Players make attacks by throwing the ball. We call a thrown ball a ‘live’ ball. If a live ball hits an opponent before it bounces, then that player is out. If a live ball hits two people before it bounces, then both players are out; this is a multiple play. Once a live ball has bounced or touched a wall or another external object (e.g. a ball retriever), then it is a dead ball and can no longer eliminate anyone from the game.
Throwing Rules – Facts
- Throws Only: Balls must be thrown for them to able to eliminate opponents – they cannot be kicked or spiked.
- Invalid Attempts: Balls may not be rolled to opponents – they must be thrown within 1 metre of opponents for an attempt to be classed as valid, or the thrower is out for an invalid attempt.
- Invalid attempt youth adaptation: u11/u13/u15 age categories get a warning for their first invalid attempt, and are only called out if they are missing on purpose to gain an advantage.
- Multiple Plays: Once an activated ball is thrown, every player it touches before it touches an external object (e.g. the floor or a wall) is eliminated. It is therefore possible to hit yourself out by throwing a ball – by having it ricochet off an opponent and touch you before it bounces.
- Sacrifice Play (adult age category only):
- If a player leaps across into opposition territory but releases their ball before they land and make a successful elimination with that ball, they may remain in the game and must make their way back to their own territory immediately.
- Should their miss their attempt, they are eliminated from the game for a line fault.
- Serious safety considerations must be made before players attempt this as they will be sanctioned for causing any physical contact between themselves and opponents.
- Headshots: Headshots are frowned upon in dodgeball. Close range, direct headshots at standing opponents, high-kneeling opponents, or opponents who are retreating back in a straight line, are sanctioned.
- Faceshot Youth Adaptation: For the u11/u13/u15 youth categories, we use a ‘face shot’ rule. If a player is hit in the face then they are not out and can continue playing (as long as they weren’t hit in the face whilst ducking down and in movement when struck). This is to disincentivize high throws at young players.
Task:
Hit or No Hit on player A?
