DePaul Dodgeball - Continuous Rules
Version 1.0 - April 16, 2010
Contents:
1. Overview
2. Definitions
2.1 Terminology - 2.2 Equipment
3. Play
3.1 Start - 3.2 Step Limit - 3.3 Ball Limit - 3.4 Getting Out - 3.5 Getting In - 3.6 End of Play
Continuous is a free-for-all game of dodgeball, played with at least two dodgeballs. Throwers have a maximum of three steps to throw the ball at any Target. Once hit, a player becomes dead and must sit down on the court. If a player becomes dead, any dead player that was out by the recently deceased Thrower becomes live again. Play continues until one player is left standing.
2.1 Terminology
2.1.1 Kill/Tag - A catch or throw which gets another player out.
2.1.2 Thrower - Any player in control of a dodgeball.
2.1.3 Target - Any live player not in control of a dodgeball.
2.1.4 Dead Player - A player that has been hit by a dodgeball, on the ground, and out of play.
2.1.5 Live ball - Any ball that has not become dead. Dodgeballs become live when thrown.
2.1.6 Dead ball - A dodgeball that hits:
2.1.6.1 A dead player, another dodgeball, or any surface of the court.
2.1.6.2 Any ball that bounces off a live Target and is not caught before touching any other object or player. See 3.4 Getting Out.
2.1.6.3 Any ball controlled by a Thrower that has taken four steps. See 3.2 Step Limit.
2.1.6.4 Any ball thrown from outside the Paint. See 2.2.2.1 The Paint.
2.2 Equipment and Field of Play
2.2.1 Dodgeballs - 8.5in rubber playground balls, two minimum.
2.2.2 Court at 94' x 50' - NCAA Regulation is preferred, as a regulation basketball court can be converted easily to play. It should be free of any dodgeballs not in play, in order to prevent confusion as to what is in play. At least one of the 50' sides should be walled or close to a wall, to create a back wall for the opening volley.
2.2.2.1 The Paint - The boundary line outlining the field of play. All steps are counted from within the field of play. Throwers may retrieve a stray ball from outside the area, and may bring the ball to the nearest spot on the Paint with no step limit.
2.2.2.1.1 Dodgeballs should be tapped on the court to signal the step limit is in effect and the ball is active.
2.2.2.1.2 Dodgeballs thrown from outside the Paint are not active and considered dead.
3.1 Start - All players line up behind one of the 50' baselines of the court. Opening volley throwers are designated. After a countdown of three, the dodgeballs in play are thrown across the court. Players can race each other in order to get the ball, or may spread out onto the court.
3.2 Step Limit - Throwers have a maximum of three steps once they secure a ball. Throwers may use one foot to pivot, but if the pivot foot is lifted, it is considered a step.
Once a Thrower makes four steps, the dodgeball they control is considered dead and they must release the ball.
3.3 Ball limit - Throwers may not have more than one dodgeball in their possession at any one time. Every extra ball in a Thrower's possession is considered dead. Throwers may cause an out only if they are in possesion of one dodgeball.
3.4 Getting Out
3.4.1 Catching - If a Target catches a live ball thrown from a Thrower, the Thrower is out. If the Target fails to a catch a thrown ball that tags them before the ball becomes dead, the Target is out. Balls ricocheted off a live Target become dead when they touch any other object or player.
3.4.2 Tagging - If a Target is struck on any part of their body or clothing with a live ball, the Target is ruled out.
3.4.3 Loss of possession - If a player has a ball and that ball is knocked out of their possession by another thrown ball, that player is ruled out.
3.4.4 Stripping - Targets may strip a ball from a Thrower if they are sneaky enough to pull it off. The Target must strip and control the ball, dropping a ball does not result in a kill of either involved player. If a Target is stripped, they are ruled out. Unnecessary roughness will result in the offending player to be ruled out.
3.4.5 Excessive Physical Contact - Restraining, grabbing, holding, and other physical roughness will be ruled as unnecessary roughness and the offending player(s) will be ruled out for the rest of the game.
3.5 Getting In - If a Thrower is caught or hit out, any player that was out by that Thrower gets up and is active in one of two ways:
3.5.1 A Target has three seconds to move about the court, in the event a Thrower happened to be right next to them.
3.5.2 A Target is active if he or she touches a ball before the three second activation mark.
3.6 End of play - Once two players remain standing, each player must secure a ball and gather at opposite sides of center court. The two players tap balls in chivalry and recommence play. Step limit is not in effect for 1 on 1.
3.6.1 Variations on End of Play - For either time or energy considerations.
3.6.1.1 Last Three - This can be called at any time there are three or more players live. Once there are three players left standing, no other players may get in and remain on the ground. 1 on 1 commences normally.
3.6.1.2 Endurance - A player wins the game by eliminating every other player and being the last baller standing. 1 on 1 is full court and has no step limit. Dead players may still get back in if one of the remaining two players is their killer.
Credits:
Bringer of the Game to DePaul Dodgeball: Shervin Hossein
Codification of Rules: Zigmas Maloni
Specific Contributions: