Eau Claire Dodgeball - Rules

I. 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’s body, hair, or clothing with a LIVE thrown ball.
2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground, walls or other foreign object. The catch must be made within the field of play.
3. Knocking a ball out of the opposing player’s hands and onto the ground.
4. Stepping over the midline.

Definition: LIVE: A ball that has been thrown and has not touched the floor/ground, a dead player, official, or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc). Balls that bounce off other balls and players are still live.

II. 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. Stepping over the center line will cause the player to be out.

III. The Opening Rush

The game begins by placing the dodgeballs along the center line – spaced evenly apart. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the official (1, 2, 3, Dodgeball), teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. Any player that crosses the end-line before “Dodgeball” has been called will be “OUT”. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken behind the end-line before it can be legally thrown.

IV. Timing and Winning a Game

The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. A 5-minute time limit has been established for each contest. If neither team has been eliminated at the end of 5 minutes, the team with the greater number of players will be declared the winner. If the teams are even a 1 minute Sudden Death will take effect. At the end of the sudden death if the teams are still even the game will result in a tie.

5 Second Violation
In order to reduce stalling, a violation will be called if the team in the lead controls all six (6) balls on their side of the court for more than 5 seconds. This also applies teams with an even number of players. Following a violation all the balls will be given to the other team as a penalty.

V. Rule Enforcement

The rules will be primarily enforced on the “honor system”. Players will be expected to rule whether or not a hit was legal or whether they were legally eliminated. All matches will be officiated by at least one (1) Official. The official will rule on all disputes, out-of-bounds, and 5-second violations.

VI. Code of Conduct

• Understand, appreciate, and abide by the rules of the game.
• Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials.
• Respect your opponent whether in victory or defeat
• Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control.
• Refrain from using foul or abusive language