New Rules Refresher

Hey VDLers!

If you missed Dodgeball 101 and/or Vets Night last week, or just to get a quick refresher, you’d want to check this out.

1) A new rule regarding eligibility to return to the game from a teammate’s catch

(Catch, #3)

In order to be eligible to return to the game, the player who is out must be at the wall or sideline next to the designated referee before a teammate makes a catch to bring him/her back in. (The intention of this rule is to ensure that the player being brought back in was clearly hit out prior to the catch) (See “Technical” #11 & 12)

Note: First Out First In rule still applies.  (Catch #2)

2) If your team has all the balls, and no one is using them, this happens:

(Dead Ball, #11)

If a team has all 6 balls on their court and are not being used (i.e. all 6 balls are left on the ground), referees will begin a 10 second holding rule on the ball closest to the center line until it is played or turned over to the other team. If a player plays a ball, the countdown is transferred to that ball.

3) 10 second holding rule clarification:

(Dead Ball, #2a,b)

a. The 10 second count starts in these situations: (a) when a player picks up a ball, (b) when a player holds down a ball that is on the ground for longer than 3 seconds, (c) when a player manoeuvres a ball alongside himself/herself on the ground to move to a different position on the court, and (d) when the first ball is activated at the opening rush (see “Technical” #1)

b. The 10 second rule DOES NOT start in these situations: a) when a player rolls a ball to another teammate (ball must not leave the ground), b) when a player rolls a ball back from the center line, and c) when a player stops a moving ball.

4) A technical point regarding catching a blocked ball:

(Technical, #6)

When attempting to catch a blocked ball, a player must hold onto ALL the balls that they had in possession of at the time of the block, otherwise the player is out.

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!

Victoria
Programs Director