Reffing Guidelines

Why Have Referees?

604dodgeball is a league based on knowledge and the honour system.  This means players are expected to know the rules, abide by them and use the honour system.  As an added layer of assurance, peer referees are there to assist the enforcement of rules and act as an objective party.  There is a minimum of four referees each game. 2 players on the bench from each team are expected to ref.  Games do not commence unless all refs have been staffed.

A Ref’s Responsibilities

1.  Ensure there are 6 balls on the court before the start of the game

2.  Watch for sideline and centre lines violations

3.  Counting down the 10 second rule

4.  Ensuring ‘dead’ balls are moved to the proper side

5.  Ensuring dead balls are rolled with enough velocity to the other side’s wall

6.  Calling players out ONLY when they do not call themselves out or were unaware they were hit

7.  Prohibiting  ball and game interference by ‘out’ players or people on the benches

8.  Ensuring ‘out’ players queue up behind the sidelines and in the proper order

9.  Ensuring players line up according to when they were hit.  First out, first back in

10.  Ensuring players coming back into the game touch the wall without hesitation

11.  Ensuring players coming back into the game do not touch balls enroute to the wall

12.  Stopping the game if there is an accident or injury

13.  Resolving contention and disputes

14.  Clarifying rules and explaining calls to players

15.  Ensuring players shake hands after each game

The Ref’s Authority and Guidelines

1.  Always be firm and confident

2.  Be audible as there can be a lot of noise in the gym

3.  Stop the game when the situation calls.  Upon stoopage, hits are not counted.

4.  Upon opening rush, start the 10 second countdown once any ball is activated on either side

5.  Start the 10 second countdown once a ball is touched

6.  Ensure countdowns are consistent with the other refs at the opening rush

7.  Ensure countdowns start at 10 and ends at 1, not zero

8.  Countdown at the same pace of a clock – not too fast or too slow

9.  Point at players that are being counted down

10.  Only watching your side of the court

11.  Work as a team with the other ref on the opposing end

12.  Collaborate with the other refs to clarify calls or events

13.  Continually enforce and remind players to keep the balls thrown low

14.  Do not call ‘out’ for players UNLESS they do not call themselves out or realize they were hit

Referees are Humans

Referees are humans and therefore are not perfect.  As a result, there may be calls that players do not agree on.  In addition, they may be  a margin of error.  Although this may happen, players MUST obey the refs calls at all times. NO EXCEPTION WHATSOEVER.