NEW PALTZ DODGEBALL RULES AND VARIATIONS
STANDARD DODGEBALL RULES
-The game of dodge ball starts with 6 players on each side, lined up
against opposite walls (touching, or within 6 inches), and balls ranging
in number from 4 to 8 placed in the middle, equidistant to both walls.
-When the whistle is blown to signify the start of the game, the players on
both teams are able to leave their spot and attempt to collect the balls.
-An opposing player may not place their body on the other side of the
middle line; they are allowed to reach over to get balls, but if a body
part touches the floor of the other side, they are declared Out.
-When a player gets hit from an opposing ball that is thrown with the
hands/arm, on any part of the body or clothing, or shoes, before it hits
the ground, they are declared out (see exception).
-EXCEPTION is when a ball hits an opposing player in the face or head, in
which case the ball is dead and no out is given to either side.
-Players may not go out-of-bounds to avoid being hit, if they do this
repeatedly or blatantly, they will automatically be declared Out.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET OUT:
-When a player is declared out, they are to IMMEDIATELY go to the
designated waiting area, on the open side of the field, and line up in
order of time gotten out, with the first outs lining up near the center,
and those following lining up behind them in the direction of their team's
side.
-If a player who is out languishes and interferes with further play,
they will be declared ineligible for the remainder of the game. Blatant or
repeated violation of this rule may result in suspension from the
tournament for that player.
-Players who are out may minimally interfere
with balls that go “out-of-bounds”, by changing their direction or passing
them to a teammate.
-However, players that are out may NOT interfere with a
live ball, or a ball that is in the field of play.
RE-ENTERING THE GAME AFTER GETTING OUT:
-If a "live" ball is caught, the player who threw that ball is considered
out, AND the earliest member of the team that has caught the ball may
re-enter the game.
DETERMINING WHETHER THE BALL IS "LIVE" (IN-PLAY):
-Balls remain "live"
until they come in contact with the wall or the floor, after which, they
are "dead", and do not result in outs upon contact/catch.
-Should a live ball come in contact with a ball held by a player, it IS
STILL CONSIDERED A LIVE BALL UNTIL IT HITS THE WALLS OR GROUND: it may be
caught by that player or another player in a manner and result similar to
that of a "live" ball; however if a ball deflected off another ball strikes
another player and is not caught, that player (which is hit by the deflection off the ball) is not out.
-IF A PLAYER CATCHES A BALL OFF THE WALL OR IS STRUCK BY A BALL OFF A WALL, THERE IS NO
OUT.
-HOWEVER if a live ball knocks a ball out of a player's hands and causes it
to hit the ground/wall, they are declared to be out.
OTHER:
-The game is over when all of one side's players are declared out.
-Please refrain from obscenity over the course of the games; cheering your
own team on is encouraged.
RULES OF VARIATIONS OF DODGEBALL GAMES TO COME SOON!
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