Dodgeball is a high-energy team sport that involves throwing balls to eliminate opponents while dodging incoming throws yourself.
The origins of dodgeball can be traced back to 19th-century England, but the modern version of the game became popular in the United States in the early 20th century.
The sport was officially codified in the 1930s by gym teacher Phillip Ferguson, who introduced it to schools as a fitness activity.
Today, dodgeball enjoys worldwide popularity, with professional leagues, tournaments, and even international championships.
It’s particularly favored because of its accessibility: it requires minimal equipment, promotes physical fitness, and offers a mix of strategy and fun for players of all skill levels.
How to play it
The version of dodgeball described here is the classic or traditional dodgeball game. This standard format is commonly played in schools, recreational leagues, and casual gatherings.
Dodgeball is typically played on a rectangular court, such as a gym floor, divided into two equal halves by a centerline. Boundary lines mark the edges of the court, beyond which players are considered “out.”
You need two teams of 6 to 10 players each to play this game, though larger games can accommodate more participants. Teams are usually balanced with players of varying abilities.
For equipment, you need 6 rubber or foam dodgeballs, evenly spaced along the centerline at the start of the game. You can also use cones or tape to mark boundaries and zones.
If you have more players, you’ll need additional dodgeballs. As a guideline, you should have half as many balls as the total number of players on both sides.
To decide who starts the game, you can toss a coin to determine which team starts closest to the centerline. Players from both teams then line up at the back of their respective halves.
When the referee blows the whistle, all the players rush to the centerline to grab the dodgeballs.
You can grab as many balls as you can, but you must retreat behind an “attack line” before throwing.
Once you grab a ball, you have to throw it within 5 seconds.You have to aim to hit your opponents with the dodgeballs to eliminate them.
You should aim to throw the ball at your opponent’s waist or below. Do not target the face or head!
Be careful not to throw the ball too hard, as you might accidentally hurt another player
When you throw, your opponents can avoid being hit by dodging, jumping, or diving. However, if one of them steps out of bounds, it will result in their elimination.And vice versa, when it’s your turn to dodge, you also have to use these moves to stay in the game.
If you catch a ball thrown at you, the person who threw it is out, and your team gets to bring back one of your eliminated teammates. So make sure to stay alert and ready to catch.Also, you can use a ball you’re holding to block incoming throws but be careful. If the ball gets knocked out of your hands while blocking, you’ll be out.
If your throw lands outside the court or hits an opponent above the shoulders, it’s considered a fault, and you won’t eliminate anyone. Aim carefully to avoid wasting your throw.The game keeps going until all the players on one team are eliminated, or until the time limit is up, so stay focused and in the game until the end.
Dodgeball games are usually played in a best-of-three or best-of-five format, so you need to win multiple rounds to secure victory.To win a round, your team has to eliminate all the opposing players or have more players left on the court when the time runs out.
Always work together and stay in the game as long as you can.
Special movements you can use while playing it:
- The Spin Throw: You can try performing a spin before you throw the ball.It’s a great way to confuse your opponents and make it harder for them to predict where the ball will go.
- The Jump Dodge: You can use a classic move by jumping to dodge incoming throws, helping you avoid getting hit.
- The Fake Throw: You can pretend to throw the ball to trick your opponents into dodging too early or letting their guard down. It’s a clever way to catch them off guard.
Variants of Dodgeball
Dodgeball has many variations, each offering a unique twist on the traditional game.
Some popular variants include Circular Dodgeball, Prison Dodgeball, Medic Dodgeball, and Four-Corner Dodgeball.
How to Play Circular Dodgeball
Circular Dodgeball is an exciting variation of traditional dodgeball, played on a circular court instead of a rectangular one.
This adaptation introduces new dynamics to the game, emphasizing agility, spatial awareness, and strategic movement.
Most of the steps from classic dodgeball also apply to circular dodgeball, such as equipment, players, throwing, dodging, and catching. However, a few key elements are different, like the circular court layout and the use of a neutral zone.
Steps that are different in circular dodgeball
Field
- Instead of a rectangular court, circular dodgeball is played on a circular court.
- The court has no centerline dividing two halves. Instead, there’s a central neutral zone (a smaller circle in the middle, typically 6 feet (183 cm) in diameter).
- The boundary is a single circle that defines the playable area. Stepping outside this boundary results in elimination.
Starting the Game and Deciding the First Play
- There’s no need for a coin toss to determine which team starts closest to the centerline since the layout doesn’t involve dividing halves.
- All players from both teams start evenly spaced around the edge of the circle, ensuring fair access to dodgeballs.
The Rush
- Players rush to the neutral zone in the center of the circle to grab dodgeballs at the start of the game.
- You can grab as many balls as possible, but you must leave the neutral zone within 5 seconds to avoid stalling.
Throwing
- The same rules for throwing (aiming waist or below, avoiding the face/head, and avoiding excessive force) still apply, but there’s no “attack line” as in the rectangular version.
Dodging
- Since attacks can come from any direction in a circular court, players need to maintain 360-degree awareness to dodge effectively.
- Defensive movement now includes more emphasis on circling or weaving through the court to stay mobile.
How to Play Prison Dodgeball
Prison Dodgeball is a fun variation of dodgeball where eliminated players move to a prison zone behind the opposing team’s court instead of leaving the game entirely.
Teammates can free these players by hitting them with a ball thrown across the court. The game adds an exciting twist, encouraging teamwork and strategy as players balance eliminating opponents with rescuing their teammates.
Most of the steps from standard dodgeball also apply to Prison Dodgeball. Some differences exist, such as the addition of a prison zone where eliminated players wait to be freed.
Steps that are different in prison dodgeball
Prison Zone
- In Prison Dodgeball, eliminated players move to the opposing team’s designated prison zone, typically located behind or on the side of their court.
Freeing Players
- In standard dodgeball, there’s no mechanism for bringing eliminated players back into the game other than catching a ball.
- In Prison Dodgeball, teammates can “free” players from the prison zone by hitting them with a ball thrown across the court or meeting other specific rules (depending on the variation).
Court Layout
- Prison Dodgeball uses the same rectangular court as in the standard version but adds an additional prison area outside the boundaries for each team.
How to Play Medic Dodgeball
Medic Dodgeball is a variation of dodgeball where each team designates a Medic who has the special ability to revive eliminated teammates by touching them.
The game focuses on protecting the Medic while trying to eliminate the opposing team’s Medic to stop their ability to bring players back.
Medic Dodgeball takes the classic dodgeball steps and adds an extra layer of strategy and teamwork by incorporating a Medic.
Steps that are different in medical dodgeball
Role of the Medic
- In standard dodgeball, all players are equal in roles, and once a player is eliminated, they stay out until the next round or are revived by a teammate catching a ball.
- In Medic Dodgeball, each team selects a Medic who has the unique ability to revive eliminated teammates by touching them. The Medic becomes a critical player to protect.
Player Revivals
- Revivals are done by the Medic touching eliminated players, allowing more frequent and strategic returns to play.
Strategy
- Standard dodgeball primarily focuses on eliminating opponents and avoiding elimination.
- In Medic Dodgeball, teams must develop strategies to protect their Medic while attempting to eliminate the other team’s Medic to stop their ability to revive players.
Winning Conditions
- In Medic Dodgeball, the game can shift significantly if a team loses their Medic early, creating higher stakes for both teams.
How to Play Four Square Dodgeball
Four Square Dodgeball expands on the classic dodgeball format by dividing the court into four quadrants and adding multiple teams, creating a more dynamic, strategic, and unpredictable game.
Four Square Dodgeball builds on the classic dodgeball rules and adds more strategy and teamwork by introducing multiple teams and quadrants.
Steps that are different in four square dodgeball
Court Layout
- In standard dodgeball, the court is rectangular and divided into two halves, with each team occupying one side.
- In Four Square Dodgeball, the court is divided into four equal quadrants, with each team occupying one quadrant.
Teams
- Standard dodgeball typically involves two teams competing head-to-head.
- Four Square Dodgeball involves four smaller teams, one in each quadrant, making it a multi-team game.
Gameplay Objective
- In Four Square Dodgeball, the objective is to outlast the other three teams by eliminating their players. The last team with players remaining wins.
Throwing and Targeting
- In Four Square Dodgeball, players can target opponents in any of the other three quadrants, creating more dynamic gameplay and requiring players to stay alert in all directions.
Strategy
- Four Square Dodgeball introduces strategic alliances and decisions, as teams might temporarily cooperate to eliminate a stronger team, knowing they will eventually face each other.
Winning
- In Four Square Dodgeball, the game continues until three of the four teams are completely eliminated, leaving the last team standing as the winner.
Now all that’s left is for you and your friends to decide which type of dodgeball you want to play and then get out there and have fun!