S10 New Rules

Hey VDLers!

If you’ve been looking at the Rules for the first time, or even as a refresher, then you should take note of a few new changes effective immediately!

1.  Some clarification on what to do with balls in possession when going for a catch

Catch #9

In order to make a successful catch, a player must retain possession of all their balls at the time of initial contact.

2.  Also in the realm of catching, here’s what you do when a catch is made and no players walk off

Catch #11

In the case where a catch is made and no player walks off (i.e. the player didn’t see his/her ball get caught)

1. If the catch is observed by referees but the thrower cannot be determined, the referees should pause the game and request for one of the throwers to come off of the court.  Referees can assist by indicating the side that the ball might have come from.
2. If the catch is missed by all referees entirely and no one leaves the court, there is no dispute and play continues.

- This is something that happened a few times last season and just needs a rule put in to facilitate with reffing and minimize disputes.

3.  A few points regarding Attire and Safety

Attire and Safety #1-5

1. Players must wear proper gym strip. Shirtless play is not allowed. Clothing must not endanger the safety of other players.

2. Players may not use clothing or accessories to provide unfair advantage, or unfairly inhibit or assist the movement of the ball to make a catch or throw.

3. Clothing (uniforms and accessories) is considered part of a player’s body

4. Players are not allowed to play with gloves, bare hands only.  Wraps for supporting recovering injuries are acceptable.

5. Proper exercise footwear is required at all times. Sandals, flip flops, marking shoes, dress shoes, and going barefoot are not allowed.

4.  Brush up on your Reffing Protocols guaranteed to make you a better Ref!

Reffing Protocols #8-10

8.    Since VDL plays by the honour system, referees are not to deny a player from calling themselves out, UNLESS the referee is absolutely certain that the player is “safe”.  In that case referees should inform the player to continue playing verbally and/or signaling the “safe” hand signal.

9. Referees are not to consult with any other parties (audiences/other players) on a call; however they are encouraged to consult with each other.  They can also consult any league ops execs for rules clarification.

10.  Referees have the right to restart a play if a call cannot be determined.  Referees are not to restart an entire game from the start, with the exception of an interruption during the Opening Rush (See Glossary)

- Rule #8 is in line with our honour system rule.  We want to avoid the situation where referees deny a weaker player to walk off when there is uncertainty to a play.
- Rule #9: this follows any other sports out there.  The refs’ job is to make calls and providing room for them to consult anyone other than other refs undermines our reffing system, not to mention opening up a lot more potential problems.

5.  So you just threw a headshot. What should you do according to VDL’s Code of Conduct?

Code of Conduct

~If a head shot is thrown, the thrower should immediately apologize and ensure that the apology is received.

The keyword here is that the apology should be received.

6.  We don’t only improve on the game of dodgeball, but also the lingo that goes with it

Glossary

Reset: An attempt to stop the ball count in order to prolong possession. (See “Dead ball” #7)   Any thrown balls towards the other team below 8ft are considered as fair play.

(Dead ball rule #7: Players cannot intentionally put balls out of bounds, or just over the center line to reset the ball count. Those balls will be deemed as dead by the referee and must be turned over to the other team.)

- We are realizing that we cannot control or make calls on horizontal resets. IE.Resetting balls below 8 ft but far away from the player sideways.  So instead of considering these plays are non-spirited, it will be considered as fair play from now on.  4 major reasons to back up why this should be considered as fair play:
1) the defending team (team with less or no balls) lost possession of their balls at some point of the game, so they would have to work for the balls again
2) If both teams have an equal number of balls, it is fair for both sides to throw it in wherever they want as long as it is towards the other team, and below 8 ft.
3) We want to open up the chance for the more speedy and more agile players to retrieve balls.
4) Our rules are set up in favor of the offense

Short and sweet folks!  To check out the rest of the rules in detail, visit our Dodgeball Rules page.  If you have any questions regarding the rules, feel free to ask your friendly neighborhood execs for clarification.

Thanks and have a fantastic season!