Official Rules:

 THE TEAM

Teams will be made up of 6 to 7 players. Six (6) players will compete on a side; others will be available as substitutes. Substitutes may enter the game only during the case of injury.

 THE FIELD

The game will be played indoors. The playing field will be half of the gym.

 THE EQUIPMENT

The official ball used in play will be an 8.25″ rubber-coated foam ball.

 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.

2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground.

 

Definition: LIVE: A ball that has been thrown and has not touched anything, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, official or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc)

 BOUNDARIES

During play, all players must remain within the boundary lines. Players may leave the boundaries through their end-line only to retrieve stray balls. They must also return through their end-line.

 THE OPENING RUSH

Game begins by placing the dodgeballs along the center line – three (3) on one side of the center hash and three (3) on the other. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the official, teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken behind the attack-line before it can be legally thrown.

 TIMING AND WINNING A GAME

The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. A time limit has been established for each contest. If neither team has been eliminated at the end of the time, the team with the greater number of players remaining will be declared the winner.

 TIME-OUTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

Each team will be allowed one (1) 30 second timeout per game.

 5-SECOND VIOLATION

In order to reduce stalling, a violation will be called if a team in the lead controls all six (6) balls on their side of the court for more than 5 seconds. This also applies to tied teams.

RULE ENFORCEMENT

During pool play, rules will be enforced primarily by the “honor system”*. Players will be expected to rule whether or not a hit was legal or whether they were legally eliminated. All contests will be supervised by a court monitor/official*. The court monitor’s responsibility will be to rule on any situation in which teams cannot agree. THE COURT MONITOR’S DECISION IS FINAL – NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

*NOTE: During tournament play, All Semi-Final and Final Round matches will be officiated by no less than two Officials. These officials will rule on all legal hits, out-of-bounds and 5-second violations.

 Code of Conduct

1. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game.

2. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials.

3. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match whether in victory or defeat.

4. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control.

5. Do not taunt or bait opponents and refrain from using foul or abusive language.