Dodgeball Rules: How to Play Dodgeball

These dodgeball rules cover the classic team game played in school gyms, backyards and rec leagues: two teams, a center line, a handful of soft balls, and a simple aim of getting every player on the other side out. The basic game takes a minute to explain, but agreeing the details first (head shots, catches, blocking and coming back in) keeps it fair and safe. Below you will find the standard rules, the five rules every player should know, a quick scoring guide, and kid-friendly variations such as circle dodgeball.

Quick rules

• Two teams start on opposite halves of a court divided by a center line.
• Soft balls are placed on the center line. On the signal, both teams rush to grab them.
• If a thrown ball hits you below the shoulders before touching the floor, wall or another player, you are out.
• If you catch a ball thrown at you, the thrower is out and one of your out teammates comes back in.
• Stepping over the center line or out of bounds puts you out.
• A team wins the game when every player on the other team is out.
• If time runs out, the team with more players left wins.

What you need

• A court or field about the size of a volleyball or basketball court, with a clear center line and boundaries (use cones or tape outdoors).
• Soft foam or rubber balls: usually 6 balls for 6 players a side, or about one ball for every two players.
• A referee or teacher to start each game and call outs.
• Two even teams of 6 to 10 players. Use the team generator below to split a group fairly.

Setup

1. Mark the center line and the side and end boundaries.
2. Split players into two equal teams and send each team to its back line.
3. Place the balls evenly along the center line, half on each side of the middle.
4. Agree on the house rules (see below), especially whether head hits count and how players come back in.

How to play

The opening rush

1. All players start touching their back line.
2. On the whistle or "go", players run to the center to collect balls. Most rules let each team claim only the balls to their right, which keeps the rush fair.
3. A ball picked up in the rush must be carried behind the attack line (or back line) before it can be thrown.

Throwing and getting out

1. Throw the ball at opponents. A player is out if a live ball hits them on the fly anywhere below the shoulders, including their clothing.
2. A ball is "dead" once it touches the floor, a wall, the ceiling or another player. Dead balls cannot get anyone out.
3. Hits to the head or face do not count, and the thrower may be called out for a head shot in many leagues.
4. If a ball hits two players before landing, only the first player hit is out.
5. Players who are out leave the court and wait in order along the side line.

Catching and blocking

1. If you catch a live ball cleanly, the thrower is out and the first out player from your team returns to the court.
2. You may block a throw with a ball you are holding. If you drop the ball you were holding because of the block, you are out.
3. Deflecting a throw with your hands while not holding a ball does not protect you: you are hit and out unless you catch it.

Staying in bounds

Crossing the center line or stepping out of bounds to dodge makes you out. You may leave the court only to fetch a stray ball, if your rules allow it.

Scoring

Matches are usually best of three or best of five games, with a time limit of about 3 to 5 minutes per game.

How to win

Eliminate every player on the opposing team. If the time limit is reached, the team with more players still on the court wins the game. Win the most games to win the match.

Variations

• Circle dodgeball: one team forms a circle and throws at the other team inside it. Players hit leave the circle. Swap roles after a set time; the team that lasts longest wins. Great for younger kids and small spaces.
• Prison or jail dodgeball: out players go to a jail zone behind the opposing team and can return if they catch a ball or hit an opponent from there.
• Medic or doctor: each team secretly chooses a medic who can tag out players back into the game. Once the medic is hit, there are no more rescues.
• Everyone is it (free-for-all): no teams; every player is on their own and sits down when hit.
• Hold time limit: a team must throw within a set time (often 10 seconds) of gaining possession, which keeps play moving.

Tips and strategy

• Throw together. Several players throwing at one target at once is much harder to dodge.
• Keep one ball for blocking when you can.
• Aim low at the legs and feet; they are hardest to move quickly and safest to hit.
• Stay in the back half of the court unless you are throwing, so you have time to react.
• Catching is the most powerful play in the game, so practice it.

Safety and house rules to agree first

• Use only soft, light balls, especially with children.
• No head shots, and no throwing at players who are already out or not looking during a restart.
• Decide how players come back in and whether blocking with a ball is allowed.
• Set a time limit for each game.

Looking for more running games? Try kickball, capture the flag, kho kho or browse our outdoor games and classroom games.