Dodgeball Rules
Procedures
1. Each team should have a captain and a team name.
a. The captain’s responsibilities include: making sure each player signs-up on-line (or signs the team entry form), paying the
team’s entry fee, guaranteeing eligibility of the players on their roster, informing their team of the procedures and rules,
being the spokesperson for their team during each game, and controlling the conduct of their team. Each member of the
team must sign the waiver before participating.
2. No jewelry.
3. Any player bleeding must leave the game and is not able to return until the bleeding has stopped and the wound has been covered. If
blood is on the clothes, the player must change before reentering the game.
4. Eligibility:
a. All LSUS undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in classes. All LSUS faculty and staff members employed
during the current semester. LSUHSC students enrolled in the current semester.
b. A valid LSUS or LSUHSC ID MUST be presented to the Recreational Sports staff at check-in. If you do not present
your ID before each game, you WILL NOT be eligible to participate.
c. Players may only play on one team.
d. Players may not switch teams once their name is on a roster.
5. Forfeits
a. If a team fails to begin five minutes after the scheduled starting time, the Recreational Sports Staff may declare the contest
forfeited to the team ready to play. If neither team is ready to play five minutes after the scheduled starting time, a double
forfeit will be declared.
b. Teams will forfeit any games in which they used an ineligible player.
c. If, in the opinion of the officials or supervisor, a team is not playing the game within the spirit of the rules, or according to
acceptable fair play, the game may be stopped and a forfeit declared against one or both teams.
Play
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A team may have up to 10 team members, however, only 6 Players play at one time per team. A minimum of 4 players must be
present to start a game. Substitutes may only enter before a new game.
A match will consist of the best 2 out of 3 games or 3 out of 5 games, depending on the number of teams signed up. The finals will
consist of the best 3 out of 5 games.
A 2 out of 3 rock, paper, scissors match will be conducted by a referee prior to the match to determine choice of ends.
6 balls will be used. Three balls will be placed on each side of the half court center line. Each team must start behind the end line
until the referee signals the start of the game. At the initial start of the game, each team must run for the balls to the right of the hash
mark. The ball may not be thrown until it has been taken behind the attack line.
A team may not hold all six balls for longer than 5 seconds or the team will have to roll two balls to the opposing team.
Players may not hold the ball for longer than 10 seconds, or he/she may be called out.
Players may block other balls with the ball in his/her hand, however, if he/she drops the ball while blocking, the player attempting to
block is out. Once the ball has been blocked it is no longer LIVE.
Players must remain in-bounds except when retrieving a ball out-of-bounds. Players may only retrieve balls out-of-bounds on their
team’s half court. Players may not throw the ball from out-of-bounds or be hit by a ball while out-of-bounds. If a referee believes
you are stalling to avoid from being hit, you will be called out. You must exit and enter through the end line.
If a player steps out-of-bounds to avoid from being hit, the player is out.
Players may not step over the center line, or he/she will be called out.
Players are responsible for being on the “honor system”: leaving the playing area if out. However, there will be referees monitoring
the games and he/she has the right to make calls if the players are not abiding by the rules. The referee’s decision is final.
Once out, players must immediately exit to the sideline.
Players can be “Out” by the following:
 An opponent is hit with a LIVE (a thrown ball that has not touched anything) ball thrown from the opposing team before the ball hits
the ground, the player is out (even if it hits clothing or hair). If a LIVE ball hits a player and then rebounds off and hits another
player before touching the ground, both players are out.
 Hitting a player in the head constitutes as the thrower being out, the player hit is not out. However, if the player ducks to avoid from
being hit and is hit in the head, the player is out.
 Catching a LIVE ball thrown by an opponent on the fly or deflected off another teammate, the thrower is out. If a player is hit
before the teammate catches the ball the player hit and the thrower is out.
o If a teammate catches a LIVE ball thrown by an opponent, one player on the team may enter in the order he/she was OUT.
Enter at the end line.