Dodgeball Rules
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League Rules

Official guidelines for the Gem City Social Sports Dodgeball League.

Respect for the Refs

They Are Players Too

Refs are fellow league players. Treat them as you want to be treated when it's your turn. They are there to keep the game moving.

Honesty & Respect

Be Honest: Take your out if hit.
Be Respectful: If called out, you are out (even if you disagree). Refs miss calls, just like pros.

Disputes

Rule disputes must happen between games, not during play.

Game Format

  • Length: Games up to 5 minutes.
  • Breaks: 2 minutes between games (water, subs).
  • Matches: 4 best-of-5 matches per night (subject to change; more added if time permits).

Players & Subs

  • Waivers: Team captain must ensure ALL players (including subs) sign a waiver.
  • Forfeit: Playing with non-rostered/un-waivered player or under 21 = Forfeit.
  • Subs:
    • Only allowed if under 7 players.
    • Max 2 subs to reach 7 players.
    • Outside Subs: Must check in & sign waiver.

The Rush

  • Start: On official's signal, rush center line to retrieve balls.
  • Reset: Players must return to their back line.
  • Live Balls: All balls must touch back net before being thrown.
  • False Start: Rush redone; offending player cannot rush.

Being Out

Be Honest

You don't need a ref to call you out. We want to win, but the game is only fun with integrity.

  • Hit: Below shoulders by live ball = OUT.
  • Saving Throws: If hit, ONLY the hit player can catch the ball to save themselves. (Teammate catching it after it hits you does NOT save you or out the thrower).
  • Head Shots: Thrower is NOT out for head shots (unless intentional/flagrant).
    • Player hit in head is NOT out.
    • Exception: If player ducks/kneels into head shot = OUT.
  • Failed Block: Dropping blocking ball = OUT. Deflected ball hitting you = OUT.

Catching

Catching a live ball results in TWO things:

  1. The thrower is OUT.
  2. One player from catching team RETURNS to the game (if any were out).Order of return: Order they were put out.

Blocking & Dead Balls

  • Blocking: Can use held ball to block.
    • Blocked ball is DEAD (unless it hits blocker = Failed Block).
    • Dead blocked ball cannot catch someone out or hit someone else out.
  • Dead Ball: Hits ground, wall, ceiling, etc.
  • No Pinch/Gorilla Grip: Not allowed.
  • Stalling: Team with all 6 balls must throw half within 10 seconds.