RULES OF THE GAME FOR INTRAMURAL DODGEBALL Revised June 19, 2018 OFFICE OF COMPETITIVE SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY RECREATION DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
General Information The Office is located in the Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM 3:00 PM Phone Number: 662-325-0349 Website: http://www.recsports.msstate.edu/ Email Address: intramurals@saffairs.msstate.edu Table of Contents Rule 1: Players, Field, & Equipment...3 Rule 2: Game Play...3 Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties...5 Rule 4: Code Of Conduct...6 Rule 5: Sportsmanship...6 Rule 6: Injury and Health Disclaimer...6 Rules of the Game for Intramural Dodgeball 2
Rule 1: Players, Field, & Equipment Section 1: Team A. All players must check in with an Supervisor and present their MSU Student Identification card to participate. B. A maximum of five players will compete on a side; others will be available as substitutions between games C. Co-Rec teams must start all games with 2 males and 3 females for the first half, and 3 males and 2 females for the second half. D. Substitutes may enter the game only between games and during an injury. Section 2: The Court The game is played indoors at the Sanderson Center in the Racquetball Courts. The center line will be the division between the two sides of the playing field. Section 3: Boundaries A. During play, all players must remain on their side of the court. B. A player may be handed a ball, provided that the player receiving the ball remains completely within their team's boundaries. C. A player shall not have any part of their body cross the center line and contact ground on their opponents' side of the court. The penalty for this infraction is the player is out. NOTE: A player may, without penalty, step on the center-line, only during the opening rush. Section 4: Equipment A. The official ball used in tournament and league play will be a rubber coated foam ball. B. The standard number of balls for a five player game is five. C. Participants must wear shoes. No metal cleats will be allowed. D. Participants must wear shirt and shorts/pants. E. Players may not wear: a. A. guard, cast, or brace made of unyielding leather, plaster, pliable plastic, metal, or any other hard substance, on finger, hand, wrist, or forearm. b. B. jewelry or hats Section 1: The Game Rule 2: Game Play A. Game begins by placing the dodge balls along the centerline. B. Players then take a position on their half of the court with one hand touching the back wall. Rules of the Game for Intramural Dodgeball 3
C. Play begins when a team captain yells One, Two, and Three, GO, alternating team captains every game. Team captains are not allowed to be deceptive while beginning each game. Teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. D. Teams will alternate sides after a 15 minute half. E. The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them out. An out is scored by: a. Hitting an opposing player with a live thrown ball below the shoulders. NOTE: If a player ducks and this clearly is the cause for the player being hit above the shoulders, the player is out and the throw is legal. b. Catching a live ball thrown by your opponent. c. Causing an opponent to drop a live ball as a result of contact by another thrown live ball. (Usually occurs when a ball is being used to block a thrown ball). d. An opposing player stepping out of bounds with momentum carrying a caught ball. Both thrower and catcher are out. e. Player crosses the center line at any point after opening rush. f. A live thrown ball that strikes, or is caught by, an opposing player without contacting the ground, another player or ball. F. In order for a call to be declared a Catch, the ball must be cleanly caught. The player may not bobble the ball or catch it after it has come into contact with the wall, another player, or another ball. G. Eliminated players for each team must stand with their backs against their team s right-side wall. H. A player may block a thrown ball with a ball being held, provided the held ball is not dropped as a result of the contact with the thrown ball. NOTE: A ball deflecting off a held ball and striking the holder is no longer a live ball. Section 2: Timing & substitutions A. Winner will be determined by team with the greatest number of wins at the end a two 15 minute halves. B. Only the Intramural supervisor starts and stops the clock. C. Substitutions may be made at the end of every game during the match. NOTE: In Co-Rec, a male may not substitute for a female and vice versa. Section 3: Opening Rush Rule A. Each and every player must go back and place a hand on their back wall before any Dodgeball can be legally thrown at an opponent. Section 4: Declaring a Winner A. The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. Rules of the Game for Intramural Dodgeball 4
Section 5: Overtime (play-offs only) A. If the two teams are tied with the same number of wins after 30 minutes of regulation play, an additional sudden death game will be played to declare a winner. B. No time outs allowed during over time. C. Substitutions and/or additions may be prior to the start of any overtime period. Section 1: Court Monitors and Officials Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties A. All matches will be supervised by an Intramural Supervisor. B. Rules will be forced primarily by the honor system. Players will be expected to rule whether or not a hit was legal or they were legally eliminated. C. The Supervisor s responsibility will be to rule on any situation in which teams cannot agree. A team may appeal to the Supervisor if they feel a player has violated any rule. THE SUPERVISOR S DECISION IS FINAL. D. Supervisors may warn players who display unsportsmanlike conduct. Any players receiving 2 warnings in a game will be ejected and suspended a minimum of one game. Suspensions will begin with their next scheduled game. Severe infractions or multiple warnings may result in suspensions from matches or tournaments. NOTE: A Supervisor is not required to warn players before ending a game. Section 2: Unsportsmanlike conduct It may include, but is not limited to: A. foul language B. hits above the shoulders C. unnecessary roughness D. arguing with officials, staff, participants, or fans E. abuse of the honor system Section 3: Protests Protests will only be accepted in cases involving use of an ineligible player. Protests of judgment calls will not be accepted. NOTE: A fee of $10 will assessed to every protest. If your protest is upheld, then you will get your money back. Rules of the Game for Intramural Dodgeball 5
Rule 4: Code of Conduct A. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game and the honor system. B. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and staff C. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match, whether in victory or defeat. D. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control. E. Do not taunt or bait opponents. Refrain from using foul or abusive language. Rule 5: Sportsmanship As in all intramural sports contests, if a participant is ejected from a contest, they are immediately ineligible for further access or competition in any Recreational Sport program or facility until cleared by the Coordinator for or their designate. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator for to review their behavior and subsequent eligibility to continue in the Program. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by players or fans may cause a team to be disqualified from further competition. In addition, players, coaches, and spectators may not harass the officials (verbally or physically) after the contest has ended. Offender(s) are subject to the same penalties and procedures as players being ejected from the contest. Rule 6: Injury and Health Disclaimer Participants should be aware that there is a risk of injury in participation in due to the inherent nature of the activity. Individuals are encouraged to have a physical examination and to obtain adequate health. Play at your own risk! Rules of the Game for Intramural Dodgeball 6