General Rules:

Dimensions: Dodgeball is played on a basketball court. Players are allowed in the area between the two sidelines as the top-bottom extremes (in the diagram below). The left-right extremes are the following: The wall behind your team's respective side (approximately 4-10 feet behind the endline, depending on the facilities) all the way up to your opponent's free throw line. For example, if an individual was on the North Team, they could fall all the way back to 4-10 feet behind their endline or advance all the way up to the free-throw line in the South Court.

Any player who brings both of his or her feet across any boundary will be considered out.

Beginning the game: An equal number of balls will be placed on both the east and west sides of the Division Line. Preferably, no balls should be places within the center circle. The number of balls ideally should be one ball per person playing, but is subject to availability. After teams are chosen, all persons should report behind their team's respective endline, making sure that they have both feet behind the endline.

When the official marks "Go," players can retrive the ball from the middle. HOWEVER, players may only retrieve balls that are to the right half of the Devision Line as they face their opponent's court. Therefore, a player on the South team may only retrieve balls that are on the eastern side of the center circle, and the North team can only retrieve balls on the western side of the center circle. This rule prevents the possibility of a head-on collision.

Failure of any team member to keep both feet behind the endline prior to the official saying "Go" will result in the loss of ball from the offending team's pile, and the ball will be placed in the other team's pile.

Before a ball can be thrown at an opponent, it must be either carried or passed behind the free throw line of the team who retrieved it.

Gameplay:

If you are hit with a ball thrown by an opponent before it hits the ground (on any part of your body), you are out.

If you catch a ball thrown by an opponent before it hits the ground, the opponent is out.

If a ball hits you and then hits the player next to you before hitting the ground, you are both out. This is known as the pinball machine effect.

If a ball hits the player next to you and you then catch it before hitting the ground, the player who was hit is safe and the oppossing player who threw it is out.

If a ball hits the ball you are holding, you are out. The pinball machine effect is still applicable. Thus, no blocking with the ball.

As soon as a ball hits the wall, basketball goal, ceiling, or another ball in mid-air, the ball is considered dead. Balls released before a player is out.

Based on the above rule, if the ball is considered dead, it can neither be caught for an out or hit someone for an out. Also, if a ball hits an individual, goes up in the air, and hits the wall, the individual is automatically out.

Headshots are strongly discouraged, but will count as an out. An intentional, malicious headshot can be considered poor sportsmanship. The individual who threw the ball may be asked to sit out the rest of the game or leave for the night.

Once out, raise your hands up into the air, proceed back to your endline, and walk out to the sideline. Help your team by retrieving balls that go out of bounds, but do not enter the field of play to retrieve balls. Do not knock down live balls to shield teammates. Also, do not kick or throw balls after you are out. If you have a ball in your hand, immediately drop it.

An individual can carry as many balls as physically possible, however, when a ball is touching a player it is an extension of his or her body.

If two individuals both throw a ball at one another, and the both happen to catch each other's balls, BOTH PLAYERS ARE OUT.

Guidelines:

Please refrain from cursing, screaming, or insulting other players. The Golden Rule will keep Dodgeball fun and as stree-free as possible.

Like any sport, dodgeball leaders will have the final say in any situation. If they call you out, please comply or risk being forced to leave.

Help retrieve balls after the game is complete to facilitate the fast starting of the next game.

When a club meeting is over, please help gather and put the balls away into the ball bags.

Spread the word of the KSU Dodgeball Club to make us a successful club!

NOTE: At the start of each school year, rules will be revised and changed as the club evolves.