dodgeball XI

Download printable rules.

The Game Objective
The object is to eliminate all players on the opposing team by:

1. Hitting opposing player(s) with a LIVE thrown ball below the shoulders
2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent
   • A ball is LIVE until it hits the ground (including bouncing off another team player)
   • A DEAD ball occurs when the ball has been caught or hits the ground, an official, or court fencing

The Opening Rush

1. Games begin by placing the 6 dodgeballs along the mid-line. Three balls on either side of the center hash.
2. Six players (at least one of opposite sex) take starting positions with their hands touching the back boundary fence.
3. When the official signals, players may approach the mid-line to retrieve the 3 balls only to the right of the center hash.
4. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken, or thrown to a teammate, behind the attack-line (10 ft) before it can be legally thrown at the opponents.

Player Rotations

1. If a team has more than 6 players, the remaining players/subs must stand in the player line next to the Referee and rotate in order. No cutting in line. All players must rotate in equally.
2. Players called out must go to the end of the player line-up and rotate in only when those in front have entered.
3. A new player can enter the court only when a teammate catches the ball from an opposing player and is instructed to enter by the Referee. (Also, a ball can be caught when the ball bounces off a team player. In this case, the teammate is still in, the opposing player is out, and a new player can enter.)
4. A thrown ball can be blocked with another ball. The player holding the ball stays in UNLESS they drop the ball they were holding. Again, they would be out if they dropped the ball they were using to block with.

Boundaries/Fencing

1. Fencing will be set up along the boundary lines of each court. All players must remain in bounds at all times or be eliminated.
2. You may touch the fence at the start of each game but at no time during play are players allowed to touch or run into the fence. If contact is made the player is out.
3. If a player steps on the mid-line, the player is out.
4. Balls hit or thrown out of bounds will be returned by coaches and volunteers only.

Timing and Winning

1. Each contest will be allowed only three minutes of play.
2. The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be the winner.
3. If no team has eliminated their opposing team at the end of three minutes, the team with the greatest number of players on the court wins.
4. In case of a tie in overall pool standings, the team with the greatest total number of players left on the court throughout pool play moves on.
5. 10-second Rule – If a team in the lead (or in a tie) controls all balls on their side for more than 10 seconds, officials will count down 10 seconds before the ball(s) must be thrown or the team holding the balls will lose a player for stalling.