Dodgeball Leagues

Stay tuned for 2027 information.

The Team

Teams will be made up of 6-12 players. Six (6) players will compete on each side; others will serve as substitutes. Substitutes may enter the game only during timeouts or in the case of injury.

The Field

The playing field shall be a rectangle 60 ft long and at least 30 ft wide, divided into two (2) equal sections by a center-line and attack-lines/opening rush 3m from, and parallel to the centerline. (Identical to a Volleyball Court)

The Equipment

The official ball used in league play will be an 8.25" rubber-coated foam ball.

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 with a LIVE thrown ball below the shoulders.

2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground. When a LIVE ball is caught, one eliminated player from the “catching” team may re-enter the game (2017 change). A ball may be bobbled and still caught by the same player (2018 clarification)

Definition: LIVE: A ball that has been thrown and has not touched anything, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, official, or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc.)

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.

The Opening Rush

The game begins by placing the dodgeballs along the center line – three (3) on one side of the center hash and three (3) on the other. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal (whistle) by the official, teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest. Teams may only retrieve the three (3) balls to their right of the center hash. Once a ball is retrieved, it must be taken behind the attack line before it can be legally thrown. 

Following the Opening Rush

Following the Opening Rush (once players have retrieved the balls and retreated to the 3M attack line), players may approach up to the Center Line of the court during play. (2017 change)

Timing and Winning a Game

The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. 

5-Second Violation

To reduce stalling, a violation will be called if a team in the lead controls all six (6) balls on its side of the court for more than 5 seconds. This also applies to tied teams. 

Rule Enforcement

During pool play or regular-season matches, rules will be enforced primarily by the "honor system"*. Players will be expected to rule whether or not a hit was legal or whether they were legally eliminated. All contests will be supervised by a court monitor*. The court monitor’s responsibility will be to rule on any situation in which teams cannot agree. THE COURT MONITOR’S DECISION IS FINAL – NO EXCEPTIONS.

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