line before making their first throw, or can pass balls back to teammates positioned behind the attack line. Two feet must be behind the attack line for a throw to be valid.
  • If a player catches a live ball thrown by the opposition, then the player who threw the ball is out. Additionally, an eliminated member of the catcher’s team may return to the field of play.
  • If a player is hit with a live ball and their teammate catches the live ball, the player who throw the live ball is eliminated.
  • If a Player is hit with a live ball and it hits another teammate. Both players or all players will be eliminated and can choose who sits first.
  • Players returning to the game must do so in the same order in which they were eliminated.
  • When returning to the field of play, eliminated players must enter the court from the beginning of the ‘bench’ area, closest to the wall.
  • Eliminated players must line up in order of elimination, starting at the beginning of the bench area for ease of return to the game.

(players must line up in order of elimination in the bench area)

  • When a player is ‘out’ they must raise their hand and leave the field of play immediately, without interfering with play in any way.
  • Any player intentionally throwing a ball at an opposition player whose hand is raised will be ‘out’.
  • Any player who crosses the midline during match play will be ‘out’.
  • Sacrifice is when a player purposely jumps over the line to get closer to the opponent to throw the ball. If they miss and land on the other side of the line they will be eliminated. If the thrower hit the opponent they both will be eliminated.

 

  • Players may pass the ball to team-mates.
  • If the player drops the ball while being passed both players are eliminated.
  • Players are not permitted to kick or step on the ball.
  • Players CAN NOT squeeze the balls
  • Players must not lift or support their team-mates in catching, throwing, etc.
  • Eliminated players must not interfere with or touch any balls while ‘out’.(please protect your self’s when walking off)
  • No team is allowed to have all 6 balls on their half of the court for more than 10 seconds. If a team has all the balls they must make a legitimate effort to get at least 1 of the balls across to the opponent’s half. The first violation of this rule will result in a stoppage of play and distribution of all 6 balls to the opposing team. Play will continue with balls at feet.
  • Players once you have picked up a ball you have approximately 10sec to throw the ball.

MATCH FORMAT

  • Each match will be 50 minutes long, played in two 25 minute halves
  • A match consists of as many ‘sets’ that can be completed within the 50 minute match.
  • No set will start with less than 5 minute remaining in the hour.
  • A set ends when all the players on a team have been eliminated.
  • Each set won is worth 1 point. At the end of the match, the team with the most points wins the match. If both teams have won an equal number of sets in the match then it is a tie (except in finals where another set is played).
  • Shenanigans – is when no one wants to pick up a ball to throw. Call of Shenanigans will force all players in the game to pick up a ball. (reminder you have 10sec to throw)

FORFEITS

  • All teams are expected to be at the venue 10 minutes before their scheduled match start.
  • Matches will start right on the scheduled time.
  • At match start, any team not meeting minimum player requirements (at least 4 players 2 girls) will forfeit the match.
  • If a team forfeits more than twice in a season, their status in the league will be placed under review.
  • If a team forfeits, the center will make every effort to organize a ‘scratch match’ to be played for the other team.
  • A forfeit is recorded as a 10-0 loss to the forfeiting team.

SUBSTITUTES

  • In the event that a team does not have 6 registered players for a match, substitutes may be recruited. Substitutes MUST be from the league or a new player that has submitted a waiver form on line.

PETITION FORMAT

  • A match win is worth 3 competition points. A match draw is worth 1 point, and a loss is worth 0 points.
  • Teams for/against elimination statistics will be recorded to rank teams on equal competition points. The team with the best for/against record will be ranked highest amongst teams on equal match points.

 

 

  • FINALS
  • At the end of the regular season, the 8 highest placed teams on the ladder will play in the major finals.
  • The Rest of the teams will play in the Minors Finals
  • No player who is not registered is eligible to play finals.
  • Registered players must have played a minimum of 5 competition matches to be eligible for finals. Or unless approved by the Commissioner
  • Substitutes can only fill the number of spots required. Eg – if a team has 5 original players, only 1 substitute can be recruited. Substitutes cannot rotate.