dodgeball rules
- How is the game set up?
- It's a pickup game, we number off randomly to divide into two teams. Please pay the front desk $2 before the game.
- We play width-wise along the gym. There is an unmarked center line which is only used at the very beginning of the round. The balls are set up along it.
- Each team's side overlaps. There's a line on either side of the key, a few inches to the outside. The farther of these lines is the farthest either team can go. The key area is then a DMZ.
- You cannot cross the far line. If you accidentally step over you are not out, but any action you take is null and void. Drop any balls you pick up to the other team, any throws you make don't count, and any catches you make are dead.
- There is also a sideline on the open edge of the gym, players may cross it to grab a ball if there aren't already any players out. They must return to play directly without throwing the ball.
- How does the game start?
- The game starts with each team against their respective walls. On 'Go' of "ready, set, go!" you run to the center line to grab a ball. Sweeping balls back is fine, kicking balls is not.
- During this initial rush it is important to be safe, there is NO crossing the center line. Keep your eyes on your competitors, two people running to the center with their heads down can collide without anyone crossing the line.
- A ball cannot be thrown until it is brought out of the DMZ once. So you cannot run to the center line and peg someone that's 6" away, you must first bring the ball back. After this initial rush all balls are active and you can throw them as soon as you get them
- When am I out?
- When a 'live ball' hits you and then becomes a 'dead ball'
- What is a dead ball?
- A ball is 'dead' once it touches the ground, the wall, the ceiling or is caught by the other team.
- What is a live ball?
- A ball is 'live' if the other team has thrown it in the air and it hasn't become a 'dead ball'. Remember: a ball deflecting off of your teammate or deflecting off of a ball you're using as a shield is still live and can get you out or be caught.
- When am I 'Hit'?
- You're hit when a live ball touches you and you don't catch it. There are some exceptions:
- A ball in your hand is a shield, it does not count as you.
- If a live ball knocks a shield ball out of your hand you are 'Hit' by the shield ball.
- Fingers pressed against a shield ball count as the ball.
- Loose clothing does not count as a hit as long as it doesn't change the path of the ball.
- A direct shot (not blocked or tipped) to the head when you are standing upright does not count as a hit.
- When reentering the game you cannot be hit for 5 seconds or until you pick up a ball
- When the other team catches a ball you throw (if it is still live).
- If you deliver a direct headshot to someone who is standing upright.
- When am I back in?
- when someone on your team catches a live ball, the person who's been out the longest is back in
- When you do catch a ball, yell and hold it up. It's your responsibility to make sure the thrower knows you caught it and your team knows someone comes in.
- How does the game end?
- The game ends when one team has no players in. reset the balls, grab a wall and wait for go.
- How should I play?
- Play for fun. If someone tells you you were probably out. It's hard to sit down when a ball barely grazes your knee, just go out. With the adrenaline pumping people sometimes don't notice a ball bouncing off their shoulder, so when you hear someone say you're out trust them and sit down.
- When you're on the bench, ref your team. I'm not saying you should be an ass, but if you see someone on YOUR team get hit let them know in a friendly way. It's not always easy to tell when you're hit so don't be offended if someone tells you you're out, and don't be afraid to mention to your teammate that they blocked the ball into their shin and should sit.
- Keep it friendly, have a good time. Stretch out a bit before hand too.
Thanks to Brendan Sweeney for creating this extensive list.
|
