SSC Dodgeball League Rules

Updated – August 2007

GENERAL PLAYING GUIDELINES

The purpose of dodgeball is to eliminate the opposing players from the game by hitting them with the ball (below the shoulders).  The team with the last person still in the game wins that game and receives a point.  6 balls will be used for each game.

LAYOUT OF THE GAME

Before the Game:  Teams meet and all players shake hands before the game

At the Half:  Team captains meet with one another to discuss the game.  Any issues should be brought up respectfully

End of the Game:  All players shake hands and team captains meet up to discuss any issues with the game

• To start a game, each team stands at their respective back wall. The GC will place 3 dodgeballs 5 feet back from the centre line on each half court.   The GC will start the match by shouting “READY, SET, DODGEBALL!”   

• Players will then rush to the balls.

• Players may lean over the half-line to retrieve the ball but may not touch any part of the opponent’s court.  If a player accidentally or intentionally touches the court on their opponent’s half, they are out of that game.

• Players may not remain static in areas that conceal or partially conceal their body.  i.e. door ways or equipment that may be in the gym.

• Eliminated or sub players must not interfere with the play while standing on the sidelines. 

• A ball is considered ‘dead’ as soon as it hits the floor, wall, ceiling or any obstacle in the playing area. A player is NOT eliminated after being hit by a dead ball. 

• Players can not wear gloves while playing dodgeball
  
  

Throwing Balls and Eliminating Players:

• Make sure that a player that has been hit by a ball (is out) raises their hand as they leave the court so that the opponents know not to hit them.
• Players may only be in possession of ONE ball at any given time.  
• Players may not keep possession of the balls in order to stockpile the balls on their side of the court. 
• Players must release a ball within 10 seconds of taking possession.  
• Teams can not use delay tactics by hoarding balls on their side of the court.
• To eliminate a player, a ‘live’ ball must hit the player from the SHOULDERS down. 

Head Shots:  Balls thrown (accidental or intentional) that strike an opponent in the head (above the shoulders) will not be tolerated.  An opponent that is hit in the head is NOT eliminated – but the person who threw the ‘head shot’, is eliminated. Disqualification from the match will occur when ‘a player’ has 2 shots that result in contact above the shoulders during a single match.

• The GC will have the discretion to disqualify players that are intentionally ‘ducking’ into the ball with their head.
• Players may NOT use their head to block a ball
• If a player uses their hand to block a ball coming towards their face, they are not out.  The person throwing the ball should apologize and the game resumes. 

• The first point of contact determines if a player is eliminated.  The ball hits a player’s arm and then hits the player’s head – the player is eliminated.

• If a player catches a ‘live’ ball that is thrown at him/her – the thrower is eliminated.   In addition, the team who caught the ball may return a previously eliminated player back onto the court.    Players who re-enter the game are admitted based on the order they were eliminated (the first person eliminated would be the first to return to the game).

• Players may pass to their teammates by throwing only (you can not kick a ball to a teammate). If the receiving player does not catch or fumbles the ball - the player who attempted the catch is eliminated.

• A player already in possession of a ball can NOT catch another ball.

• A player may not be possession of two balls at one time.  This includes holding one ball and touching another ball.

• Players cannot dribble balls in their possession, this would be considered the same as losing possession of a ball and the player is eliminated.

• Players may use a ball in their possession to block/deflect another ball thrown at them.   However; if that player dropped the ball or it was knocked out of their possession – they are eliminated from the game. 

• A deflected ball is considered to be ‘dead’.   Any player from the non-throwing team that is hit with a deflected ball is not eliminated.

• You cannot save a teammate by catching a deflection in the air.

Throwing Styles:  All throwing styles are legal except the following:

• 360 Degree Spinning Throws
• Throws that involve spinning the body
• Throws made while jumping off the walls or bench

Trick Shots:  The following trick shots are considered illegal:

• Kamikaze:  This is when the thrower jumps over the centre line and throws the ball in the air.  They land on the opponent’s side of the court.  This is also called a suicide play.

Some gymnasiums will have court size restrictions, for gyms that have an out of bounds line, the following ball retrieval rules will apply:

• When a ball rolls out of bounds it must return to the court immediately.
• If there are sub players available: they can retrieve the ball and place it back inside the court boundaries (ball must be placed on the floor by the out of bounds line, it cannot be thrown to a teammate), on the side that it exited.
• If there are NO sub players available: a player on the team (who is on the court) nearest the exited ball MUST raise their hand that they are leaving the playing court to retrieve the ball. This player must proceed directly to the ball and return it to the court, once they have re-entered the playing court they can lower their hand. This player must return to the court from the end line (not the sidelines). WHILE THE HAND IS RAISED FOR BALL RETRIEVAL THIS PLAYER IS NOT IN PLAY, OFFENSIVLEY OR DEFENSIVELY AND CANNOT BE HIT OR HIT ANYONE!

Throwing the ball – the act of throwing the ball is defined as the motion to generate power enough on the ball to make it clear the centre line (in the air) when thrown.

• Rolling the balls to your opponents is only an option when attempting to avoid hoarding the balls
• In EVERY other case if the ball does not clear the centre line before it touches the court (an honest effort to throw the ball that does not make it will not be penalized this way) the player is eliminated – this is covered by the rule of putting down the ball.
  
  

SSC LEAGUE RULES

Multiple Offense Rule:  The GC may eliminate any player from a game, match or competition that they feel is continually abusing the rules and the spirit of the game.  An example is a dodgeball player who dangerously continues to throw the ball.

The SSC does not track individual fouls in basketball, soccer and dodgeball and this rule will be used to curb the aggressive nature of some participants who abuse this fact.  This rule will be enforced strictly at the discretion of the GC.  The GC has the following choices when enforcing this rule:

• Warning – GC can determine how long they would like a player to sit out.
• Penalty – The GC can give the player a one game penalty.
• Ejection – The GC may choose to eject a player from a game or match.  Once a player has been ejected they must leave the gymnasium immediately.

As these penalties can be a result of minor incidents, further action will not necessarily be taken by the SSC.  The SSC does reserve the right to review each situation on a case-by-case basis and if further action is warranted, it will be taken.

ROLE OF THE PLAYERS

All players participating in SSC co-ed leagues are expected to play with respect for everyone at the gym and with a “fun first” attitude. In dodgeball, there is an emphasis on the players knowing the rules and managing their own actions on the floor.

RESPECT YOUR OPPONENTS AND YOUR GC

• Remember that everyone is here to have fun. THIS IS DODGEBALL

• Eliminate yourself if you’ve been hit!   Don’t try to get away with thinking no one else saw it.  Not calling yourself to be eliminated is the ultimate in poor sportsmanship.

• Promote fun and safety throughout the game: let the GC know if you are enjoying an opponent, congratulate your opponent on fun and fair play throughout the night!

• Conduct yourself with maturity if approached regarding your style of play and make any requested changes.

• If you are concerned about a player on the opposing team it is YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY to talk to your team captain so he/she can address the issue.

SPORTSMANSHIP

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

Games Coordinators are required by the SSC to ask players to leave the gym if they are involved with any of the following acts: • Challenging the GC by Questioning Calls or their ability to call a good game. • Swearing directly at another player or the GC • Intentionally pushing, shoving or making physical contact with another player or the GC • Making comments to instigate an altercation with another player or the GC In addition to being dismissed from the game, a one week suspension (or more) may be assigned by the SSC to the involved player or team.

• GC's monitor the games with the objective of making them safe and fun. They are not trained referees - they are sports enthusiasts who are familiar with the SSC Dodgeball Rulebook.
• ALL PLAYERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS BY PLAYING WITH FAIRNESS AND CALLING THEMSELVES ON THEIR OWN FOULS.   PLAYERS MUST TREAT EACH OTHER AND THE GC WITH RESPECT.
• The GCs will step-in when they feel players are not following these guidelines.  The GC's are instructed not to try to justify their decisions to any player and players are asked NOT to question the GCs judgment.

• If a player is ejected from a game due to unsportsmanlike play, they must leave the gym immediately. If they are suspended by the SSC for additional games, they may not watch the game from inside the gym.
• If you see any unsporting behavior from a teammate:
• Remove your teammate for 5 minutes
• If behavior hasn’t improved after the 5 minutes, remove from game

• GC is obligated to step in and handle the situation accordingly
• Lastly, we ask that you refer to the GC by their first name - do not call them "ref".

SPORTSMANSHIP RATINGS AND STANDINGS

Rating Sportsmanship:  Each team will be given 3 sportsmanship ratings per game, one rating from the opponent and two ratings from the GC.  The best rating you can receive per game is +3 , the worst is -3.  The rating judges Spirit of the Game as well as Accountability for calling your own Infractions and Penalties.  The GC will rate each of these areas as separate sscores while the opponent will rate them together. 

“Accountability” Rating:
This part of the rating is based solely on how you felt your opponent took responsibility for calling their own fouls.  A team that does well on Accountability either: committed few or no fouls so it was not an issue, or committed several fouls and made a genuine attempt to call most of them.

“Spirit of the Game” Rating:
This part of the rating is based solely on how Fun your opponent was. A high rating would be for a team that: appeared to put winning second and fun first, encouraged themselves or their opponent in a positive way.

The Sportsmanship Ratings that you receive from the GC and your opponent will affect your ratings and status in the league:

• In any game, should you receive a -1 rating from BOTH the GC and your opponent, your team will automatically lose 1 point in the standings.
• If the above happens a second time, you will lose another point in the standings AND automatically default/forfeit your next game.  Your team will not be allowed to play and we will find a replacement team for your opponent.
• If it happens a third time, your team will be ejected from the league.  There are no refunds for teams who are ejected from the league.   

At any time the SSC may penalize or suspend a team or player for unsporting actions regardless of the ratings given by your opponents or the GC.

The Sportsmanship Rating systems affect on the League Standings:

REALLY REC Divisions: Teams will now receive spirit points in the following 5 categories:

• Accountability: teams are playing by the rules and are conscientious of their infractions.
• Fun and Excitement:  cheering, costumes, and chants, have fun or go home. 
• Attitude:  your teams approach to the game.  Are you there for fun or to win?
• Sociability and Friendliness: this is social club as well, get out there and meet new people.
• Overall Experience (Given by the GC):  The GC will give one rating which encompasses your entire team’s outlook on the game.  If you are here for fun, you are in the right place.

REC Divisions: Sportsmanship ratings will be combined with the game result for total points in the standings. The sportsmanship ratings you receive from the GC and your opponent will be added to the points your team was awarded for the win, tie or loss.

• For example:

Team 1 Wins the Game = 2 Points
                        Full Spirit from their opponents and GC = 3 points
                        Total = 5 points

Team 2 Loses the Game = 0 Points
                             Full Spirit from their opponents and GC = 3 points
                             Total = 3 Points

Team 3 Wins the Game = 2 Points
                             GC and Opponents award a 0, -1, and -1 = -2 Points
                             Team will further lose another point for receiving two -1’s
                             Total = -1 Points

ALL Other Divisions:  A team's ranking in the standings is determined first by the number of games you have won, tied or lost. A team gets 2 points for a win, 1 for a tie and 0 for a loss. Tiebreakers will be determined by sportsmanship ratings then point’s differential.

For full sportsmanship policy, click here

LADY BING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Each season one team will be presented with the Lady Bing Sportsmanship Award. This will be a team who was nominated for EXCEPTIONAL sportsmanship by their peers. The team will be given a few fun things for being such a great team to play! Would you like to nominate a team? Click here.

Reporting Sportsmanship Concerns

• If during the game you have an unresolved concern with the other team, address the issue respectfully with the GC

• If at the end of the game you are required to make known any unresolved issues or concerns regarding the game with the opponent’s captain and the GC.  At this time you must give the other team a spirit rating for the game. 

• If rate your opponent a ‘-1’, you are required to submit a formal complaint online by 5 PM the day.  click here.  If you choose not to submit a report, the rating will be changed to a ‘0’.

The following is an outline of how the SSC handles complaints:  The captain of the team who was issued the complaint will receive feedback from the SSC based on comments from the GC and/or the opponent.  This will be kept on file to compare any future complaints against the same team or player.  At the SSC's sole discretion, the player or team may receive either:

• A warning
• A game misconduct or suspension
• A league ejection

Teams who have been issued a complaint are always welcome to provide their own feedback on the game in relation to the GC or their opponent.

THE GYMS

The SSC is privileged to rent gyms from the City and some private facilities.  Please respect the following policies:

• No outdoor shoes
• No drinking or smoking on school property
• Respect the facility staff and equipment 

GAME FORMAT

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. 
• Matches are one hour in length.  This includes a five minute warm-up and as many 5-minute games that can be played. 
• Each game won will count for 1 point.

• MERCY RULE: If a team gains a lead of 8 games in a match the score will freeze (for reporting) and the two teams may continue to play for fun with no tracking of games

• If a game is still being played when time expires, the team with the most players still in the game will win.   If teams have the same number of players when time is called, the ‘sudden death’ overtime rule will by used.
• Ties are allowed during the regular season.
• For playoffs, regulation time is 50 minutes.   If teams are tied at the end of the regulation time – a 5-minute OT game will be played.   The game will be played until a winner is declared.

GAMES COORDINATORS

• Games Coordinators (GCs) are SSC employees, they are not trained referees.  They are there to encourage sportsmanlike play and to help to keep the games running smoothly.   If players are not calling their own fouls the GC reserves the right to step in and call these fouls.     

• If no GC is present at the game, players must keep time and score during the game.  Captains should confirm the score often during a game, after each goal, at half time and at the end of the game.  Any discrepancies must be dealt with at the game so that the captains report the same score to the SSC the following day by noon.  This can be done by phone 244-7529.  Teams also report their sportsmanship for their opponent at this time.

Game facilitator:

• Pre-Game Intros:  the GC will call in both captains for introductions, define the half court line, and provide facility or league updates and other special notes.

• Managing the Time:  the GC will start the clock at the scheduled start time and manage the time for the remainder of the game.

• Keeping Score:  the GC will keep track of the score. Please confirm with the GC before leaving the gym.

• Between Games:  the GC will act as a ‘mediator’ for the captains between the games for any discussions regarding play or sportsmanship.  The GC will also provide feedback to both teams at this time.

• Disputed Eliminations:  If there is a dispute between players as to whether a player has been eliminated, the GC will make a decision if the players do not immediately come to their own resolution.  The GC’s decision is final – No Exceptions!   If a player chooses to argue with a GC or dispute his/her decision, the GC may issue a game misconduct with recommendations to the league about further actions to be taken.

Help make the game Fun and Safe:

• Eject players who are a threat to the fun or safety of their opponents – the GC is obligated by the SSC to step in and assign a game misconduct if warranted by a player’s actions. A GC cannot allow a player to continue who is jeopardizing the safety or fun of other players. 

• Provide constructive and positive feedback to the players throughout the game.

Game Reports to the SSC:

• At the conclusion of each game, the GC completes the Game Report. This includes: the scores, sportsmanship ratings, notes regarding the game and recommendations on suspensions or contacting teams about their play.

• A major focus of their report and the ratings they give each team is based on how well the team adjusted their style of play after hearing the feedback from an opponent or themselves.

PLAYOFFS

• All teams will qualify for 2 playoff games, held in weeks 8 and 9
• Only the top 4 teams will play for league champs
• Teams are accountable for their actions in playoffs and are expected to maintain a high level of sportsmanship. 

• If a team receives two -1 ratings in a playoff game they automatically lose the game
• If both teams receive two -1 ratings in a playoff game they automatically lose the game and do not continue to play in the finals.

WAIVER

• All players and subs must sign a waiver before playing in our leagues.  This can be filled out online.
• Captains are responsible to ensure that this is done.
• The waiver covers liability and sportsmanship.
• Refunds are generally not issued for players who sustain an injury and are unable to continue play in the league.

ROSTERS

• Complete and accurate team rosters must be submitted for each team.  You can have as many players on your roster as you want to.  The SSC recommends between 9-12 players.

• A team can have a maximum of six players on the court.  Two players must be female. 

• Minimum of FOUR players needed to start and continue a game.  One must be female.   Zero females will be recorded as an automatic default but the SSC recommends still playing for fun! 

• If both captains AGREE to waive the minimum player requirements, they may do so but it must be decided BEFORE the game starts with the GC.  IF IT IS AGREED THE GAMES WILL COUNT, THEY COUNT! 

• The 6 (or less) players that start each game are the ONLY players that can play during that particular game.   Subs may only sub in after a full game has been completed.  
• Exception: Injured players may be subbed out mid-game as long as minimum female requirements are still met. 

SUBS

• The SSC feels that defaults should be prevented whenever possible.
• A team may bring in subs that are not listed on the roster. Subs at any time must not have, or play at, a higher skill level than the player(s) they are replacing.
• You may only borrow players from the previous games to prevent your team from defaulting. You can not add players from a previous game if it increases the number of players on the roster beyond a minimum roster.
• Teams may bring in subs for playoff games but these players must have played during the regular season with the team. If your team is having difficulties meeting the minimum player requirements, please contact the office.
• A sub-list can be requested from the office or you can recruit subs on the player forum. If you recruit a sub, it is your responsibility to ensure they are ready to play (know the rules and have submitted a waiver). 

DEFAULTS

• All teams are to be ready to play at the time listed on the schedule
• At game time any teams not meeting the minimum player requirements will default the game.
• A default is 8-0 with the winning team getting +3 and the losing team getting -3 for spirit. The losing team is charged a default fee.
• A $50 default fee will be charged after each default. Teams must pay the fee before being allowed to play their next games. If a team defaults on a second night, their status in the league will be under review.  The team defaulted against will receive a SSC Gift Certificate in the amount of $25 that can be used towards league or tournament fees in the future. The remaining $25 will be given to a non-profit charity.