The objective of dodgeball is to eliminate the opposing players on the other team. Two teams play at once and the team with the remaining player(s) on the court is declared the winner.
The Opening Rush
There are six dodgeballs evenly placed on the centre line and players start by lining up at the backlines. Teams can only take the three dodgeballs located on the right side of the centre. Once the game starts, teams rush to the centre line to retrieve the dodgeballs. In order for the ball to be in play or ‘activated’, players can either 1) Take the balls back to the backline 2) Throw the dodgeball to their team members or 3) Throw the dodgeball against the back wall and back to the player. The opening rush is the only time players are allowed to step over the centre line.
The Offence
The dodgeball is your weapon and can only be thrown. Slapping, tagging or any other means is not allowed. Once thrown, it is a ‘live ball’. Eliminating a player is achieved by throwing a ‘live ball’ across the centre line and striking any part of an opposing player’s body then having the ball become dead eg. hitting the ground. A hit anywhere, whether it is the body, clothes, hair or shoe, all live hits are legitimate. If a ball hits multiple opponents, only the first person hit will be considered out. Once a ball has touched the ground, the wall or any other player, it is considered a ‘dead ball’.
Important note: If a player is hit but catches the ball before it is ‘dead’, then the opponent is out. If two players release the ball and hit each other at the same time, both players are out. In the situation where one player release the ball after being hit, he/she is out and the ball thrown is considered ‘dead’.
Important Rule:
For player safety, players are not allowed to jump over the boundaries to eliminate the other players. This is sometimes also referred as suicide or Kamikaze moves.
Exception
If a ball hits a player but is caught by another player on the same team, the player that was hit is still out. If a player is hit, it is in the interest of that player to catch the ball before it becomes a ‘dead’ ball.
Headshots
Headshots do count but are strictly discouraged. Intentional headshots are unsportsmanlike and 604dodgeball staff reserve the right to discipline players in the event of repeated and intentional violations. Players and bystanders should be also be game smart and be aware of the balls at all times.
Defending yourself
During a game, you can shield yourself with a dodgeball. Deflections MUST be clean and obvious. You are out if the ‘live’ ball hits any part of your body or clothing even after being deflected from a player’s own block. A player is also out if the ball is knocked out of their hands by an attacking ball or if the attacking ball hits his/her fingers in a defensive attempt.
Catching a dodgeball
If a ball is caught by an opposing team member then the player is out and at the same time, the opposing team can renew an ‘out’ player. The ‘out’ player must come back in the order he/she was knocked out of the game. The next ‘in’ player is only a live player once they step back onto the court and touches the back line or wall. He/she is not allowed to pick up or touch any dodgeballs before touching the wall. If this happens, the ball must be dropped immediately and any hits to the opponent do not count.
A player can only come back/be renewed into the game if he/she is on the sidelines at the time a teammate has caught a ball. A player who is in transit on the way to the sidelines will not be allowed to come back in UNLESS he/she is already on the sidelines.
Important Rule:
A player is safe from any hits until he/she releases from touching the back line or wall but must not intentionally delay or hesitate coming into play.
Sudden Death
When only one player from each team remain on the court. After a ten second count-down has expired and if no one is eliminated, sudden death begins. The game is stopped and the remaining players will start with two dodgeballs in their hands; two dodgeballs will also be placed at each end of the court. In sudden death, there are no centre line boundaries. The game will end once one player is eliminated. Lastly, the ball must be thrown in order to eliminate the other player, tagging is not allowed as it does not give the opposing player a chance to catch the ball.
End of the game
Shake hands and congratulate your teammates and the opposing team.
Rules regarding the Roster and Substitute Players
Regular Roster
A regular roster allows up to 10 players. Rosters can be changed anytime online up until the end of Week 7 (Game #6). Upon then, rosters are frozen.
Female Players
There is a required minimum of 2 females on the court with a minimum of 1 registered female on the roster. A team can still choose to play if this rule is not followed but will not receive any points for their wins. This rule applies to only regular season games.
Substitute Players
A sub is defined as either a male or a female that is not registered on the online team roster. 604dodgeball welcomes subs but he/she must ensure a waiver is signed in order to play. Signed waivers are given to any 604dodgeball staff before the session starts. Team captains are responsible in ensuring all registered and non-registered players have signed and returned waivers. Subs are not allowed to play on more than one team on one timeslot per night. Waivers can be printed here.
Exhibition and Regular Season
During the exhibition and regular season weeks: Teams are allowed to have either male and/or female subs; however, teams must have a full team to receive points for their wins. Unless the opposing team provides consent, a team can still choose to play if this rule is not followed but will default their games. Lastly, a minimum of 50% of the team must be registered players on the roster in order to qualify for a win.
Playoffs
At the end of week 10, total points will be calculated to determine placement for Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams. Playoffs consists of a one day double – round robin elimination tournament. This means every team is given two chances to win. One loss will not eliminate a team but will require the team to work twice as hard to defeat their opponents in the finals. During playoffs, there are three requirements. Firstly, only registered players on the roster are allowed to play in the playoffs, secondly, players must have played for a minimum of 3 weeks (excluding exhibition) during the regular season, lastly, a full team of six players is required. Teams are allowed to adjust the roster up until the end of Week 7 (Game #6). Upon then, rosters are frozen. During playoffs, a roster list may be reviewed by 604dodgeball staff to validate teams. There are no exceptions to the above rules. First place for both tier 1 and 2 wins medals.
Superball
Superball is 604dodgeball’s final tournament at season’s end to determine the one true champion. The top 3 teams of Tier 1 of the playoffs for each night of the season will be invited to battle for dodgeball’s most coveted title- Superball champions of the season! The same rules that apply for the playoffs will be in full effect for Superball. Players that play on multiple teams and nights that advance to Superball are only allowed to play on one single team. There are no exceptions to this rule and any issues or concerns that arise must be brought to the attention of 604dodgeball’s organizers prior to the day of Superball. For Superball, teams will have the opportunity to play each team and the top four team with the most amount of wins will enter a single round robin elimination.
Say it with your chest !
February 17, 8:04pm