Downtown Dodgeball Rules

These are the rules we play by at Downtown Dodgeball. Still have questions? Check out our FAQ

Equipment

  • Games are played with 6 regulation size (8.5") rubber playground balls.

Players

  • Teams consist of ten or more players with no more than six on the court at any given time. All players must be in uniform.
  • At least two players of each gender must participate at the start of each game.

Retrievers

Retrievers are individuals designated to retrieve balls that go out of play. Players that are out act as retrievers.

  • Retrievers may not enter the court at any time.
  • Retrievers are only allowed to field balls from their side of the court.

Matches

A regulation match consists of 3 games. All games are played regardless of the outcome of the first two games.

Games

A game is played until all opponents on one side have been eliminated. The first team to eliminate all its opponents is declared the winner.

Beginning Play

Play begins with all players positioned behind their team's endline.

The Rush

  • The Rush occurs at the beginning of each game.
  • Upon the official's signal, both teams rush to center court and attempt to retrieve as many balls as possible.
  • A team may rush with as many or as few players as it wants, but at least one person from each team has to Rush.
  • There is no limit to how many balls an individual player may retrieve.
  • Players may not slide or dive head first into the center line or they will be called out.
  • Crossing over the center line will result in an "out."
  • Players may not physically grab and pull another player across the neutral zone or prevent them from returning to their side of the court.

Putting a Ball in Play

During the Rush, any ball retrieved from the center line must be returned behind the team's endline before it may be thrown at an opponent. A ball that hasn't crossed the endline is considered a dead ball, any hits or catches are voided plays.

There are several ways to put a ball into play following a Rush.

  • A player carries the ball across their team's endline.
  • A player passes the ball to a teammate who is behind or carries it across their team's endline.
  • A player rebounds the ball off the back wall of a closed court.

Outs

A player shall be deemed "out" when

  • a live ball hits any part of the player's body, clothing, or uniform.
  • a player is hit by a live ball rebounding off another player or ball lying on the court.
  • a defending player catches a live ball they have thrown.

Blocking

  • Players can defend themselves by blocking the ball in flight with another ball but must retain control over the ball they are blocking with. A player dropping or losing possession of the blocking ball is deemed "out."
  • Any blocked ball rebounding off another ball is considered live. Any player hit by the rebounding ball is deemed "out."

Stalling

  • The act of intentionally delaying the game.
  • If a referee determines that a player or team is stalling, the referee will warn player or team. If the stalling continues, at the referees discretion, player or team will lose possession of all balls on their side.

Headshots

  • A headshot occurs when a player is hit directly in the head by a high thrown ball.
  • Any thrower committing a headshot will be deemed "out."
  • Any player hit with a headshot remains in the game.

Sacrifice Fly

  • A sacrifice fly is an airborne attack, where an attacking player crosses the center line to hit an opponent.
  • Sacrifice flys are not permitted.
  • Players attempting a sacrifice fly will be called out and any ball they have thrown will be considered dead.