Official Dodge for a Cause Rules

The following is an abbreviated and modified version of the rules printed in the Official NADA Rule Book, and are the official rules for the 2008 Dodge for a Cause tournament.  Each team is responsible for reviewing and understanding the rules before participating in the tournament.

THE TEAM

Teams will be made up of 6-8 players. Six 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 equal sections by a center-line and attack-lines 3m from, and parallel to the centerline.

Dodgeball court 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 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.
   

*Definition: 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)

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. Teams may only retrieve the three (3) balls to their right of the center hash. This signal officially starts the contest. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken behind the attack-line before it can be legally thrown.

TIMING AND WINNING A GAME

The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. A five-minute time limit has been established for each contest. If neither team has been eliminated at the end of the five minutes, the team with the greater number of players remaining will be declared the winner. In the case of an equal number of player/s remaining after regulation, a 1-minute sudden-death overtime period will be played. The player/s remaining on each side will compete in the overtime period and subsequent sudden-death periods will occur if needed.

TIME-OUTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

Each team will be allowed one (1) 30 second timeout per game. At this time a team may substitute players into the game.

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 five seconds. The team controlling all six dodgeballs must return at least one dodgeball beyond the opponent’s attack line. More details can be found in the NADA Rule Book.

RULE ENFORCEMENT

In accord with NADA regulations, Dodge for a Cause operates under the Honor System and participants are expected to compete and comply with tournament rules honestly.

A minimum of three referees officiate each Dodge for a Cause match and will abide by this set of rules to call the games. The officials will rule on all legal hits, out-of-bounds and five-second violations.

The referees’ decisions are final, and arguing calls can lead to a player’s elimination from the game and/or match and/or tournament.

Code of Conduct

1. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game.
2. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and N.A.D.A staff.
3. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match whether in victory or defeat.
4. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control.
5. Do not taunt or bait opponents and refrain from using foul or abusive language.