1. Each team starts behind the back line on their respective sides.
2. Once the referee whistles the start of the game, each team’s rushers will run to grab the three balls designated for their side.
   1. Each team will go for the balls to their right.
   
3. The rushers must clear the attack lines with their body, after retrieving their balls, before being able to throw towards the opposing team.
4. The team with the burden ball (odd-colored ball) and two matching colored balls must throw before the 10 second count is completed by the referees.
   1. This also applies to teams that have the majority of the balls. So if a team has 4 balls and none are the burden ball, they still must throw before the completion of the 10 second count.
   2. The team that has the burden to throw is considered to have ball control.
   

1. Whenever a player is hit by an active ball, that player is out.
   1. There are multiple conditions to determine if a ball is active, but the most important determination is if it has been thrown by an active player on the opposing team and if it did not hit an inactive object (floor, wall, inactive player or ball) before hitting you.
   2. If an active ball hits multiple players before becoming inactive, then all of those players are out.
   3. A ball deflected/blocked by a ball is still active and can still get you or your teammate(s) out.
2. If a player catches an opposing player’s throw, the thrower is out and a player from the catcher’s team out line can come in.
   1. A player is able to catch any live ball thrown by the opposing team.
   2. If the catch came from a ball hitting a teammate, then their teammate is safe as well.
   3. Both feet must be inbounds for a catch to count.

1. A team scores a point every time they successfully get out every single member of the opposing team‍
2. Matches are either timed or a “best of” series
   1. At the end of a timed match, the team with the most points wins
   2. A series is won by whoever reaches the target goal first
   1. Example: Best 2 of 3

The standard court dimensions are 50 ft. by 25 ft. with a center line and a 10 ft. neutral zone around it. International dimensions vary. Many recreational leagues do not have a neutral zone and have only the center line to divide the court.

• The center line is used for ball placement at the opening rush.
• 3 balls (6 total) are placed on each opposite side of the center line
• The neutral zone boundaries are also considered the attack/clear line.

Each team must have four to six players on the court with three females and three males on court for co-ed divisions. Leagues around the country alter their team size and gender requirements for coed at their discretion.

Each player has different unofficial positions that players refer to.

• The two players on the outside are called wings, corners, or snipers
• The center two players are considered the mids
• The remaining two players are your support

There are multiple ball types used Nationally and Internationally but there are 4 commonly used in the United States tournament circuit

1. Foam: Soft foam with outer coating to seal. Used in International Competition at the World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF) World Championships. Sold by USA Dodgeball.
2. No-Sting: Soft rubber typically inflated to 7”. Ideal for anyone to pick up and throw/play with ease. Sold by member league WeHo Dodgeball.
3. Cloth: Rubber ball covered in cloth and inflated to 8”, similar to a water polo ball. Used in International Competition at the World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF) World Championships. Main ball type used by the European Dodgeball Federation.
4. Foam: Soft foam with outer coating to seal. Used in International Competition at the World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF) World Championships. Sold by USA Dodgeball.