Dodgeball Rulebook

Dodgeball Rule Book

 

Roster

  1. There is a minimum number of 10 players and a maximum of 20 allowed to be registered on the BYSC roster.  All players must be listed on the roster and acknowledge upon registration the Terms & Conditions to participate.
  2. Players must be at least 21 years of age at the start of the season.
  3. Players can only be on one roster per league.
  4. A team may have no more than 8 players on the court at one time.  A team can have a maximum of 4 female and 4 male players on the court at a time.  A team must have at least 6 players on the court to avoid a forfeit in any combination (3M/3F, 4M/2F, or 2M/4F).
  5. Players MUST be registered and on a roster to be a legal player.
    • If a team is caught using an illegal player, that team will take an automatic forfeit.

Uniforms

  1. The Commissioner will provide each team with a T-Shirt for its roster.  All players must wear their team shirts for each game.
  2. Players may add their name, number, and other similar personal information to their T-shirt.  Players additions may not cover the BYSC or Sponsor logo.
  3. Players may not add any corporate information to their T-shirt, including website addresses and company names.  Players may not include any offensive material on their T-shirt. The Commissioner has the exclusive right to determine whether additions are offensive.

Officials

  1. 1 Paid Head Ref will be provided per game.
  2. Teams will be asked to officiate other games. Two officials from each team will be asked to officiate each match when assigned.  
  3. If a team does not provide refs:
    • 1st offense: team will get a warning
    • 2nd offense: that team will not make the playoffs
  4. The “HEAD” ref will be placed on the center line with an additional ref on each side of the court.  It is the primary responsibility of the “HEAD” ref to signal the start/end of each game.
  5. “HEAD” ref will rule in cases where teams can not agree; must attempt to observe all action on the court.  Although it may not be possible to see all questionable plays, the monitor must be diligent in his/her observation of the game.  A consensus should be an agreement between the refs.
  6. Keep track of out of bound infractions.
  7. Rule whether a players was legally eliminated.
  8. Arguing with officials, DOES NOT STOP gameplay.  
  9. A timeout is allowed to STOP PLAY.
  10. Controversial calls will be sorted out at the Ref’s discretion.
  11. Any issues that arise should be directed towards your Team Captain to discuss with the REFS.
  12. REFS have the right to keep players out of the game for abusive language/actions. A warning will be given first and then expulsion from the game for a second offense. Note: offending player AND the captain will be asked to leave.
  13. Keep in mind your REFS are your peers.  Treat them as you wish to be treated.

Equipment

  1. 6 Regulation size balls. 4 Blockers (8.5”) and 2 Stingers (6”).
  2. Ball layout as follows: Blocker, Stinger, Blocker, Blocker, Stinger, and Blocker

Clock

  1. Matches will run for 50 minutes.
  2. Games will end with one team eliminating the other team.

Forfeits

  1. The team must have at least 6 players to avoid a forfeit.  Any combination will work (3M/3F, 4M/2F, or 2M/4F)

Boundaries

  1. End Line: This is the rear boundary.
  2. Center Line: This is the forward boundary.
  3. Attack Line: This line will be located 10 feet behind the center line on each side.  Balls must cross this line before being thrown at the opposing team. Any ball thrown without crossing this line will not count.

Begin Play

  1. Play begins with all players positioned on their team “End Line”.
  2. If a team does not have enough players (6 players min) at the beginning of the match, the opposing team will be awarded 1 point for every 5 minutes.
  3. An incomplete team does not stop the game clock.
  4. Commissioner will begin all matches with a bullhorn to ensure games start and end on time.
    • Commissioner will announce a 2 minute warning before game starts.
    • Horn will sound when 50 minutes are up.
    • A game that is in play during the 50 minute time will be considered a null game, even if that means a score ends in a tie.
  5. Games that are played against a wall (Courts 1, 2 & 5) will switch sides after 2 games.

The Rush

  1. The Rush occurs at the beginning of each match or reset.
  2. Upon the official’s signal, both teams rush to the center line and retrieve 3 balls on their right side of the court.  
  3. A team may rush with as many or as few players as it wants, but at least one person from each team has to Rush.
  4. Each team is designated 3 balls on the rush.
  5. If a ball(s) are left behind on the initial rush, the opposing team is allowed to grab that ball(s).
  6. Crossing over the Center line on the Rush will be an automatic out.

Putting a Ball in Play

  1. During the Rush, any ball retrieved from the center line must be returned behind the 10 foot attack line before it may be thrown at an opponent.
  2. A ball that hasn’t crossed the attack line is considered a dead ball, any hits or catches are voided plays.
  3. After the ball crosses the attack line on the initial rush, balls can be thrown near the center line.
    • Thrower need to have both feet behind attack line, this includes throw backs.
  4. A ball cannot be kicked. A kicked ball is a dead ball.

Whose Turn Is It to Throw

  1. On the initial rush any team can start throwing after the ball has crossed the attack line.  If there is a stall then the team with the odd color stinger ball will be forced to throw. The odd color stinger ball will alternate sides after the start of each match.
  2. The team with a greater amount of balls will be forced to throw first .
  3. While in mid-game with both teams having equal number of balls on both sides and there is a stall in the game; then the side with  odd color stinger ball will be forced to throw.
  4. Teams may not place balls on their opponents center line that will force the opposing team to have to throw. 
    • If this happens, the Ref can kick the ball to the team whose side it is on. 

1 vs 1

  1. When both teams have 1 player left on the court (sex of the player doesn’t matter), each player is allowed to move across the center line and into their opponent’s Attack Line.
  2. If a player catches the ball IN BOUNDS (only 1 foot in is required, i.e. College Football catch rule) and then steps out of bounds in the process, the thrower is out first, as well as the player who steps out of bounds.
  3. If there is a simultaneous out, there will be a redo:
    1. Both players will line up on the End Line.
    2. 3 balls will be placed on each player’s Attack Line.

Substitution

  1. NO substitution can be made while game is in progress.

Time Out

  1. There is only one team timeout during the 50 minute game limit.
  2. Timeouts are limited to 30 seconds.

Retrievers

  1. Retrievers are individuals designated to retrieve balls that go out of play.
  2. Teams are responsible for providing retrievers.
  3. You may use players that are out as retrievers.
  4. Retrievers may not enter the court at any time. This includes grabbing a ball in court.
  5. Retrievers are only allowed to field balls from their side of the court.
  6. If there are no retrievers available and game has stalled.  A player must raise their hand to the REF and they will be available to retrieve balls on their side.

Matches

  1. A game played until all opponents on one side have been eliminated.
  2. The team to eliminate all opponents is declared the winner, and will receive one point for each win.
  3. Both teams will play as many games as they can within the 50 minute time limit.

Outs

  1. A player shall be deemed OUT when a live ball hits any part of the player’s body, clothing, hair or uniform.
  2. A defending player catches a live ball you have thrown.
  3. If you are hit by a deflected ball, you are OUT.
  4. If the ball hits two players, the first person who is hit by the ball is out. Ball becomes a dead ball. The second player remains in the game.
  5. If you deflect a ball into yourself, ie. you deflect a ball and it hits you in the foot, you are OUT.
  6. If the ball is deflected and caught in the air by the defending team, the thrower is OUT.  If the ball flies back (it is still considered a live ball) to the offensive team, and anyone tries to catch it and fails they will be considered OUT.  If the offensive catches the ball no one is out.
  7. If the ball is deflected by another ball and then caught by an opposing player, the thrower is OUT
  8. If you block/deflect a ball and lose control of the ball in your hands, your are OUT.
  9. A player that touches the designated boundaries within their side of the court is OUT.
  10. A player that is hit must exit the court at the nearest exit, and not stroll through the court pretending they are still in play.  Any balls that hit the player who is out, that ball is considered a dead ball. Said player may not pass any balls to their teammates unless it’s already a ball in hand.
  11. If 2 players throw at each other, and both are hit at the same time, both players are OUT.
  12. If a player releases a ball, then steps out AFTER the ball is released, the thrower is OUT and anyone who is hit before the ball hits the ground is out.
  13. If a player catches the ball IN BOUNDS (only 1 foot in is required, i.e. College Football catch rule) and then steps out of bounds in the process, the thrower is out, as well as the player who steps out of bounds.
  14. If you are clearly falling out of bounds and use a ball to assist with staying in bounds, you are OUT.
  15. “Centipeding” is not allowed. This is defined as 1 or more players crouching or 2 or more standing behind a teammate.
  16. REFS can bring a player back in if the player gets out mistakenly.
    1. If they are the second person hit and did not know
    2. If they got hit but did not know one of their teammates caught the ball after

Blocking

  1. Players can defend themselves by blocking the ball in flight with another ball, but must retain control over the ball they are blocking with.
  2. A player losing control of the blocking ball is deemed OUT.
  3. Any blocked ball rebounding off another ball is considered live.
  4. Any player hit by the rebounding ball is deemed OUT.  If a player catches a rebound ball then the thrower is OUT.

Pinching

  1. The act of squeezing the ball in order to alter the thrown ball is not allowed.
  2. You may grip the ball tightly.
  3. Pinching is the actual act of folding or squeezing the ball until it looks like a “RAISIN” to alter its shape while thrown.  Any questions regarding “Pinching”, please find the Commissioner.
  4. You will get one warning for suspected Pinching.  2nd offense will be OUT.

Out of Bounds Rule

  1. If any part of the player’s body touches the boundary lines they will be OUT.
  2. Momentum that carries a player out of bound while making a catch.  Must have control of the ball prior to going out of bounds. The player is OUT and the thrower is OUT.  If the catch is made out of bounds only the player who went out of bounds is OUT.
  3. Anyone that is out of bounds, is not allowed to touch/hold a player in who is falling out of bounds.

Team Standings

  1. Points will be awarded to teams as follows:
    1. Win = 1, and a Loss = 0, Tie = 0.5
  2. Team standings will determined by the team with the highest amount of points.  
  3. Tie breakers will be:
    • Head-to-Head
    • Least Amount of Matches Lost (PSA)
    • Higher Matches Won (PS)