The Dodge Ball competition will be held at Priory Methodist Church, Bedford on Saturday 1st December, immediately following the Figure Marching. The expected start time is 3.30, and the competition will finish by 5 pm.
Rules
The playing area, about the size of a badminton court, is divided into four sections as shown below. The different areas will be marked off with cones.
B B |
COURT A |
COURT B |
B A |
Setup
2 (handsized) bouncier balls (about half the size of a football) are used
Teams will consist of between 4 and 6 boys
Companies can enter up to 2 teams
The match will end when either all of one team has been eliminated, or after a predetermined time, in which case the winner is the team with most players still in their court.
Depending on the number of entries, each match will consist of either 1 or 3 ends.
The format of the leagues will be determined by the organiser, depending on the number of entries.
Scoring
[if 3 ends] 1 Point for each 'end' Won, ½ Point for any Draw
[if 1 end] 3 Points for a win, 1 Point for a Draw
The number of players left on the winning team is also recorded (Player Difference), so if the winning team had 4 players left in the court, they will score 4 PD points and the losers -4 PD points.
Playing the game
Each team starts off with all players in their court. Players must not touch the ground outside their court area unless they have been hit. Any player that touches the ground outside either their court or their team's bin (except when moving from the court to the bin) is OUT and must retire to the side of the court and play no further part in that end.
Each team starts with 1 dodgeball (so game starts with 2 dodgeballs in play).
Balls are thrown to hit opposing team members below the WAIST.
When players are hit they go to the bin area behind the opponents line, and get there by going around the outside of the court. From this position they can continue to attack the opposite team.
Players may try to block by using their hands and arms.
Play is continuous unless the referee calls a time-out.
Winners are the first team to knock all the opposing team into the bin area (or out).
Players can retrieve the dodgeball from the bin, the off court areas or from the opponents' court as long as their feet to NOT cross the court lines (i.e. their feet do not leave their court).
A ball rebounding off a wall, backboard etc. does not eliminate a player.
There is one referee and 2 assistants for each court. The referee's decision is final. Boys are encouraged to be honest and make the referee's decision easier.
Notes
After the start, it is okay for teams to have both balls on their side of the court;
Players may crouch down to try and defend themselves;
Balls may be thrown directly from the court to the opposite bin without attempting to hit a player on the opposing team.