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Monmouth University Athletics

INTRAMURAL DODGEBALL INFORMATION

INTRAMURAL DODGEBALL INFORMATION

Monmouth Intramural Dodgeball

DODGEBALL RULES:

The following is an abbreviated version of the rules printed in the Official NADA Rule Book.

THE TEAM
Teams will be made up of 6-10 players. Six (6) players will compete on a side; others will be available as substitutes. Substitutes may enter the game only during timeouts or in the case of injury.

THE FIELD
The game may be played indoors or outdoors. The playing field shall be a rectangle at least 50 ft long and at least 30 ft wide, divided into two (2) equal sections by a center-line and attack-lines 3m from, and parallel to the centerline.

IDEAL MEASUREMENTS:
60’ x 30’ – Identical to a volleyball court.

THE EQUIPMENT
The official ball used in tournament and league play will be an 8" rubber-coated foam ball.

THE GAME
The team winning the coin toss will have choice of sides to begin the match. Teams will alternate sides following each game. The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them "OUT." This may be done by: 

  1. Hitting an opposing player with a LIVE thrown ball below the shoulders.
  2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground.
  3. Causing an opponent to drop a held ball as a result of contact by a thrown LIVE ball. 
  4. An opposing player stepping out of bounds.
  5. Definition of LIVE: A ball that has been thrown and has not touched anything, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, official or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc) A player may block a thrown ball with a ball being held, provided the holder does not lose control of the held ball as a result of the contact with the thrown ball. The held ball does not need to strike the ground to cause the holder to be out, only be knocked loose of the holder's grip. Even if the holder regains control of the held ball, they are still out. Any actions by the holder after the initial loss of control are ignored.

Note: A player may drop the ball they have used to block a LIVE ball, in order to catch the deflected ball. Officials must be sure to recognize the difference between a loose ball and an intentionally dropped ball.

A live ball deflecting off a held ball and/or striking the holder remains live only to the holder. Following the deflection/striking of the holder, a) the holder legally catches the live ball, or b) the live ball becomes dead by contacting the ground, another player, a non-held ball or a ball held by another player, official or other object. RESULT: in a, the thrower is out. In b, the holder is out. A live ball deflecting off the body of Player "A" remains live only to Player "A". If "A" legally catches the deflected ball, the thrower is out. Teammates of "A" may not legally catch the deflected ball. In fact, touching of the deflected ball by another player causes it to become dead.

Once a player is OUT, he or she must drop the ball in hand and exit the playing field at the nearest sideline. If an OUT player intentionally contacts a live ball before exiting the playing field, opponents will be awarded a free throw.

BOUNDARIES
During play, all players must remain within the boundary lines. Players may leave the boundaries through their end-line only to retrieve stray balls. They must also return through their end-line.

THE OPENING RUSH
Game begins by placing the dodgeballs along the center line – three (3) on one side of the center hash and three (3) on the other. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the official, teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest. Teams may only retrieve the three (3) balls to their right of the center hash. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken behind the attack-line before it can be legally thrown. A False Start will be called if players cross their end line prior to the official's signal to start the game. Result: Play will be stopped and all balls from the offending team's side will be moved to opponent's side of the hashmark.
Every ball retrieved at the opening rush must first be taken beyond the attack line and into the team's backcourt before it may be legally thrown at an opponent.
Once the ball is moved beyond the attack line it may be thrown from anywhere on the court, short of center, including in front of the attackline. Attack line restrictions end when all balls have been taken into the backcourt following the Opening Rush.

TIMING AND WINNING A GAME
The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. A 15-minute time limit has been established for each contest. At the end of the 15 minutes, the team with the greater number of wins in that 15 minutes will be declared the winner. In the case of an equal number of players remaining after regulation, a 1-minute sudden-death overtime period will be played.

TIME-OUTS & SUBSTITUTIONS
Each team will be allowed one (1) 30 second timeout per game. At this time a team may not substitute players into the game. A timeout must be called during a dead ball.
STALLING & 5-SECOND VIOLATION In order to reduce stalling, a violation will be called if a team in the lead controls all six (6) balls on their side of the court for more than 5 seconds. A team may avoid a 5 second violation by throwing or rolling a ball into the opponent's backcourt. This does not include throwing or rolling a ball into the opponents out of bounds area.

PENALTY FOR 5 SECOND VIOLATION
1st Violation: Stoppage of play and balls are divided evenly.
2nd Violation: Free Throw for the opposing team.
A Free Throw is an unobstructed throw at their opponents without risk of elimination. Rules will be enforced primarily by the "honor system."* Players will be expected to rule whether or not a hit was legal or whether they were legally eliminated. All contests will be supervised by a court monitor. * The court monitor’s responsibility will be to rule on any situation in which teams cannot agree. THE COURT MONITOR’S DECISION IS FINAL – NO EXCEPTIONS. * NOTE: During tournament play, All Semi-Final and Final Round matches will be officiated by no less than three officials. These officials will rule on all legal hits, out-of-bounds and 5-second violations. N.A.D.A. Code of Conduct Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match whether in victory or defeat. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control. Do not taunt or bait opponents and refrain from using foul or abusive language.