Andrea Shane M.

Pabillar
BSN 2-A

1. History of Dodgeball

● Dodgeball was originally played in Africa over 200 years ago, but it was actually a
deadly game, not as fun and entertaining as it is today. Rather than using soft rubber
balls, the game was actually played with large rocks or rotting materials, with each
contestant attempting to injure or incapacitate the other with the rocks, used as intense
training for the tribe. When a player was hit, they would try to get them to throw more
rocks to finish them off.The downed contestant's teammate was responsible for
defending him and fending off the attackers with their own stones. Yes, this is said to be
a great way to encourage tribesmen to work together in skirmishes with other tribes to
eliminate the weak and protect themselves. A missionary named Dr. James H. Carlisle
saw what was happening and was fascinated by the quickness and ruthlessness of the
tribesmen, and the solidarity and heart they displayed. He spent hours observing the
men and became obsessed with the rituals he saw each day. Returning to England via
Europe, he showed some students what he had seen. The European men who tried what
Carlisle told them found they didn't have the natural agility or accuracy to dodge or
throw. I couldn't encourage people who did it to wear it. Only when he returned to
teaching at St Mary's College in Norfolk was he able to turn his vicious training into an
all-encompassing game.

2. Rules and Regulations

● All players must sign a registration form every season before playing their first game. The
form outlines the league’s liability and sportsmanship policies. The form will be available in
hard copy at the centre.
● The aim of dodgeball is to eliminate the opposing players from the game by hitting them
with a live ball, or by catching live balls that have been thrown by the opposition.
● To start a game, each player must be touching their respective back net with at least one
foot.
● The referee will place 6 dodgeballs along the centreline – three on each side of the court.
The referee will start the match by blowing a whistle, at which time players may rush to grab
the three balls on their right hand side.
● Players are permitted to cross the midline during the opening rush only.
● Players must retreat and cross the attack line before making their first throw, or can pass
balls back to teammates positioned behind the attack line. Two feet must be behind the
attack line for a throw to be valid.
● At no point during the game may any player intentionally use the back or side netting as a
playing field. Intentional use of the back or side netting will result in penalty. This includes
jumping, diving into or climbing up the netting.
● If a player catches a live ball thrown by the opposition, then the player who threw the ball is
out. Additionally, an eliminated member of the catcher’s team may return to the field of
play.
● Players returning to the game must do so in the same order in which they were eliminated.
● When returning to the field of play, eliminated players must enter the court from the
beginning of the ‘bench’ area, closest to the midline.
● Eliminated players must line up in order of elimination, starting at the beginning of the
bench area for ease of return to the game.
● When a player is ‘out’ they must raise their hand and leave the field of play immediately,
without interfering with play in any way.
● Any player intentionally throwing a ball at an opposition player whose hand is raised will be
‘out’.
● Any player who crosses the midline during match play will be ‘out’.
● Players may pass the ball to team-mates.
● Players may put the ball on the ground.
● Players are not permitted to kick or step on the ball.
● Players must not lift or support their team-mates in catching, throwing, etc.
● Eliminated players must not interfere with or touch any balls while ‘out’.
● No team is allowed to have all 6 balls on their half of the court for more than 10 seconds. If a
team has all the balls they must make a legitimate effort to get at least 1 of the balls across
to the opponent’s half. The first violation of this rule will result in a stoppage of play and
distribution of all 6 balls to the opposing team. Play will continue with balls at feet.

3. Terminologies
● Attack Line: The furthest point either team can attack from.
● Ball Control: Keeping the majority of the balls on your side of the court to systemically attack.
● Catch: When a person catches a ball thrown by the other team. Team that caught the ball is
rewarded with bringing a player back into the game.
● Center Line: The middle of the court where neither team can cross.
● Deflection: When the ball ricochets off a ball or opposing player.
Offensively, deflections can be
used to get multiple people out on one throw. Defensively, deflections are used to deflect the
ball up for another player to be able to catch it.
● Fault: Any action other than being hit with a ball that results in the player being eliminated from
the game. This includes stepping over the attacking line or stepping out of bounds.
● Headshot: A thrown ball that hits a player above the neck area. The player hit is not eliminated
and the player that threw the ball is warned for making high throws.
● High Throw: A ball thrown above the neck area toward an opposing player.
● Hit: When a player is hit with a ball thrown by the other team. If a player is hit they are
eliminated from the game.
● Opening Run: The initial start to the game where players run to get the balls lined up at the
attack line.
● Pump Faking: An act of attempting to throw a ball, but not with the hopes of fooling the other
team into believing a ball is coming their direction.
● Suicide: The act of jumping over the attack line with the hope of sacrificing yourself to be hit by
the opposing team.
● 10-Second Count: An edict placed by a referee to the team holding a majority of the balls. They
have 10-seconds to throw however many balls they hold more than the opposition.
● 3-2-1 Dodgeball: The opening line of the game used by a referee to start the game.