S4 Dodgeball Marrickville [Thu] Rules

TEAM FORMAT

5-a-side

Each team consists of five (5) players on court.

Teams must have:

Minimum two (2) male players
Minimum two (2) female players
The remaining player may be of any gender, including gender diverse participants.

Teams may play with a minimum of four (4) players for the entire game, provided at least one (1) player is female. Teams meeting this minimum will not be considered a default or forfeit.

6-a-side

Each team consists of six (6) players on court.

Teams must have:

Minimum two (2) male players
Minimum two (2) female players
The remaining player may be of any gender, including gender diverse participants.

Teams may play with a minimum of four (4) players for the entire game, provided at least one (1) player is female. Teams meeting this minimum will not be considered a default or forfeit.

Please refer to the Urban Rec Default, Forfeit & Substitute Policy for player eligibility requirements.

Substitutes

Substitutes are permitted provided they:

Have created an Urban Rec account, and
Have signed the most up-to-date Urban Rec waiver.

Substitutions may only occur between mini games.

Players who are not currently participating should remain off the playing court unless acting as a Sweeper.

GAME SPECIFICS

Game Time

Matches are played in two (2) halves of approximately 18-20 minutes with a short half-time break.
Teams swap ends at half time.

Court Boundaries

The court is divided into two equal halves by a centre line.
An Attack Line is marked several metres back from the centre line on each side.
Court dimensions may vary depending on the venue.

Starting the Game

Teams begin behind their own baseline.
The League Host will begin play by blowing the whistle or calling "Dodgeball!"
If required, captains may use Scissors, Paper, Rock to determine starting ends.

Scoring

Each completed mini game is worth one (1) point.
Teams play as many mini games as possible within the allocated match time.
The team with the most mini game wins at the end of the match wins.

RULE SPECIFICS

Objective

The objective is to eliminate every opposing player by getting them OUT.

A player is out when:

They are hit by a live thrown ball.
Their thrown ball is caught before touching the floor or another object.
They drop a ball while attempting a catch.
A ball they are using to block is knocked from their hands.

Opening Rush

At the beginning of each mini game:

Dodgeballs are placed evenly along the centre line.
Players begin behind their baseline.
On the League Host's signal, both teams race to retrieve as many balls as possible.

Any ball collected during the Opening Rush must first be taken behind the team's Attack Line before it may legally be thrown.

Attack Line

The Attack Line creates a neutral area immediately after the Opening Rush.

A player retrieving a ball during the Opening Rush must carry it completely behind the Attack Line before making their first throw.

Live & Dead Balls

A Live Ball is any thrown ball that has not touched:

The floor
Another ball
Another player
A wall or ceiling
Any object outside the playing area

A Dead Ball cannot eliminate a player.

Boundaries

Players must remain within the playing boundaries.
Players may leave the court only to retrieve loose balls.
Crossing the centre line results in an immediate elimination.
Players may enter the Dead Zone but may not cross into the opponent's half.

Making a Catch

If a player catches a live thrown ball:

The thrower is eliminated.
One eliminated teammate returns to play.
Players return to the court in the same order they were eliminated.

A thrown ball remains live if it deflects off another player or a dodgeball being used to block, provided it has not touched the ground, wall, ceiling or another fixed object.

This means a teammate may catch a deflected ball and the catch will still count.

Once a thrown ball touches the ground, wall, ceiling or another fixed object, it is dead and can no longer be caught for an elimination.

Deflecting

Players may use a dodgeball they are holding to block an incoming throw.

The incoming ball remains live after being deflected and may still be caught.
If the blocking ball is knocked from the player's hands, the defender is out.
If the blocking ball remains under the player's control, the defender is safe.

Head Shots

A player struck directly in the head is safe (not out).

Exceptions include:

Deliberately moving the head into the path of the ball.
Dangerous or repeated head-high throws.

League Hosts may issue warnings or remove players for repeated dangerous play.

Kamikaze

Players may jump over the centre line while airborne to make a throw.

For the elimination to count:

The thrown ball must hit an opponent before the thrower lands.

Regardless of the result, the throwing player is immediately out upon landing.

Hot Ball

Players may not hold possession of a ball for longer than twenty (20) seconds.
After the Event Host calls "Hot Ball", a countdown will begin.
If the ball has not been thrown before the countdown expires, the player is out.

Ball Handling

Players must not:

Kick dodgeballs.
Deliberately squeeze or deform dodgeballs.
Alter the shape of the ball.

If two players tug on the same ball during the Opening Rush:

Both players must immediately release the ball.
Play continues from where the ball lands.

Sweeper

For larger scaled courts with big out of bound areas, eliminated players may act as Sweepers.

Sweepers may:

Retrieve loose balls.
Roll balls back onto the court for their team.

Balls should be returned immediately and not deliberately held to gain an advantage.

Golden Point

If a mini game continues for an extended period and both teams have an equal number of players remaining, the League Host may call Golden Point.

During Golden Point:

The original starting five players return to the court.
Play restarts.
The first successful legal hit wins the mini game.

Golden Point is used at the Event Host's discretion.

ADDITIONAL URBAN REC RULES

Winning a Mini Game

A mini game ends when:

One team has eliminated every opposing player, or
The League Host calls time due to the game running too long.

If time is called before every player has been eliminated, the team with the most players remaining wins that mini game.

Self Officiating

Urban Rec Dodgeball is primarily self-officiated.

Players are expected to:

Call themselves out honestly.
Respect opposition calls.
Resolve disputes respectfully.

Where teams cannot agree, the League Host's decision is final.

Safety

For everyone's safety:

Do not intentionally throw at players' heads.
Avoid excessive force.
Be aware of players retrieving balls outside the court.

Player safety always takes priority.

Host Discretion

Not every situation can be covered by the rulebook. League Hosts may intervene where an action is technically legal but clearly unsafe, unfair or against the spirit of the game.

Fun First Policy

All Urban Rec leagues are fun-first, regardless of skill level.

Our League Hosts aim to create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment by:

Coaching where needed
Making calls appropriate to the level of play
Encouraging communication and sportsmanship

Urban Rec expects a degree of self-officiation. Respect, good vibes and camaraderie go a long way.

Discipline

League Hosts have final say on all unresolved issues.
If a player is acting disrespectfully or outside the spirit of the game, the Host may:
- Ask the player to sub off and take a break
- Issue further warnings
- Ask the player to leave the court if behaviour continues

We’re here for good times, not bad attitudes. Play fair.

Inclusion

Urban Rec is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary players are welcome
Participants of all sexualities, cultures and backgrounds are supported

Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment.

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