All dodgeball players have a duty to ensure they play by the rules and uphold themselves to the highest standards. Highly competitive play is encouraged but should never be displayed as cheating. If you respect your opponents, respect your officials and the decisions they make, then you respect the spirit of the dodgeball. This will increase the integrity of the sport and the joy of play for all.
The Dodgeball Code
The Dodgeball Code has been developed as an accessible and summarised version of British Dodgeball’s Code of Conduct. It is one of the most important aspects of dodgeball. It is about fair play, respect and sportsmanship.
General
Refereeing & Sanctions
University
Quick Start Rules
Centre Referee: Hand Signals & Verbal Commands List
Starting & Stopping Play
Starting a Set
Verbal Command: “The score is X:X. Y time remaining. Teams line up, ready…” whistle
Hand Signal: Raise hand, *wait for partner to raise hand*, lower hand.
Pausing/Resuming a Set
Verbal Command: whistle, “Time paused/resumed, X time remaining in set.”
Hand Signal: Raise hand, lower hand.
Ending a Set
Verbal Command: whistle, “Team X wins the set.”
Hand Signal: Raise hand, lower hand, gesture to winning team.
Calling a Team Timeout
Verbal Command: “Time out – Team X.”
Hand Signal: Make T sign, point to team calling time out.
Eliminations
Line Fault
Verbal Command: “Line fault, player out.”
Hand Signal: One hand gesturing a line on the floor, other hand pointing to player.
Hit
Verbal Command: “Hit, player X out.”
Hand Signal: One hand touches hit spot, other hand pointing to player.
Two hits (& other multiple plays)
Verbal Command: whistle, “Two hits, both players out.”
Hand Signal: One hand with 2 fingers raised, other hand points to both players out.
Head Shot (Dangerous Play)
Verbal Command: “Dangerous headshot, player A out.”
Hand Signal: One hand touches head, other hand points to player out.
Catch
Verbal Command: “Catch, player X out.”
Hand Signal: Gesture a catch and point to player caught.
Non-Eliminations
Bounce Before Hit
Verbal Command: “Bounce, play on.”
Hand Signal: Gesture a bouncing ball’s path by moving one hand vertically.
No Hit (Near Miss)
Verbal Command: “No hit, play on.”
Hand Signal: Horizontal forearm sweep.
Block
Verbal Command: “Block, play on.”
Hand Signal: Gesture a ball shape with both hands.
Face Shot (junior-specific)
Verbal Command: “Face shot, play on.”
Hand Signal: Touch face.
Hit Made with Inactive Ball
Verbal Command: “Ball not activated, player X stay in.”
Hand Signal: Make circle with both hands then wipe away horizontally.
Stalling & Sanctions
Burden Count About to End – Additional 2 Seconds Granted
Verbal Command: N/A
Hand Signal: Hold out closed fist.
Play X Balls
Verbal Command: “Play X balls.”
Hand Signal: Count 5 seconds on hand.
Giving a Sanction (warning, out, blue/yellow/red card)
Verbal Command: “Warning/player out/blue card/yellow card/red card to player X for Y.”
Hand Signal: One arm raised with closed fist, other hand point to sanctioned player.
Assistant Referee: Hand Signals & Verbal Commands List
Starting & Stopping Play
Last 10 Seconds of Set: Counting Players Remaining
Verbal Command: N/A
Hand Signal: Show amount of players remaining on your side using fingers.
False Start
Verbal Command: “False Start”
Hand Signal: Raise hand, point to offending player.
Eliminations
Line Fault
Verbal Command: “Line fault, player out.”
Hand Signal: One hand gesturing a line on the floor, other hand pointing to player.
Hit
Verbal Command: “Hit, player X out.”
Hand Signal: One hand touches hit spot, other hand pointing to player.
Two hits (& other multiple plays)
Verbal Command: whistle, “Two hits, both players out.”
Hand Signal: One hand with 2 fingers raised, other hand points to both players out.
Catch
Verbal Command: “Catch, player X out.”
Hand Signal: Gesture a catch and point to player caught.
Non-Eliminations
Bounce Before Hit
Verbal Command: “Bounce, play on.”
Hand Signal: Gesture a bouncing ball’s path by moving one hand vertically.
No Hit (Near Miss)
Verbal Command: “No hit, play on.”
Hand Signal: Horizontal forearm sweep.
Block
Verbal Command: “Block, play on.”
Hand Signal: Gesture a ball shape with both hands.
Face Shot (junior-specific)
Verbal Command: “Face shot, play on.”
Hand Signal: Touch face.
Hit Made with Inactive Ball
Verbal Command: “Ball not activated, player X stay in.”
Hand Signal: Make circle with both hands then wipe away horizontally.