Dodgeball

From Free net encyclopedia

This article is about the sport. For the 2004 movie, see Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. For the GSN Show, see Extreme Dodgeball.

Dodgeball (or dodge ball) is the name of a traditional elementary school game taught in physical education classes, but also popular in informal settings, often played by schoolchildren on a playground. There are many variations of the game, but all involve some players trying to avoid being hit by a ball, that other players are throwing at them.

Players are usually split into teams, though sometimes play individually. A number (although sometimes only one) of medium-sized rubber balls (the same sort used in four square) are placed in a central location. The objective of each player is to hit an opponent so as to eliminate him or her from the game. The game ends when one player (or team) remains. Foam balls are also sometimes used.

In some variants, catching the ball enacts a reversal; if the target catches (rather than dodges) the ball, the thrower is eliminated. In other variations a catch (in addition to eliminating the thrower) also allows another player from the catching team to re-enter (this was first added in mid-70's in Flint, MI public school). In other variants which don't allow catching, handling the ball counts as a hit, while punching or handling the ball with a closed fist does not. In all versions, a player who steps from his square to the enemy team's square is also eliminated.

One rule variant specifies that players who are hit, instead of stepping off the court, sit down where they are hit. If any of these players should later catch a ball thrown by the opposing team, the opposing thrower is out (and must sit down) and the player who caught the ball is back in.

Some variants play where they play commonly on an indoor basketball court. Players can try to shoot the ball into the hoop on the opponents' team. If it makes it, all players from that team come back in.

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Renaissance

The sport of dodgeball is experiencing new growth in recent years thanks to the release of the 2004 comedy "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story". While the 2004 comedy can be partially attributed to the rebirth of the sport, the resurgence of dodgeball was in full-swing before the movie re-debut in certain areas. Leagues such as the National Amateur Dodgeball Association [Formed in 2000.], and other emerging entities such as the National Dodgeball League, have all existed since before the popularization of the sport through the media. The rebirth of this, and other school yard games, might also be attributed to the growth in popularity of culture, movies, and fashion of past decades such as the 1980s.

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Variations

Several variations of dodgeball include Multi or Socko, Super Dodgeball, Scramble, Pin-Dodge, Dr. Dodgeball, King's Court, King sting, "German" Dodgeball, Barrier Dodgeball, Battleship, Ultraball, and Prison Ball.

Multi or Socko is a schoolyard game played with an 8.5 inch rubber ball. The game takes place on a court with lines marked out like a tennis court. As many as 14 players are divided into two teams. One person from each team is designated the goalie. The two goalies stand at opposing ends of the court. The rest of each goalie's team stands on the other side of the center line. Thus, each goalie is separated from his or her team by the other team's players. Team members throw the ball back and forth with the the team goalie in order to knock out the other team's players - but goalies are not targeted. A player is knocked out if he or she is struck with the ball below the waist or if the player tries to catch a ball thrown by a member of the other team and drops it. When a player is knocked out, he or she becomes another goalie. The object, of course, is to knock out all of the other team's players.

Super Dodgeball is a team-based variation of dodgeball rules involving two [2] teams of six [6] players, and one [1] 8.5 inch rubber playground ball. Super Dodgeball is best played on a tennis court with a dividing net, however, it can be played on any square court that is divided into two [2] equal sections. The rules of this game are based on awarding points, and not the elimination of players. The rules for this game are an adaptation based on the Nintendo game of the same name, Super Dodge Ball, and have been edited and refined over the past 3.5 years by the Jackson Underground Dodgeball League. Each team consists of three [3] or more dodgers, and three [3] throwers per team. Dodgers of one team remain on the inside of one-half a tennis court. Throwers of the same team remain on the outside of one-half a tennis court, on the opposite side of their throwers. [So that both teams of dodgers are surrounded by opponent throwers and dodgers.] [1] Throwers may throw at opponent dodgers, but may not be thrown at. Only dodgers of the opposing team may be thrown at. Dodgers may throw at opposing dodgers. When an opposing player is hit, the team that threw the ball is awarded a point. The first team to ten [10] points wins. Teams must win by at least two [2] points. [10-8, 11-9, 12-10, 13-11, etc.] Matches consist of the best of three games.

Fumbles is a free-for-all schoolyard game that uses a smaller ball, usually a tennis ball or a spaldeen. It can be played anywhere with a relatively high wall, e.g the side of a building. The game starts when a player bounces the ball off the wall. If the ball is caught by another player on the full i.e before it hits the ground then the player who caught the ball will throw it at the player who bounced it off the wall with the intention of hurting them. However, if the 1st player runs to the wall and touches it he is 'safe and the ball cannot be thrown at him. If the ball has bounced off the wall and it hits the ground first before someone catches it the 1st player is also safe. If the player who goes to catch the ball drops it or it hits any part of there body they are said to have 'fumbled' the ball and must attempt to touch the wall before the ball can be thrown at them. The game can also involve double or triple fumbles, i.e the player who moves to recover the ball after the other player has fumbled it also fumbles it, in which case he or she must also attempt to touch the wall as they are also elligible to have the ball thrown at them. This game is played in some Australian schoolyards and is usually prohibited due to the ball being thrown hard at people with the intention of pain, but this does not stop it from being played.


Scramble, or sometimes in the Midwest it is known as "Scatter", is an every-player-for-himself variation which starts with a jump ball. The first player to possess the ball becomes the attacker and attempts to eliminate all the other players. No other player is allowed to possess the ball unless it is the result of a catch, in which the attacker is eliminated, every player that said attacker eliminated returns to the game, and the catcher becomes the new attacker. The player who successfully eliminates all other opponents is the winner.

Pin-Dodge or "Pinball" is played like standard dodgeball, except that each team has four wooden pins (like bowling pins, but narrower and more easily knocked over) at the back of their side of the court. If a team's pin gets knocked over, either by accident or by a ball thrown by the other team, all players on the other team return to play. Once knocked over, a pin must stay down. The game ends when all of a team's players are eliminated, or (more often) when all of a team's pins are knocked over.

Dr. Dodgeball (also known as Medic Dr. Dodge or "Doctor Doctor") involves a leader in each team who tries to avoid getting hit. When players are hit, they fall on the ground and waits for "Dr. Dodgeball" to come and save them. When Dr. Dodgeball saves the fallen players, they can get up and play again. The game ends when one team is entirely eliminated, which would happen a lot quicker if a team loses their "doctor", and another variation of the game ends as soon as the doctor is hit. Therefore, it is key for a team to pay attention in order to figure out who the enemy doctor is. Some teams employ a "fake doctor" strategy to throw the opposing team off-guard as to who the doctor actually is.

King's Court also involves a leader. If the leader is hit, the game is over.

"German Dodgeball" is a free-for-all game with no boundaries. The ball cannot be carried, but must be bounced off a wall and caught. When a player is hit, he or she leaves the court and his or her victims return to the game. A variation on this is a game termed "Wall Ball"; if someone fails to catch the ball (after an attempt to catch it and touches it without the result of a catch) then they must endeavour to get to the wall before another player strikes them with the ball. More often than not the ball is thrown as hard as possible for incentive. If one is struck before getting to the wall then they are out. The winner is the last man standing.

Prisonball (also known as Nationball, Battleball, Teamball, Crossfire; King's Court in Canada and Queimada or Queimado in Brazil and Heaven in New Zealand) is played much like dodgeball, but when a player is hit, he gets put in "prison" behind the opposing team. To get out of prison, he must hit the opposing team from behind. This puts a lot more pressure on the teams as they can be sandwiched between enemies. In all except Prisonball though, "prisoners" remain behind the opposing team until the game is over. Furthermore, in "prisonball," a ball thrown to a "prison," when caught, releases all the "prisoners" to return to their original side.

Munkenai is a variation of Prisonball in which teams face off on a rectangular playing court somewhat smaller than a full basketball court and composed of four areas. Teams begin with all players in the two, larger partitions in the middle. Players in this area who are hit by the rubber ball (about the size of a basketball) or whose toss is caught are declared "out" and must cross to the opposite end of the court, behind their opponents. Players who stepped out of bounds were also declared out. Players who have moved to the rear sections of the court could retrieve loose balls, but would have to return to the rear court before continuing play. They could then throw the ball at the opposing team from behind. Only players in the middle sections could be targeted. Depending on the size of the teams, up to five balls would be in play at one time. Once out, players stayed out, but continued the game from the rear court until a winner was declared.

Court Dodgeball is played with two people on either end of a circle with one or two balls while everyone else is in the middle. When one person is hit they are then out and must join the others around the circle throwing the ball(s) at the other players.

Space Dodgeball is set up like so:(X=Team 1|A=Team 2|O=Balls). 

                                                    A O X O A
                                                    X O A   X
                                                    A   X O A
                                                    X O A O X

It is played with both teams on one half of a Basketball Court. You can be attacked from any direction. Besides that, the rules are the same as regular dodgeball.

"Army Dodge Ball" Involves no true teams but is more of a free for all. Players who are hit in the legs or arms lose the use of that limb. If they are hit in the head or torso they are out. If they catch a ball thrown by another player he is not out but they regain one of their "missing" limbs. Last one standing wins.

In the county of Cornwall in England, there remains a regional version of the game called Cornish Dodgeball. It is practically the same as the standard version but there are strict time limits on throwing the ball and defending. It requires very strong anaerobic and aerobic stamina.

Sticks has two phases to the game. In the 1st phase, two popsicle sticks are adjacently placed parallel on the ground leaning against a wall, supporting a horizontal half-length crosspiece. One team (the throwers) take turns attempting to strike the sticks with a ball from a fixed distance, while the other team (the catchers) try to catch the ball on the rebound off the wall before it hits the ground. If the ball is caught, the thrower is out. If not caught, the thrower goes to the back of the not-out throwers' queue awaiting another turn. The 1st phase ends when a thrower strikes the sticks. If the ball is caught after hitting the sticks, the entire throwing team is out, and the teams swap roles. If the ball is not caught after hitting the sticks, the game proceeds to the dodgeball phase, the catchers attempting to strike the throwers while the throwers attempt to reassemble the sticks. When all throwers have been struck or the sticks are reassembled, the teams swap roles and the game returns to the 1st phase. In the non-team version of the game, throwers caught or players struck join the other team; the 1st player struck during the dodgeball phase becomes the sole initial catcher on return to the 1st phase.

Trench is a variation typically played inside of a large gym (spanning two basketball courts). The dividing line is the center line of one of the basketball courts (imaginarily spread across the gym). Both teams start on a line roughly 8-10 feet away from the center, where several balls are placed. When the whistle is blown, players run to grab those balls and a game of standard dodgeball begins, with one exception. Any time a player is hit, he must go stand behind the opposing team in the trench, a designated area, usually the out of bounds portion of that side of the basketball court. If a player in the trench catches a ball from one of his teammates, he can re-enter the game and is not a valid target until he is back on his side (but he can be eliminated as soon as he steps over that center line again). Play continues until one team has wiped out the other team.

A variation of Trench is Capture the Flag, which is played the same way as Trench except that each team has 8-10 flags in the back of their court (usually on the dividing line between the trench and the team's field of play). A player can attempt to steal an opposing team's flag by running across the center line, retrieving it, and returning it back to a bucket in the back of their court. While on the enemy side, a player can be eliminated only by being tagged. If a player is tagged or eliminated on his side by a ball, he must immediately drop the flag, which can either be picked up by another teammate or returned to its starting position by a member of the enemy team. No more than one flag can be picked up by a single person in one run. A team wins by either eliminating the other team or capturing all of the flags. In some versions of capture the flag, balls are not used, so it cannot be considered dodgeball.

Pin Guard is played with two teams each with a pin and balls. The objective is to knock over the opposing team's pin or eleiminate all players on the other team. Players can get out by getting hit in the head and the player who hit the person is out or also if a ball is thrown and a player catches it, the player who threw it is out.There are several variations such as if the game is played in a gym, then if a player hits the basketball hoop's backboard then that team frees all eliminated players, (this only applies if there is one player left on team). The game is also sometimes played with two pins per team. Pin Guard is sometimes also referred to as Bombardment or Battle Ball.

Ga-ga or GaGa is a form of dodgeball which is played within an octagonal enclosure when available, or in any other space that is completely enclosed by walls. The objective of the game is to eliminate one's opponents by hitting the ball with either an open hand or closed fist into the region at or below his or her knees. That player is then out and must leave the playing area. A player can also be eliminated by having his or her ball caught in the air. Touching the ball twice consecutively without the ball touching another player or the wall is grounds for elimination unless that player is attempting to catch the ball. Carrying, throwing, or catching the ball after a bounce also results in elimination. Hitting the ball out of bounds is grounds for elimination unless it is as the result of a defensive deflection. Pushing a player into the ball and any other physical contact is also a violation. This and other matters of dispute are settled by the game's judges. There is only one ball in play at a time in ga-ga. The game is started either by placing the ball in the center of the octagon with each of the players touching the wall, or by bouning the ball and repeating the word "ga" each time the ball touches the floor. After three bounces the ball is in play and the players may leave the wall. Any player touching the ball or leaving the wall before the third bounce is considered out. This is also the procedure for resuming the game after a stoppage of play. Stoppages of play result from the ball being hit out of bounds or the ball being caught. A player being hit at or below his or her knees is not grounds for a stoppage of play. The winner is the last player left in the playing area. The game can be played with a large group of people playing for themselves, in teams, or one on one.

Barrier Dodgeball is similar to Prison. In Barrier Dodgeball, multiple barriers are set up on each side of the area you are playing in, preferably a large gym that is capable of being divided in half with a partition. Often the partition is broken apart or pulled out partially for a twist. In this version to start the game balls are evenly distributed to both teams, then a referee signals the start. When a person is hit, like Prison Dodgeball, they are sent to the back of the opposing team's side, and can escape if they catch a ball out of the air, and hit the other team from behind. The game ends when one teams` players have all been sent to prison.

Battleship Dodgeball is unique in that you aren't actually trying to sink the other team's ships. It is played in teams so that all of one team's ships are on one side and the others` on the opposite. The ships consist of a mat, which is large enough to fit about 5 people, with 4 pins placed at each corner of the mat. To sink a ship, the opposing team must throw balls and knock over all four of the pins on one of the other team's ships. However, only one person on each ship "crew" may step off the ship, and when he does, he may not throw any balls, and may only collect balls for his ship to use. All other crew members must stay on the ship at all times, and throw balls at the other team's ships. The game is won when one team sinks all of the opponent's ships, or if there is a time limit, and at the end of the limit, the team with the most pins up, not ships, wins.

Ultraball is played outdoors on a field with clearly marked boundaries (preferably a large circle). Players are divided into two teams and available balls are equally distributed. When play begins, normal dodgeball rules apply, with eliminated players leaving the bordered area. Active players can only leave the playing area to retrieve a ball, and can only do so when no player from their team has been eliminated. Holding or tackling players is discouraged, but not prohibited. Ultraball is unique because teams are free to completely encircle their opponents, and there is no rule restricting the distance between opposing players.

PresidentBall is played in a large enclosed room. Two teams are set, Assassins and Presidential Bodyguards. It is preferable that the Assassins have more people, to make the game more balanced. One man in the Presidential Bodyguard side is deemed President, and all other players must refer to him/her as President (insert last name). The President only has one life, and the bodyguards all have three lives. The assassins have one life. Normal dodgeball rules apply -- lives are lost when one gets hit by a ball or when one throws a ball that has been caught by the opposition. Note, however, that the President can catch the ball, but not throw it. If he/she catches the ball, it must be handed off to a bodyguard, unless all the bodyguards are killed. Once a player's life/lives have been extinguished, he/she must leave the field of play and watch the game. The assassins win when the President has been hit with the ball (though bodyguards may still be alive). The Presidential Entourage wins when all the assassins have been eliminated. The bodyguards, because they have three lives, may, as a strategy, form a protective wall around the president and lure the assassins into throwing the ball at them. The ball can be passed around amongst teammates in order to try and confuse the other team.

JailBall follows the same rules as normal Dodgeball, except that it encorporates the goal boxes on either end of the court; they are referred to as "jails." When a play is gotten out, he will go to this "jail." In order for a player to get out of jail he must use a ball to get a player on the opposing team out, at which point the player is released from jail to play once more, and the other player goes to jail. This version dates back to 1979.

"Kingdom Dodgeball" has many rules and is hard to understand. First, each team has a leader, when the leader is hit twice his team loses. The "King" cannot throw a ball, but he may have a body guard. There is a "Doctor" who, similar to "Doctor-Doctor" may touch a team member to heal him if he is out. The "Reaper" is not assigned a team. In the beginning of the game he will stand in the middle of the field and wait to be hit. When he is hit, the person that hit him tells him to attack a certain player. The "Reaper" will then walk to the targeted player, only a ball from the targeted player will stop the "Reaper" who will then take orders form that player.

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Controversy

Dodgeball, when it emerged, was touted as the "nerd's sport". Since players normally were not part of a team, no player had to endure the teasing that would fall upon a player accused of "causing the team to lose". As well, the game was seen as having a light-hearted and self-deprecatory nature and, therefore, more amenable to non-athletic students. Dodgeball advocates also argue that dodgeball is a way for more aggressive students to use their violent energy on soft foam balls, rather than with their fists when they aren't under the supervision of a gym class teacher.

However, dodgeball has come under attack for failing to meet the needs of precisely those students. Opponents of dodgeball have argued that the game provides, for bullies, the excuse to abuse unathletic and unpopular students, by throwing the ball hard enough to cause injury. The aim of the variant King sting or Brandings is to throw the ball at others as hard as possible. In some cases, the rule may be used that a player hit above the shoulders is not out; this discourages the dangerous practice of aiming for the face.

After a series of publicized dodgeball injuries in the late 1990s and early 2000s, many schools have removed the game from their physical-education requirements, and some have even banned the game entirely. On November 18, 2002, the state of New Jersey banned the game from public schools. New York followed suit shortly after.

Many other schools, however, have taken a more moderate approach, allowing dodgeball by using soft foam balls instead of harder rubber balls. Most of these schools also instigate a variation on the "head shot" rule, where a person that throws a head shot is called out, much as if his victim had caught the ball.

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College Dodgeball

While the game of dodgeball has been met with disfavor in public schools, the game has enjoyed a rise in popularity among college-aged students. Many campuses across the nation have intramural programs and a number of institutions have dodgeball teams at the club sport level. Most of these schools are located in the Midwest United States and are members of the aptly-named Midwest Dodgeball Conference, a collective organization that oversees scheduling of matches, tournaments and the standardizing of college dodgeball rules.

Despite, or perhaps in spite, of dodgeball's banning in several public grade schools for its propensity for violent behavior, most college dodgeball players prefer to use the "classic" playground ball as opposed to the foam-padded balls used by the National Amateur Dodgeball Association and the allowing of balls to be thrown at players' heads. Aleks Bomis, founder of Michigan State University's dodgeball team, has often been quoted as saying, "[that] While I understand the need for the (NADA) ruleset for youths and the general public, (college students) are not the general public. We're allegedly in the best shape of our lives, and the way things are (with the MDC rules) there are only two ways you get struck in the head: Either you're not paying attention or you don't even instinctively raise your hands up. In each case, you've only yourself to blame." This attitude has been expressed by all of the teams in the conference and has been the cause of animosity between the MDC and teams with rulesets similar to the NADA.

A second regional dodgeball league is in Boston, MA. The league began with Cambridge-based Lesley College's club dodgeball team before spreading out to neighboring schools. Currently, students from Bentley College and the Art Institute of Boston regularly gather once a week to play. The league is less formal than the MDC and more closely aligned with the NADA ruleset. Occasionally, the three main schools will band together into one team to play a formal match against another school. Previous matches have been against MIT and Harvard. The league ordinarly plays at Lesley College, but has played at both MIT and Bentley in efforts to spread the game.

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Out of School Leagues

In many parts of the United States, college students have formed their own leagues outside of the school systems. One in particular, created and organized by Monmouth University student John Tronolone in September of 2005, has seen the likes of over 130 players in only a seven month span. The group plays weekly on the New Jersey coast where a large majority of the league's players live.

The first gatherings took place at Ocean Road Park, a small secluded park in Spring Lake Heights. As the cold weather approached, the game shifted to Wall High School, a school in which many students previously attended. Oddly enough, this league has never once played indoors, enduring all of mother nature's wrath through the past several months. The initial success came as somewhat of a surprise, but through it brought along a website, event promotional posters, as well as a video documentary.

Each event runs for a few good hours held normally between 7p.m. to about 11p.m. every weekend. Approxiamately 25 to 30 attend each event which provides for a great mix of people; men and women, young and old. Although mainly played by college students around their 20s, players' siblings have joined in on the craze.

As one would expect, many of the games top players come from this tight group of friends. Sniper-rifle Chris Adams, who debuted in the first month, immediately emerged as one of the most respected players in the league's history. His brother, Tom, is arguably the most all-around player, with swift dodges, forceful throws, and glue-like hands for catching. Upon his debut in the league's second month, he was often viewed as the leader of a "new generation." Other top players include John Watters, who when not pitching on his baseball team, has one of the most feared arms in the game. Kevin Fitzpatrick, Kevin Megill Jr., among others, are also well known for powerful throws. One cannot forget however the league's creator, John, who has established himself as one of the greatest the sport has ever seen. Incredible dodges keep him in games longer than most, as well as perhaps the deadliest arm with top speed packed into every throw. But throwing isn't the only talent needed to be a success on the dodgeball court. A standout dodger is high-jumping basketball star Derek Carty, along with two amazing catchers Rob Avakian and Lenin "Lenny" Herrera.

As for the women, they too have emerged as true greats. Sara DeCuir is an all-around star, with a high level of intensity something very few females have acquired. Valerie Winston and Lauren Freda could be the female versions of Chris Adams, whose many secret throws send many to the elimination line [especially when on the same team]. Alison Bertsch and Diana DiBuccio, two long-time veterans, are many a time viewed as the hardest throwing female and best female catcher, respectively.

Off the court, success and longevity have brought along plenty of outside activities in the process. The highly popular "Not JUST a Game" documentary produced and directed by the league's own and Monmouth University graduate, Dan Spengeman, showcases players' many talents as well as gets the inside scoop on the ideas and views of many of the game's finest. The DVD was released to the public in February of 2006.

As of Easter 2006, there have been 35 thrilling, action-packed events. For more information on this specific league, visit East Coast Dodgeball The site is updated by John himself several times a week, packed with event results, release of promotional posters, future dates, and more.

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Leagues

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Terms

Napoleon of the Court or more often simply Napoleon: Most dodgeball teams have at least one boisterous and very talented player who trash talks often, usually in a jovial manner. This player also gives various action directions to the rest of the team during play, like aiming at an individual or launching a teamwide volley. Also, this player is often the last one out during a losing game, displaying a great ability to dodge multiple balls and organize attacks at once, but becoming fatigued quickly in the process.als:Völk de:Völkerball ko:피구 it:Dodgeball he:מחניים (משחק ילדים) nl:Trefbal ja:ドッジボール simple:Dodgeball fi:Polttopallo

Dodgeball has recently taken off in the UK with the governing body UKDBA (United kingdom Dodgeball Assosiation) emerging has the national guidelines, and authority. www.ukdba.org it is now an official sport in the uk and has many teams in the midlands and yorkshire.

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Common Strategies

Note: These strategies apply to the NADA ruleset.

  • Bait-ball: One team member lobs a ball up in the air to distract the other team, while a second team member throws a ball at normal speed in hopes of getting someone out. The name refers to the first ball's status as bait to lure the team's focus away from the second ball.
  • Suicide throw: In some rulesets, individuals can cross the center line while jumping. They are only out when their feet hit the floor. Suiciders take advantage of this by attempting to jump across the center line and throw the ball before their feet hit the ground. This is usually to get closer to an opposing team member in hopes of increasing the likelihood of getting that person out.
  • Peek-a-boo: The name here comes from Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The tactic is very similar to how it is portrayed in the movie. One team member comes up in the shadow of another team member who is currently throwing in order to go unnoticed by the other team. The first team member then goes out from behind the shadow and quickly throws the ball in hopes of surprising the other team.
  • Trick throws: Long wind-ups produce strong throws, but allow the other team to notice that the person is throwing and begin their dodges. To combat this, some dodgeball players develop trick throws that are less powerful but involve a much quicker throwing motion. Examples of these include balls flipped from an underhand or backhand position.
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