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Redball Dodgeball Rules



Redball Dodgeball Rules

DODGEBALL LEAGUE RULES 1.18.23

Redball Shirts

  • Redball Dodgeball shirts must be worn every game, including when wearing an outfit for the social theme.

Teams

  • In general, teams will comprise of:
    • 8-9 males.
    • 3-4 females.
  • Team compositions may change season-to-season depending on league numbers.

Minimum Players On Field

  • Male: minimum 5 players.
  • Female: minimum 2 players.
  • If these minimums are not met, a number of points are given to the opposing team depending on how many players are available to play:
    • 4 males: 1 point.
    • 2 males: 2 points.
    • 1 female: 1 point.
    • 0 females: 2 points.

Substitutes

  • If a team is missing players, they may take a sub from another team.
  • Subs do not count toward player minimums.
  • Subs may only be vetoed by the league commissioner.
    • The opposing team does not have a right-by-rule to deny a sub.
    • In the event the league commissioner is unavailable, refs are given veto power.
  • Individuals who are not currently registered with the league may sub for a fee determined by the league commissioner.
  • Subs are not permitted for the playoffs.

Team Captains

  • Team captains should know the rules of the game and make sure their players follow them.
  • Only team captains are allowed to interact with the refs

o This should be done during a timeout, between games or if the ref has stopped play.

Field

  • The game may be played indoors or outdoors.
  • The playing field shall be a rectangle divided into two equal sections by a center-line.
  • The playing field shall have two attack lines running parallel to and 5 feet away from the center line.
  • Boundaries:
    • Players may move up to the farthest attack line to throw.
      • Partially crossing this line results in a line warning for the entire team. Any player who crosses the line after this first warning is out.
      • Fully crossing this line results in an out, regardless of whether there was a line warning. If there was no line warning, a line warning is now issued.
      • Any throw made by a player who crosses this line is considered a live-ball as long as the playerÃ?¢??s foot was behind the line before the ball was released.
    • If playing outdoors, players who cross the sidelines are out.
      • Players may cross the backline in order to shag balls, however, they must also return to the field of play through this backline or they are out.

Equipment

  • Ball size: 8' ball, inflated to 7'.
  • Ball type: Soft rubber.
  • Pinching:
    • Players will be given two warnings for pinching a ball.
    • After the second warning, pinching will result in an out.
    • Pinching is up to the refs discretion.

Match/Game Start

  • Ball placement:
    • At the start of the first game of the match, 3 balls will be placed on the left and right side of the center line, with 1 ball placed in the middle.
    • For all subsequent games after the first, 4 balls will be placed on the side of the losing team from the prior game.
  • Players must stand on their sides back line prior to the start of the game.
  • Games begin after the refs announce 3-2-1 Dodgeball
  • Opening rush:
    • Players may rush to the balls on their right.
    • If there is a center ball, it is available for any team to grab.
    • Ball activation:
      • A ball must be activated before it can be considered a live ball.
      • A ball must be carried or passed to within 5 feet of the back line before they are activated.

Gameplay

  • 7 balls are used during the game.
  • Ball control:
    • A team is considered to have ball majority if they have 4 or more balls.
    • Teams have 10 seconds to throw, toss, roll, etc. enough balls across the center line to no longer have ball majority.
      • Balls Over:
        • If a team fails to relinquish majority before 10 seconds then they must give all the balls to the opposing team. This is called balls over.
    • A team wins a game when all of the opposing team's players are out.
      • 1 point is then awarded to the winning team.
    • If only one man on each team remains, or one woman on each team remains, then a 1v1 will commence to determine the winner of the point.
      • If one man remains on one team and one woman on the other team, there is no 1v1 and the game will be played to normal completion.
    • The team with the most points at the end of regulation wins the match.

Regulation Time

  • Match length: 40 minutes or 50 minutes.
    • Match length may change season-to-season.
  • Half time:
    • Teams will switch sides after around half of regulation time has passed.
  • End of regulation:
    • Matches separated by 1 or more points: the game ends.
    • Tied games:
      • Regular Season:
        • If less than half of the players remain for both teams, then the game will be played to completion.
        • If more than half of the players remain for both teams, the game ends and a 2v2 will commence. The winners of the 2v2 will win the match.
        • If time is not permitting then a game may end in a tie during the regular season, at the discretion of the league commissioner.
      • Playoffs:
        • The final game will be played to completion regardless of how many players remain.
    • Time outs:
      • Each team has one 30 second timeout for the match that may be called in-between games.
      • Refs may pause a game at any point for any reason
        • Examples (but not limited to):
          • Injuries.
          • To discuss a call with other refs.
        • Team's will resume play with the same number of balls as when play was paused.
          • Unless the refs make a call stating otherwise.

1v1 and 2v2

  • 1v1 occurs when there is only one player remaining on both teams of the same sex.
    • If one man remains on one team and one woman remains on the other team, then 1v1 does not commence and the game will continue until normal conclusion.
  • 2v2 occurs at the end of regulation in the event of a tie.
    • One man and one woman from each team will participate.
  • Rules:
    • Each player starts with two balls.
      • These are the only balls that will be considered in play for the duration of the 1v1/2v2.
    • Players may only pick up and throw balls that were in play at the start of the 1v1/2v2.
      • Only players in the 1v1/2v2 may pick up balls. Teammates not in play may not shag balls.
    • Players may utilize the entire field; there is no penalty for crossing the throwing line.
    • A ball must be thrown in order for it to eliminate an opponent.
      • Tagging an opponent with a ball does not count as an out. The ball must be thrown.
      • If an opponent takes a ball from your hand then you are out.
  • Simultaneous hits
    • This only applies during a 1v1 or if there is only one player from each side remaining during a 2v2
    • If neither player catches the ball, then the player that was hit first is out.
    • If the timing of the hits is too close to determine who was hit first, then the player who was hit by the ball that touches the ground first is out.
    • If neither of the above can be determined:
      • Redo the 1v1
      • Or for a 2v2, have the two remaining players play a 1v1, regardless of sex.

Outs

  • You are out if:
    • You are hit by a live ball.
    • Your ball is caught.
    • Your foot fully crosses the farthest throw line.
    • Your foot partially crosses the farthest throw line after a line warning has been given to your team.
    • Your foot fully crosses the sideline of an outdoor field.
    • You block a ball into yourself.
    • You trap a ball on the ground.
    • A ref calls you out.
      • For any reason.
  • You are not out if:
    • You are hit by a blocked or dead ball. (see blocking)
  • Head shots:
    • You are out if a ball hits you in the head or face.
      • Unless you were standing straight up while not making any dodgeball moves.
        • Dodgeball moves:
          • Throwing
          • Catching
          • Dodging
          • Ducking
          • Dipping
          • Diving
          • Dodging
      • Shoulder/Chest:
        • If the ball hits your shoulder or chest in addition to your head or face, you are out no matter what.
    • Players who are out:
      • Players who are knocked out must exit the field and enter the out-line in the order in which they were knocked out.
      • If you skip the line or otherwise break the out-line order, your team will be deducted a point for unsportsmanlike conduct.
    • Sportsmanlike Conduct:
      • Players are expected to call themselves out if they are hit and not wait for a ref to call them out.
        • Repeated infractions can result in expulsion from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct will first result in one warning.
  • A penalty will be issued after the second unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • Penalties:
    • Different penalties are used depending on the unsportsmanlike conduct.
    • Player is called out:
      • Arguing with refs.
      • Throwing a non-activated ball on the opening rush at a defenseless player.
      • Using the out-line, goal posts, or anything other than a ball or active player as a shield.
      • Head shots.
        • Two warnings are given for head shots before a penalty is issued instead of one warning.
    • Player expulsion:
      • Not calling yourself out when obviously, blatantly hit by a ball.
        • This rule applies to blatant hits above the knee.
          • Does not apply to hits below the knee since a player may not know if the ball hit the ground first.
          • Does not apply to a ball skimming a player since a player may not feel being hit.
        • Blatant hit:
          • When a ball squarely hits a person.
      • Purposefully interfering with live balls while walking to the out-line.
      • Starting a physical altercation with players or refs.
      • Excessive or obscene taunting.
      • Arguing with a ref after already being called out for arguing with a ref in the match.
        • No warnings for this infraction since a warning was already issued for the prior infraction.
      • A sub may not replace an expelled player.
    • Point deduction:
      • Altering the out-line order

Live/Dead Balls

  • Live balls:
    • A ball is live from the moment it is thrown or tossed, whether overhand or underhand.
  • Dead balls: a ball is dead if:
    • It hits any player.
    • It hits any object or surface.
      • It hits another ball.
        • See blocking.
      • It hits the ground.
      • It hits the net (side or ceiling).
      • It hits the wall.
      • It hits a goal post.
      • It hits a boundary marker.
      • Etc
    • It is caught.

Blocking

  • You may block an incoming ball with a ball you are holding.
  • If you block a ball and it hits you, you are out.
  • If you block a ball and you are able to catch it before it becomes dead from touching another surface, then it counts as a catch.
  • If a blocked ball hits any object or player other than the player who blocked the ball, then the ball is dead.
    • Players hit by a ball that was blocked by a teammate are not out.

Catches

  • Catching a ball brings in a teammate from the out line.
  • If throw a ball that is caught, you are out.
  • A ball is considered caught if the player uses their hands/body to secure the ball in firm control without the ball touching the ground in any way.
    • A ball is considered secured when a player is able to manipulate the ball without dropping it.
      • Once this milestone is reached the catch is finalized regardless of whether the ball subsequently leaves the player's possession.
  • Traps are considered out.
    • A trap is when the ball hits the floor and the player at the same time.
  • Re-entering the game from the outline:
    • The moment you take one step onto the field from the outline you are considered a live player and may be hit out.
    • Player must re-enter the game in the order they were thrown out or an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be called.
  • Catch and out
    • If you catch a ball but are subsequently hit out, the catch still counts but you are out.
      • You cannot catch yourself back in.
    • You are out if you are unable to secure the ball before being hit.

Shagging Balls

  • Definition: interacting with the balls other than blocking, catching, or throwing at an opposing player.
  • Players who are out may not shag (roll, toss, throw, etc) balls to the other team.
    • Players who are out may shag balls to their own teammates.


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