(Information from the World Dodgeball Association)

How many people can play?

Dodgeball is played between two teams with six players on each team and up to six substitutes.

How do you win?

The objective of dodgeball is to eliminate all player’s on the other team to score points. Teams will score a point for each set they win. At the end of the match, the team with the most points is the winner.

How long does a dodgeball match last?

A dodgeball match is played over two 15 minute halves, with a 5 minute half-time break in between. A match is made up of an indeterminate number of sets; where teams will try to eliminate the other team to score a point. Each set ends when either a team has been completely eliminated or after 3 minutes. If a set lasts 3 minutes, the team with the most players left scores a point. In the case of a tie, both teams are awarded a point.

How does a dodgeball match start?

At the start of each set, all players line up behind their team’s back line and five balls are placed along the centre line. When the referee blows the whistle, players run to the centre of the court to retrieve the balls. This is called the rush. A maximum of 3 players are allowed to rush but may only take the balls designated to their team (on the left) and the ball in the centre, which is open for both teams to retrieve. A ball can only be thrown once it crosses over the team’s attack line. Once a ball crosses the attack line, it is in play for the rest of the set.

How are players eliminated?

A player is eliminated in one of a number of ways:

A ball is thrown and hits an opposition player anywhere on their body.

A thrown ball is caught by an opposition player – the opposition team also gets a player back.

A player crosses over the opposition neutral zone line.

What does a dodgeball court look like?