Spring 2025 Dodgeball (Thursdays) MUMC

LEAGUE FORMAT

• All teams will compete in an 8v8 coed dodgeball league with a minimum of 7 games per season. League playoffs will be decided by game results. Tie-breakers will be determined by win/loss record, head-to-head, point differential, and total wins/points. Teams will have 10 minutes from the start of their designated game time to gather all of their teammates to start the game. After 10 minutes, the game will be declared forfeit. All balls are foam 7-inch and 8-inch no-sting dodgeballs. What is not covered in the listed rules will be decided by the designated official/SPORTSKIND representative on site.

THE GAME

• Matches will be played in two 20-minute halves and will consist of an indeterminate amount of sets/games. Sets will be played until all of the players on one team are eliminated. If a set reaches the time limit without one of the teams being entirely eliminated, the team with more players will win the set. In the case where both teams have the same number of players, the set will be determined with a sudden death. The score will be totaled by the total number of sets won by each team (this can end in a tie, playoffs cannot).
  • The scoring system is explained below:
    • Win = 3 points
    • Tie = 1 point
    • Loss = 0 points
• At the start of each round if a player gets a ball from the center line it must be taken back to the starting far line before being thrown at the opposing team.
• A game will begin with 8 foam balls with 4 (two 7 and two 8-inch) on the center line and one 7 and one 8-inch in each team's neutral zone.
• All players must wear SPORTSKIND team shirts and closed ­toe shoes.
• Names on shirts, numbers, cut-off sleeves, etc. are permitted as long as they don’t cover the original SPORTSKIND logos.
• A player not wearing a SPORTSKIND league shirt or Championship shirt can still play, however a violation of this rule results in the player sitting out the first 5 min of the game.
• The minimum number of players is six. The maximum number of males is five. The minimum number of females is two.
• Players that arrive late must wait until the next game begins to enter.

SUBSTITUTION RULES

• Substitutions can only be made between games or to replace an injured player. If a male is injured, the last male player out may substitute. If a female is injured, the last female player out may substitute. Teams lose the ability to challenge a player's eligibility after the first match of the game.

TEAMS

• Teams must have a minimum of 12 players on their roster.
• As a co-ed league, the intended format is 5 male players and 3 female players on the court at a time. A minimum of 6 players are needed to play a regulation game, and 4 players must be from the original roster.
• No more than 5 Males are allowed on the court at a time.

STALL

• A referee can call “stall” if the following occurs:
  • A side has all of the balls.
  • If there is a lack of activity/play.
• Once “stall” is called, those in possession of the ball will have 5 seconds to release the ball.

INITIAL RUSH

• Each game will start with all the players standing at the end line, once the referee reaches the end of the countdown, “ready, set, dodgeball”, they can start running.
• 4 balls on the center-line and two balls in each side neutral zone (even split between 7 and 8-inch balls)
• Players can not throw until they run back to their in-line to activate the game.
• Once the game begins players may only retrieve balls that are on their side of the court.

BOUNDARIES

• A designated SPORTSKIND official/staff member will mark and show boundaries.
• The boundary determines where the players can play.
• The front line determines a neutral zone where players can enter and be protected at the beginning of each match.
• Players can get out in the neutral zone after the initial rush.
• Players can be out for the following boundary violations:
• Players cannot step on or cross the boundaries.
• Players cannot step on or cross onto the other team's side of the court.
• Balls outside of the boundaries can be received by teammates who are “out”, but only on your side of the court.

OUTS

• A player who is called out must drop any held balls and exit the inbound area toward the nearest boundary line. That player should also raise their hand over their head as they exit the inbound area to avoid being targeted by the opposing team. If that player refuses to leave the inbound area or otherwise interferes with the game, he or she may be directed to sit out the next game.
• The only situation in which a player called out may re-enter the game is to replace an injured player.
• Players are out if:
  • You are hit by a live ball.
  • Unless it is a headshot.
  • If a player gets hit on the head and the referee deems it was intentional they’re out.
  • You step on or outside of the boundaries.
  • Players are out if they cross the center line.
  • If a ball hits multiple players, they are all out.
  • If their throw is caught before it bounces off of the floor, wall, or ceiling.
  • If a ball hits the floor, wall, or ceiling, or is blocked, the ball becomes dead.
  • If a player attempts to block the ball with another ball and drops the ball they are possessing.
  • If a player gets hit, and someone else catches it before it hits the ground, the thrower is out.
  • Players cannot throw if they’re in the neutral zone, but they can still get out if they are hit in the neutral zone.
  • Once you are out you are out! No catches will bring players back in.

SCORING

• A win is worth 3 points, a tie is worth 1 point for each team, and a loss is worth 0 points.
• The winner is decided by the total number of games won in a 40-minute match with the above scores.

FOULS AND CARDS

• Refs can penalize players for different transgressions the ref deems actionable.
• Yellow cards will result in the player being out if they are in the match or forced to stay on the sideline for the next match if they are already out.
  • Arguing, Condescending Remarks or Insults, and Taunting against the ref or opposing team.
  • Multiple headshots thrown (intentional).
• Red Cards will result in the player being out of the game entirely: Repeated Yellow Card offenses, Verbal Abuse (Degrading Remarks/Slurs), and Physical Altercations.
  • Multiple red cards in a season will see the player ejected from the league with no refunds.
  • If deemed serious players can be thrown out of the facility.

SUDDEN DEATH/PLAYOFF TIE RULES

• 1v1 (Sudden Death) will be used to determine a match if there is the same number of players remaining when the clock expires. 
  • The courts boundaries will be adjusted to accommodate 1v1 by the SPORTKSIND official.
• Teams will vote for who they want to represent their team.
  • For example, if time expires and team 1 and team 2 have three players left, each team will vote for who they want to represent their team in the 1v1 match.
• If there is a 1v1 situation: 
  • “No Blocking Rule” will be applied.
  • Each player will restart the game, following the “initial rush” rules
• Overtime will be implemented during playoffs if both teams have an even amount of match wins.
  • Overtime will be played as an extra match (normal rules).

FORFEIT POLICY

• Contact us at least 48 hours in advance if you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game. If you know your team has a conflict, let us know before the schedule is released and we will make every effort to accommodate. Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a full squad (or the league minimum of players required according to rules). If at that time a team is unable to field a legal team, they forfeit the game. The teams may utilize the playing field during their allotted time to play an unofficial game. The official score will be marked as a loss with the respective forfeit score (2-0).

OFFICIALS

• The official is the person appointed to control a match. Each referee is a neutral party and is not a member of any competing companies. Their interpretation of the rules stands. They will judge each game consistently throughout the competition.

SPORTSMANSHIP

• We enforce a “Zero Tolerance Policy” in regards to behavior of players, managers, and fans. Taunting, trash talking, or abusive language will not be tolerated.  Officials and league staff will have the right to reprimand or eject players, managers, or fans depending on the severity of the situation. Abusive behavior toward the official will not be tolerated. An ejection carries a one game suspension (including the current game). In extreme cases, the player will be asked to leave the premises without refund. The severity of the punishment will be based on the discretion of the official and league staff.
• Only CAPTAINS of respective teams are allowed to approach the official with questions or concerns in a respective manner. Teams charging the field of play to question or complain a call will be subject to automatic forfeit for that game.
• Alcohol and smoking in the playing facility is prohibited.
• Any rules not covered or protests will be handled by the Official.

LEAGUE AUTHORITY

• FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. ANY INSTANCES OF FIGHTING MAY RESULT IN A TEAM FORFEITING THE LEAGUE WITHOUT REFUND AND POSSIBLE EXPULSIONS FROM FUTURE LEAGUE.
• ALL DECISIONS OF THE LEAGUE STAFF ARE FINAL. THE LEAGUE STAFF SHALL ALSO HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO GAME SCHEDULES, AND GAME DURATION. AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE RULES OR OF THE LEAGUE.