Dodgeball
Team throwing/dodging game in which two teams throw rubber/foam balls at each other, eliminating opponents by hitting them below the shoulders while avoiding being hit themselves.
What is Dodgeball?
Dodgeball is a team sport in which two teams throw balls at each other, aiming to eliminate opponents by hitting them with a ball while avoiding being hit themselves. Ancient origins in African warrior training and Chinese warrior training; modern school-yard version became popular in USA schools by 20th century. Now organised competitively via World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF, founded 2011). International events use foam or PVC rubber balls (not the hard rubber of school gym class). Standard competitive format: 6 vs 6 on court ~18m × 10m with centre line + attack line + endline. Match starts with all balls at center line ('opening rush'). Team eliminates all opposing players to win a set; typically first team to 5 sets wins match. Ball-catch → thrower eliminated + teammate revived. Growing in schools + universities via National Dodgeball League (USA) + college leagues.
Quick facts
Category
Playground Games
Type
Team sport
Players
6 per team
Duration
~20 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
court
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Ancient (Africa + China); modern schoolyard form 20th century USA; WDBF founded 2011; first World Championship 2012
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
How it works
Objective
Eliminate all opposing players by hitting them with a thrown ball, while avoiding being hit yourself. First team to eliminate all opposing players wins the set.
Match structure
Match: Best of 9 sets (first to 5). Set start: 6 balls placed on centre line; players line up on their endline. Referee whistle → both teams 'rush' to center to grab balls. Players may only throw from own half. Set won when all opposing players eliminated OR set timer expires (fewer remaining players loses).
Rules
Basic rules
Opening rush
All balls at centre line; teams line up on endline; whistle → both rush to grab balls.
Throw + hit = elimination
Ball thrown by attacker + hitting opponent below shoulders eliminates opponent.
Head shots don't count (safety)
Ball hitting opponent above shoulders = no elimination. Some leagues penalize thrower.
Catch = elimination reversed
Catching a thrown ball eliminates the thrower + revives one of your team's eliminated players.
Ball touches ground = dead
Once ball touches floor/ceiling/wall, cannot eliminate players until picked up again.
Cross centre line = out
Players cannot cross centre line into opponent's half.
Set won by elimination
First team to eliminate all opposing players wins the set.
Advanced rules
Blocking with a ball
Held ball can block incoming throws; but if held ball knocked out of hand by throw, player is out.
3-second rule (5-second rule)
Player holding ball cannot delay > 3-5 sec before throwing or passing.
Attack line rule
Some leagues: throws must be from behind attack line (3m into own court).
Prison / reincarnation
Some variants: eliminated players go to 'prison' behind opponent's endline; can throw balls from there.
One-hop rule
Some youth: ball can hit floor once before hitting player + still count.
Timing rules
Sets 3 min max; if timer expires, side with more players wins.
Foul: charged throw
Running throw with more than 3 steps + release = foul (in some rules).
Scoring
Sets won cumulative in best-of-9 match. First team to 5 sets wins.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Eliminate opposing player | +1 elimination stat |
| Catch a thrown ball | Thrower out + revive teammate |
| Win a set (eliminate all opponents) | +1 set for team |
| Match win | First to 5 sets (best of 9) |
| Set timer expires | Team with more remaining players wins set |
Win condition · First team to 5 sets wins match.
Playing area
Called
court
Dimensions
Court: 18m × 10m rectangular indoor (basketball court works). Centre line + attack line 3m from centre + endline.
Indoor gym floor with painted lines: centre line (starting balls placed), 2 attack lines 3m from centre, endlines defining playing area.
Equipment
Dodgeballs
Foam or PVC rubber balls, 20-22 cm diameter, ~450 g. 5-6 balls per game.
Jersey + shorts + court shoes
Team uniform + non-marking indoor shoes.
Kneepads (optional)
For diving to catch/dodge.
Goggles (some regions)
Eye protection recommended for youth.
Officiating
Referee central authority; 2 judges verify eliminations + catches (contentious calls); timekeeper for 3-min set clock.
- Referee (chief)
- 2 Judges (courtside)
- Timekeeper
- Scorer
Strategies
Opening rush strategy
Fastest player rushes centre for 1-2 balls; others form defensive back-line.
Ball control
Control 4+ balls = force opponent to defend rather than throw.
Coordinated attack
Multiple teammates throw simultaneously — opponent can't dodge/catch all.
Catcher position
One player specialises in catching; positions in back to catch throws + revive teammates.
Feign throws
Threaten throw to force opponent commitment; then throw or pass to teammate.
Attack line pressure
Advanced throwers rush to attack line for stronger throws.
Terminology
- Dodgeball / Ball
- Foam or PVC rubber ball used in play.
- Out / Elimination
- Player eliminated by being hit or making illegal move.
- Catch
- Grabbing thrown ball in air = thrower out + teammate revived.
- Head shot
- Ball hitting above shoulders — no elimination + often penalized.
- Opening rush
- First 5 sec of set: teams sprint to centre for balls.
- Centre line
- Line dividing court in half; cannot cross.
- Attack line
- 3m from centre; some leagues require throws from behind.
- Dead ball
- Ball that touched floor/ceiling/wall — cannot eliminate until picked up.
- Block
- Using held ball to deflect incoming throw.
- Prison / Reincarnation zone
- In some variants, eliminated players go behind opponent's endline.
- Set
- One round of play; win by eliminating all opponents.
- Match
- Best-of-9 sets; first to 5 wins.
- One-hop rule
- Youth: ball can bounce once before hitting player + count.
Major competitions
WDBF World Championships
biennial · worldwide · since 2012
European Dodgeball Championships
biennial · Europe · since 2011
NDL National Championship (USA)
annual · USA · since 2004
World University Dodgeball Championship
biennial · worldwide
Where it is played
Governing bodies
World Dodgeball FederationWDBF
Founded 2011 · Ontario, Canada
Official site ↗National Dodgeball League (USA)
Founded 2004 · USA
Official site ↗GB Dodgeball (British)
Founded 2006 · UK
Dodgeball New Zealand
Founded 2008 · NZ
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Josh Meyer (USA) — Multi-time NDL champion; USA National Team captain 2015-2020
- Andrew Thibodeaux (USA) — 4× NDL National Championship winner
- Sasha Barsuk (Malaysia) — Asian Pacific champion
- Cameron Beard (Canada) — Team Canada captain WDBF Champion 2016
- Tanya Cole (UK) — Women's world champion 2018
- Bree Wilson (Australia) — Women's international multi-champion
Records
Most WDBF world titles
Malaysia (men's team) — 3 (2012, 2014, 2016) (2016)
Most WDBF women's titles
Malaysia — 3 (2012, 2016, 2018) (2018)
Largest dodgeball tournament
GB National (annual) — 300+ teams (2019) (2019)
Longest single dodgeball game (Guinness)
University of Alberta — 41 hours 33 min (2011)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
School PE / summer camp
Most kids learn in school gym class; safe foam balls.
- 2
Local YMCA / adult league
US: NDL local leagues; UK: GB Dodgeball recreational.
- 3
Practice throwing + catching
Underhand throw accuracy vs overhand power; catch drills.
intermediate
- 1
University / club team
US Universities have Dodgeball clubs; UK's University Dodgeball Association.
- 2
State/regional championships
Compete against 20-40 teams; work on team plays.
advanced
- 1
National team tryout
Selected for World Championship squad (US, UK, Canada, Malaysia).
- 2
WDBF World Championships (biennial)
12-16 nations compete; typically Malaysia, USA, UK, Australia dominate.
Frequently asked
How do you win at dodgeball?+
Eliminate all opposing players by hitting them with a thrown ball (below shoulders). Alternatively: catch their throws (thrower out + revive teammate) OR outlast opponents when set timer expires. First team to eliminate all opposing players wins the set; first to 5 sets wins match (best of 9).
Is dodgeball dangerous?+
Modern competitive: uses foam or soft PVC balls; injury rate low (rare sprains). School gym class with harder rubber balls has higher injury rate — many US schools have banned traditional 'gauntlet' style. Competitive foam balls are safer than volleyball.
Is dodgeball an Olympic sport?+
Not yet. WDBF was granted GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations) provisional membership in 2018 — a step toward Olympic recognition, but still not on Olympic programme.
Who is the best dodgeball team?+
Malaysia dominates WDBF World Championships (3 men's titles: 2012, 2014, 2016; 3 women's titles). USA + UK also strong. National Dodgeball League (USA) is largest domestic league.
How is competitive dodgeball different from schoolyard?+
1) Uses foam or soft PVC balls (not hard rubber). 2) Head shots are prohibited (safety). 3) Court has defined dimensions + rules (18m × 10m). 4) Time-limited sets. 5) Referees for elimination calls. 6) 6-vs-6 team format. Much more skilled + tactical than school gym.
What is the World Dodgeball Federation?+
WDBF — governing body since 2011; based in Canada. Organises biennial World Championships (from 2012). Has 60+ member nations. Champion nations typically Malaysia, USA, UK, Australia.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Dodgeball— Wikipedia
- World Dodgeball Federation— WDBF
- National Dodgeball League (USA)— NDL