In order to play dodgeball correctly, you absolutely need the dodgeball rules at hand. We have summarized this – and some other information about the ball sport – for you and explained it in detail so that there are no misunderstandings.
History of dodgeball
Dodgeball is based on a ritual war game. As the name suggests, two peoples fight each other, with the ball symbolizing the weapon and each hit by a player leads to elimination.
However, in the “modern” version, as most of you may be familiar with from school, it is possible to bring yourself back into play. Many people are not aware that this game was actually a war game.
Basics about the game
The playing field
You play in a rectangular field. If you are lucky enough to be able to use a hall, you need the tennis or badminton court. Otherwise you stuck if you z. B. plays in the park, a field with about 13.40 m long and 6.10 m wide (badminton). The two fields for the groups are usually separated by a 60 cm wide “death strip”.
Around the field there is also the so-called outfield, on which a player of the generic team is placed (behind the field) or, in the course of the game, the eliminated players on the edge.
The ball
Since you have to throw your players: inside, you take a soft ball made of a soft or foam material so that there are no injuries if you hit the back, head, kidneys or stomach, for example.
That’s how you play dodgeball
At the beginning, the referee, who is always on the center line to have a full overview, places 3 balls in the middle, which can only be picked up by 3 players. When the whistle starts, the players try to throw the opponents off with the ball.
Headshots are strictly forbidden! As well as intentional hard hits in the kidneys or soft tissue. This cannot always be avoided, but there are also players who make fun of it.
The opponent is “out” if you hit them without the ball touching the ground first. The player must then leave the field. The game continues without interruption. If a player catches the ball, nothing happens – now he can try his luck throwing it.
Discarded players go to the area around the opponent’s field and from there they can try to discard others – and thus get back into the game.
Everything comes to an end
If a team has no more players in its infield, the opposing team has almost won. Then it’s up to the “King:in”. He or she has to go to the infield and can now be discarded – if this happens for the third time, the game is won unless another player makes it back into the field and thus substitutes him.
How do you play dodgeball?
Two teams compete against each other, located in two fields. Separated by a center line, they now try to shoot down the opposing team’s players with a ball until none are left. Downed players can bring themselves back in if they hit a player from the enemy team’s perimeter. Finally, the “King:in” remains, who can be “done” with three hits.
Which ball is suitable for dodgeball?
Use a ball made of a soft or foam material to minimize the risk of injury.
What is the difference between dodgeball and dodgeball?
For a round of dogdeball you need more balls, but fewer players. Furthermore, the “rest” field is omitted.
Criticism of dodgeball
A few years ago there was a discussion about banning dodgeball from school sports. Canadian researchers had studied the game, which had upset many students for decades, and argued that it shouldn’t be played anymore.
One reason for this was or is the name, which would be reminiscent of a war scenario: two peoples compete against each other and have to eliminate each other to win. This association is nothing new, as Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the inventor of German gymnastics, already believed that German youth would be prepared for battle in order to defend themselves against Napoleon’s occupation. This was over 200 years ago. This can be countered by the fact that dodgeball has adapted over time and players are no longer eliminated entirely, but continue to play from the sidelines.
Other points of criticism are possible bullying and humiliation. The choice of the team, the concentrated shooting of a certain person, exploiting and displaying a lack of evasive ability.
Everyone has to decide for themselves how heavily these points should be weighted, but it is important to question “traditions”.
Where to watch dodgeball?
Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+
Who invented dodgeball?
The official rules of the game of dodgeball were created by Philip Ferguson who witnessed some games at St. Mary’s using the rules that Carlisle created. Furgeson would change the game to include two teams playing on opposite sides of the field and he created his new rules for the game in 1905.
Where did dodgeball originate?
The History and Growth of Dodgeball as a sport. Dodgeball was originally played in Africa over two hundred years ago, but instead of the fun, jocular game that it is today, it was in fact a deadly game.
How to play dodgeball
Is dodgeball banned in America?
Due to its “aggressive” nature, dodgeball has been banned in schools across North America, as it’s frequently named the cause of injuries and fights.
