6.b) Dodge Ball 2014 RulesTaco Daze 2014
Dodgeball Rules
OBJECTIVE:
Eliminate all the players on the other team by scoring outs before your team is
eliminated.
TEAMS:
Each team may have up to 6 players on the court at one time. Teams may consist of up to 8
players (at least two of which must be female) with all players rotating in, but there are no
substitutions during the game.
DEFINITIONS:
Live Ball - a ball that is thrown by a player, in-bounds, and not yet deemed dead.
Dead Ball - a ball that has hit the ground, wall (or other obstacle), another ball, or a
player that is “safe.” A ball that has hit a player is still alive (meaning one throw may get two or
more players out).
“Safe” player - a player that has a hand raised over their head after;
a.) becoming an out
b.) being freed from jail
A safe player may not make a play.
Catch - a catch occurs when a player catches a live ball thrown by an opponent and then
maintains control.
MATCH:
Each match is a best-of-three games format. Teams switch sides after each game.
TIME:
Each game is limited to 7 minutes. The referee will give one minute, and thirty-second
warnings as well as a countdown of the last ten seconds . If the game time ends without a team
eliminated winner, the team with more players still in the game wins. If team
numbers are even, the game goes into sudden death; next team to score an out wins the game.
BOUNDARIES:
1. A tennis court is used as the playing field measuring 79ft X 36ft.
2. Each team’s “safe zone”, where opponents may not cross, is the back 18ft of their side
of the court. This leaves a 42ft. free zone in the middle and a total of 60ft. for each team
to roam.
3. Player may leave their boundaries to retrieve stray balls.
4. Only balls thrown from within the boundaries are live, but a player who is out of bounds
may become an out.
5. A player who steps into his opponents’ safe zone is out.
6. A player out of bounds to avoid play will be warned by the referee once and be deemed
out if the player does so again.
GAME START:
1. The game begins with each player behind their own back line.
2. Four balls will be placed at intervals along the center field line.
3. When the head referee blows his whistle to begin play, the players may attempt to grab
before their opponents do. Players may not cause physical contact or will be called out,
at the referee’s discretion.
SCORING AN OUT:
1. A player is eliminated and “out” if they:
Step into his opponents’ safe zone
Intentionally hit an opponent in the head (head referee’s discretion)
Are hit on any part of their body by a live ball thrown by an opponent and that ball is
not caught alive by a teammate.
Throw a ball that is caught alive by an opponent.
2. Once a player is called out, they must raise one hand to show that they are “safe” and
must immediately get to their own “jail” without disturbing game play.
JAIL:
1. When player has become “out,” they must line up in their marked jail box on the
sideline.
2. Jailed players may grab loose balls and throw them to teammates, but may not enter
the playing field or leave their jail boundaries.
3. Jailed players must stand back from the action to allow the head referee a view of the
game.
4. Jailed players may be brought back into the game when a teammate catches an
opponent’s live ball. One caught live ball means one jailed teammate may return to
action, at the referee’s signal. The newly “freed” player must raise their hand to signify.
5. Jailed teammates return to action in the order they became an “out.”
6. A freed player is “safe” as long as they raise their hand and until they return to their
own backline.
OFFICIATING:
1. Each game will be officiated by two referees. A head referee keeps time, officiates the
jails, and has final ruling. A side referee watches from the opposite side of the field and
focuses on outs.
2. A referee’s immediate decision is final.
3. To referee a discrepancy, the head referee may blow their whistle and stop all action.
4. All balls become dead at that point and players are to walk back behind their own back
line. After the referee’s decision, the whistle will be blown and play will resume. Those
who held possession of ball when the action was stopped, maintain possession when
the action is resumed.
Have fun and please thank your officials for working your matches.
Sponsored by the Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee