Dodgeball·Playground Games

Dodgeball

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Wikipedia — Dodgeball (playground variant; WDBF governs the formal sport)· 1.0Open source

New to Dodgeball?

Start with our beginner-friendly guide — simplified rules and essential steps.

Beginner Guide

At a glanceEverything you need to set up a game

2–10 players

Players

Indoor / Outdoor

Environment

ball

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Section 1: Introduction

Overview

Dodgeball is a fast-paced team sport in which players attempt to eliminate opponents by hitting them with thrown balls while simultaneously avoiding being hit themselves. The game is widely played in schools, recreation leagues, and organized competitions around the world. Its combination of athleticism, strategy, and teamwork makes it one of the most popular gymnasium and playground games.

History

Dodgeball has roots dating back hundreds of years, with variations played across many cultures. The modern version of the game became a staple of physical education programs in North America during the 20th century. In recent decades, organized adult dodgeball leagues and tournaments have grown in popularity, with governing bodies such as the World Dodgeball Federation (WDF) and the National Dodgeball League (NDL) establishing standardized competitive rules.

Spirit of the Game

Dodgeball is meant to be an inclusive, high-energy activity that emphasizes fair play, sportsmanship, and fun. Players are expected to call themselves out honestly, respect opponents, and prioritize safety at all times. The game rewards agility, throwing accuracy, catching ability, and team coordination.

Section 2: Equipment

Balls

Standard balls: 6 foam or rubber balls per game (the most common setup)
Size: Approximately 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter for standard play; smaller balls (5-6 inches) may be used for younger players
Material: Soft foam, rubber-coated foam, or cloth-covered foam. Hard rubber balls are discouraged for safety reasons
Weight: Lightweight enough to be thrown comfortably but heavy enough to travel accurately across the court

Player Attire

Athletic clothing suitable for running, jumping, and dodging
Non-marking athletic shoes with good grip (indoor courts)
Team jerseys, pinnies, or matching shirts for organized play
No jewelry, watches, or accessories that could cause injury

Optional Equipment

Knee pads for players who prefer to dive or slide
Scoreboard or score sheet for tournaments
Whistle for referees and officials
Boundary markers (cones, tape, or painted lines)
Timer or game clock for timed matches

Section 3: Playing Area

Court Dimensions

Standard court: Rectangular, approximately 60 feet (18 m) long by 30 feet (9 m) wide
Center line: Divides the court into two equal halves; players may not cross this line during play
Attack line: Located approximately 10 feet (3 m) from the center line on each side; some rulesets require players to be behind this line before the opening rush
End lines: Mark the back boundary of each team's half
Side lines: Mark the lateral boundaries of the court

Ball Placement

At the start of each game, all 6 balls are placed evenly along the center line
Typically, 3 balls are placed on the right side and 3 on the left side of the center line
Teams line up on their respective end lines before the opening rush

Indoor vs. Outdoor Play

Indoor: Gymnasiums with hardwood or rubber flooring are the most common setting. Walls may or may not be in play depending on house rules
Outdoor: Grass fields, asphalt courts, or sand courts. Boundaries should be clearly marked with cones or chalk. Wind conditions may affect ball flight
Adapted spaces: Smaller courts (such as half-gym setups) can be used for fewer players; adjust ball count accordingly

Section 4: Players & Officials

Team Composition

Standard team size: 6 players per team on the court at a time
Recreational play: Teams of 6 to 10 players are common; larger groups can be accommodated by increasing court size
Substitutes: In organized leagues, teams may carry additional players who rotate in between games or sets
Mixed teams: Dodgeball is commonly played as a co-ed sport with no restrictions on team gender composition

Player Roles

Throwers: Players who focus on eliminating opponents with accurate throws
Catchers: Players who specialize in catching incoming balls to eliminate throwers and revive teammates
Dodgers: Agile players who prioritize evasion and survival
Distributors: Players who gather loose balls and quickly pass them to teammates in better throwing positions

In practice, most players perform all of these roles throughout a game depending on the situation.

Officials

Head referee: Controls the game, signals the start and end of play, and makes final rulings on disputed calls
Line judges (optional): Positioned along the sidelines and end lines to call boundary violations and close plays
Scorekeeper (optional): Tracks eliminated and active players, game scores, and time remaining
Casual play: Self-officiated; players are expected to honestly call themselves out when hit

Section 5: Rules of Play

Opening Rush

Both teams line up behind their respective end lines
On the referee's signal (whistle or verbal "Go!"), players sprint toward the center line to retrieve balls
Players may only initially retrieve balls placed on their right side of the court
All balls retrieved during the opening rush must be taken behind the attack line before they can be thrown at opponents

Eliminating Opponents

A player is eliminated (out) when any of the following occurs:

Hit by a thrown ball: A thrown ball strikes the player anywhere on their body or clothing before touching the ground, a wall, or another object. Hits must be below the shoulders to count (see Headshot Rule below)
Ball is caught: An opponent catches a ball the player has thrown before it touches the ground or any other surface. The thrower is out, and one eliminated teammate of the catching team returns to play
Crossing the center line: A player steps over or beyond the center line onto the opponent's side
Stepping out of bounds: A player steps outside the side lines or end lines of their half

The Headshot Rule

Hits to the head and face are treated differently for safety:

If a player is hit in the head while standing upright, the throw does not count and the target player remains in the game
If a player deliberately ducks or dives into a low position and is then hit in the head, the hit does count and the target is out (they put themselves in that position)
If a thrower is deemed to have intentionally targeted the head, the thrower is eliminated instead of the target
The referee's judgment is final on all headshot calls

Catching

A clean catch (ball does not touch the ground or any other surface) eliminates the thrower
Upon a successful catch, one previously eliminated teammate from the catching team re-enters the game, returning in the order they were eliminated (first out, first back in)
If a player attempts a catch and drops the ball, that player is eliminated
A ball that deflects off one player and is caught by a teammate before touching the ground counts as a valid catch; the thrower is out and a teammate returns

Deflections and Blocking

Players may use a held ball to deflect or block an incoming thrown ball
If the blocking ball is knocked out of the defender's hands by the impact, the defender is eliminated
If the deflected ball hits another player before touching the ground, that player is eliminated
A deflected ball that is caught before touching the ground still counts as a valid catch

Dead Balls

A ball is considered "dead" and cannot eliminate a player when:

It has touched the ground, a wall, the ceiling, or any other surface
It has already hit a player (the ball is dead after the first contact)
It was kicked rather than thrown
It was thrown by a player who was already out at the time of the throw

Ball Possession and Stalling

Players may hold a maximum of one ball at a time (some rulesets allow holding two)
A player may not hold a ball for longer than 10 seconds; after 10 seconds they must throw it or roll it to the opposing side
If a team holds all available balls and does not throw within 5 seconds, the balls are forfeited to the opposing team

Popular Variations

Prison Ball (Jailbreak)

Eliminated players go to a "prison" area behind the opposing team's end line
Prisoners can re-enter the game if they catch a ball thrown to them by a teammate or if they retrieve a loose ball and hit an opponent from behind
The game ends when all members of one team are in prison

Doctor Dodgeball

Each team secretly designates one player as the "Doctor" before the game begins
The Doctor can revive eliminated teammates by tagging them (without being seen by the opposing team)
If the Doctor is eliminated, no further revivals are possible for that team
Teams must guard and protect their Doctor's identity

Trampoline Dodgeball

Played on a court with interconnected trampolines
Players can bounce and perform aerial maneuvers to dodge or throw
Standard dodgeball elimination rules apply
Additional safety rules are enforced due to the elevated risk of injury

Medic Dodgeball

Similar to Doctor Dodgeball, but the medic is publicly known
The medic can revive teammates by touching them and escorting them to the back wall
Once the medic is eliminated, the team loses revival ability

King's Court

One player is designated as the "King" on each team
When the King is eliminated, the entire team loses regardless of remaining players
The King's identity may be secret or publicly known depending on house rules

Section 6: Scoring

Elimination Victory

The primary win condition in dodgeball is elimination: the last team with one or more players remaining on the court wins the game. A team wins the round the moment all opposing players have been eliminated.

Timed Games

In organized and tournament play, games may have a time limit (commonly 5 to 10 minutes per round)
If time expires before one team is fully eliminated, the team with more active players remaining on the court wins that round
If both teams have the same number of active players when time expires, the round is declared a draw (or a sudden-death overtime ball is used)

Match Format

Best-of series: Matches are typically played as a best-of-3, best-of-5, or best-of-7 series of rounds
Point-based: Some leagues award 1 point per round won. The team with the most points at the end of the match wins
Swiss or bracket: In tournaments, teams advance through Swiss-system pairings or single/double-elimination brackets

Tiebreakers

If a match is tied after all rounds, a sudden-death round is played with fewer balls and a shorter time limit
Some leagues use "last ball" tiebreakers: one ball, one player per team, winner takes the match

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Common Violations

Crossing the center line: Stepping onto or beyond the center line during play. The offending player is immediately eliminated
Out of bounds: Stepping outside the court boundaries. The offending player is immediately eliminated
Stalling: Holding a ball for longer than the allowed time (typically 10 seconds). The ball is forfeited to the opposing team
Intentional headshot: Deliberately throwing at an opponent's head or face. The thrower is eliminated
Kicking the ball: Players may not kick balls at opponents. A kicked ball is dead and cannot eliminate anyone
Illegal opening rush: Crossing the end line before the start signal or retrieving a ball from the wrong side. The player must return the ball and retreat to the end line
Hiding the ball: Concealing the ball under clothing or behind the body to deceive opponents. The ball is forfeited

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Refusing to call oneself out: Deliberately staying in the game after being clearly hit. Warning on first offense; ejection on repeated offenses
Excessive force: Throwing with intent to injure rather than eliminate. Warning or ejection at the referee's discretion
Verbal abuse: Taunting, threatening, or using offensive language toward opponents, teammates, or officials. Warning, then ejection
Physical contact: Intentionally pushing, tripping, or otherwise making physical contact with another player. Immediate ejection

Penalty Enforcement

Warning: Issued for minor or first-time violations. Player remains in the game
Elimination: The standard penalty for most rule violations. Player is removed for the remainder of the round
Ejection: For serious or repeated violations. Player is removed from the match entirely and may not return
Forfeiture: A team that cannot field the minimum number of players (due to ejections or other reasons) forfeits the match

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Ball Safety

Use only approved foam or rubber-coated balls. Hard rubber, leather, or weighted balls are prohibited
Inspect balls before each game for damage, deflation, or excessive wear
Replace balls that have become too firm, cracked, or irregularly shaped

Physical Preparation

Players should warm up with dynamic stretching and light cardio before playing
Focus warm-up exercises on shoulders, legs, and core muscles used in throwing, dodging, and catching
Cool down with static stretching after play to reduce muscle soreness and injury risk

Court Safety

Ensure the playing surface is clean, dry, and free of debris or obstructions
Maintain adequate clearance around the court boundaries to prevent collisions with walls, bleachers, or equipment
In outdoor settings, check the surface for holes, rocks, or uneven terrain before play
Ensure adequate lighting for visibility, especially in indoor gymnasiums

Injury Prevention

Enforce the headshot rule strictly to protect players' faces and heads
Players should not dive headfirst on hard surfaces; sliding on knees is safer on gym floors
Encourage players to be aware of their surroundings to avoid collisions with teammates or walls
Remove all jewelry, watches, and loose accessories before playing
Players with glasses should consider wearing sports straps or protective eyewear

Age and Skill Adaptations

Young children (under 8): Use softer, lighter balls and smaller courts. Emphasize fun over competition. Consider allowing unlimited catches without elimination
Elementary school (8-12): Standard foam balls with slightly reduced court size. Focus on fair play and inclusion
Teens and adults: Standard rules and equipment. Competitive play with full enforcement of all rules
Adult supervision is recommended for all players under 13 years of age

First Aid

A basic first aid kit should be available at the playing venue
Common dodgeball injuries include jammed fingers, minor bruises, and ankle sprains
Any player who sustains a head injury, feels dizzy, or shows signs of concussion should be immediately removed from play and evaluated
Players should stay hydrated, especially during extended tournament play

Dodgeball

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Full Rulebook(37 sections)

Overview

How to win

The game

Section 1: Introduction

Overview

History

Spirit of the Game

Section 2: Equipment

Balls

Player Attire

Optional Equipment

Section 3: Playing Area

Court Dimensions

Ball Placement

Indoor vs. Outdoor Play

Section 4: Players & Officials

Team Composition

Player Roles

Officials

Section 5: Rules of Play

Opening Rush

Eliminating Opponents

The Headshot Rule

Catching

Deflections and Blocking

Dead Balls

Ball Possession and Stalling

Popular Variations

Prison Ball (Jailbreak)

Doctor Dodgeball

Trampoline Dodgeball

Medic Dodgeball

King's Court

Section 6: Scoring

Elimination Victory

Timed Games

Match Format

Tiebreakers

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Common Violations

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Penalty Enforcement

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Ball Safety

Physical Preparation

Court Safety

Injury Prevention

Age and Skill Adaptations

First Aid

Playing the ball

Fouls & penalties

Equipment

Version History(4)

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