Playing Dodgeball
Dodgeball has many advantages over other sports, but none more than its absolute accessibility. It is played right across the world by people of all ages, sexes and sporting abilities. It is very simple to learn, and everyone has the ability get involved as part of a team. It has a strong social dimension due to its co-ed format, it attracts players from all walks of life, and it crosses social, national and ethnic boundaries.
The Rules
Cloth ball tournaments organised by the IDBA adhere to European Dodgeball Federation (EDF) rules, and foam tournaments adhere to the World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF) rules. However, tournaments organised by by other dodgeball bodies may use different rules. For example, when competing in the British Dodgeball Northern Irish League, Irish teams will play under British Dodgeball rules.
The basic rules remain the same across all tournaments:
1. If you get hit by a live ball, you are out.
2. If you catch a ball, the person who threw the ball is out and you can get a player back in play for your team.
3. If you cross court boundaries, you are out.
4. A game is won by a team if they knock out all the other team's players, or if they have more players in play at the end of an agreed play time.
Please click on the links below to view and/or download a full set of EDF or WDBF rules.