Email us at:  webmaster@akdodgeball.com    Summary of the Official 2007-2008 Rules - Click Here to download entire rule book Rule 1 - The Game Section 1 - Regulation Games and Match Types A. A regulation match consists of two twelve (12) minute halves. B. A game is played until all opponents on one side have been eliminated. The first team to eliminate all its opponent is declared the winner. C. After all games in the match have been completed. The points are totaled from all games to determine a winner. The team with the highest point total wins the match. Rule 2 - Starting the Game Section 3 - The Rush A. Upon the official’s signal, both teams rush to center court, and attempt to retrieve as many balls as possible. B. The Rush occurs at the beginning of each game or re-set. C. A team may rush with as many or as few player as it wants. D. There is no limit on how many balls an individual player may retrieve. E. Players may not slide or dive to obtain a ball during the Rush. That player will be called “out”. F. Crossing over or stepping on the middle line will result in an “out“, except if pulled across while holding onto a ball. Section 4 - Putting a Ball in Play A. During the Rush, any ball retrieved from the middle line must be returned across the yellow line with both feet, before it may be thrown at an opponent. A ball that hasn’t crossed the yellow line with both feet, is considered a dead ball, any hits or catches will are voided plays. B. Once a ball crosses the yellow line with both feet, it remains in play until the end of the game or until the game is reset and a new Rush is executed. C. There are several ways to put a ball into play following a Rush: 1. A player carries the ball across the yellow line. 2. A player passes the ball to a teammate who is behind or carries it across the yellow line. When passing the ball to a player behind the yellow line, the receiving player must have possession of the ball with two feet behind yellow line before throwing. D. Once a ball is in play, the ball can be taken up to the Middle Line to be thrown. Rule 3 - Throws, Outs, Catches, and Blocking Section 1 - Throws A. Balls may only be thrown at an opponent. A throw may be performed with one or both hands and be overhand, underhand, or side arm. B. Intentionally kicking, kneeing, or heading a ball will result in an “out” for the offending player. An official may assess a Yellow Card for a repeat or flagrant violation. C. A player may not throw or kick a ball once play has stopped or after being called “out.” Actions deemed as flagrant or necessary, may result in a player Yellow Card. Section 2 - Outs A. A player deemed “out” becomes an “Exiting Player” and must exit the court directly from their position to the end of the team’s Queue. B. A player shall be deemed “out” when: 1. Any part of the player’s body is hit by a live ball, including long hair that falls below the shoulders 2. Any article, of a player’s clothing or uniform is hit by a live ball. 3. A player is hit by a live ball rebounding off another player. 4. A live ball they have thrown is caught in flight by a defending player. 5. The player is hit by a live ball rebounding of another ball. Including balls blocked by opponents and/or teammates. 6. The player crossed over the middle line in violation of the middle line rule. 7. An official has deemed that a player has committed a rules violation. 8. The player or team has been charged with a penalty, causing a player to be ejected from the game. Section 3 - Catches A. A catch is deemed valid if: the ball is live, is caught in flight with both feet in fair territory, and is possessed “under control”. A valid “catch” results in an “out” for the attacking player. B. A ball shall be considered “under control” only if it’s transferred to the hand or hands of the player. ( i.e., A ball caught between a players knees, must be transferred to that player’s hands to be consider a valid catch. Should the player drop the ball they are deemed “out”.) An official shall make any determination of “under control”. C. Trapping or catching a ball in flight by pinning it between the floor and the defensive player would render the ball dead. D. If the ball is tipped or rebounded off a defensive player and is caught by another defensive player, the original thrower is deemed “out” and the defensive player originally hit is saved. E. Momentum may carry a player out of bounds while making a catch, providing that control of the ball was established prior to going out of bounds (NFL Rule). However, that defensive player is deemed “out” and a player from the queue comes in. Section 4 - Blocking A. Players can defend themselves by blocking the ball in flight with another ball providing: 1. The blocking player retains control over the ball they are blocking with. A player dropping or loosing possession of the blocking ball is deemed “out” 2. No part of the player’s body may come in contact with the ball while blocking, hands are considered part of the ball. B. Any blocked ball rebounding of another ball is considered live. Any defensive player hit by the rebounding ball is deemed “out”. C. A blocked ball rebounding off another ball is considered a dead ball once it crosses the middle line. D. A blocked ball rebounding off another ball that is caught in flight by a teammate is considered a catch, and the original thrower is deemed “out”. Rule 4 - Out of Bounds A. Both feet must touch ground in fair territory for a player to be considered in bounds. The sidelines and endlines themselves are considered out of bounds. B. The following will actions result in an “out”: 1. A player may not step out of bounds at any time. 2.A player may not step out of bounds to make a catch. Rule 5 - Middle Line A.The player will be called “out” if they step on or over the middle line. A player is considered crossing the middle line if any part of the player’s body touches ground in the opponents territory. B. Players may not slide or dive to obtain a ball during the Rush. C. Players may reach across the middle line to retrieve a ball, provided that no part of their body touches the ground in opponent’s territory. Rule 6 - Suicide A. An airborne attack, where an attacking player may legally cross the middle line to hit an opponent. B.The ball must leave the attackers hand before any part of the player’s body strikes the floor. C. No physical contact may be made between the player and the defending team. Any physical contact results in an “out” for the player deemed responsible for the contact as determined by the official. D. After the suicide attempt, the attacking player is deemed “out” and immediately goes to the Queue. Rule 7 - Headshots A. Headshots are illegal and the following rules apply: 1. A headshot occurs when a player is hit directly in the head by a high thrown ball. Hair up to shoulder length is considered part of the head. 2. A high thrown ball is any ball thrown above the shoulders of the target player in their normal upright standing position. 3. A high thrown ball, which strikes a players while leaping is considered a head shot. A player is considered leaping if one or both feet have left the ground, causing their head to move above its normal upright standing position. 4. A player hit in the head while ducking and/or on the ground is not considered a headshot. The player will be considered ducking if their head position falls below their shoulders in a normal upright standing position. 5. A ball deflected by another ball, player, is no longer considered a high thrown ball. Should the ball strike a player in the head, that player shall be deemed “out” even, if their own block deflected the ball. Rule 8 - Retriever A. Each team can have 2 individuals who retrieve balls that have left the court during match play. B. Players retrieving balls from out of bounds must return the ball through the endline C. A player may toss a ball to another player from out of bounds, however that ball must still cross the endline before it may be put into play.