Dodgeball World Championship

Below is an abbreviated list of the basic NDL rules. If you have any specific rules questions feel free to contact us at 952.931.0404, during regular business hours and we will assist you in any way we can.

The Court

The court is divided into two 30’ X 30’ areas, with a 6’ X 30’ neutral zone located at center court separating the two sides. Every effort is made to obtain the correct dimensions. However court size may be adjusted to best suit the available space.

Teams

• Teams consist of six players with up to four substitutes.  All players must be in uniform.
• Coed teams may consist of either gender, however at least two players of each gender must participate at the start of each game.
• Open teams may consist of either gender. Any ratio of men and women may participate, including all male and all female teams.

Substitutions

Substitutions must be made prior to the start of the game. No substitutions can be made during a game, except in cases of injury.

Game Types:

Elimination Game:
A game played until all opponents on one side have been eliminated. The first team to eliminate all its opponents is declared the winner.

Retrievers

Retrievers are individuals designated to retrieve balls that go out of play.  Teams are responsible for providing retrievers. The number of retrievers required will determined by the tournament director.

The Rush

The Rush occurs at the beginning of each game or reset. Play begins with all players positioned behind their team’s end line. This tournament will be using a  Tactical Rush. Each team begins with two balls already in hand. The remaining two balls are placed equal distance on the center line. Upon the official’s signal, both teams may rush to center court and attempt to retrieve the two balls on the Center Line. All Balls are considered live at the start of the game.

Blocking

Blocking a ball is not allowed a blocked ball is considered dead upon contact with the ball and the blocking player is called out.

Time Outs

There are no team time outs.

Outs

• player shall be deemed “out” when a live ball hits any part of the player’s body, clothing, or uniform.
• A defending player catches a live ball.
• Players shall return from the Queue in the order they were put “out” (i.e. first “out,” first “in”).

Pinching

The act of squeezing the ball is not allowed.

Stalling

The act of intentionally delaying the game. If a referee determines that a player or team is stalling, the referee will warn player or team. If the stalling continues, at the referees discretion, player or team will lose possession of all balls on their side. If both teams are stalling a reset should occur.

Out of Bounds Rule

If any part of the player’s body touches the end lines the player shall be deemed “out”.
Momentum may carry a player out of bounds while making a catch. Providing control of the ball was established prior going out of bounds.

Neutral Zone Rule

A player may safely step into the neutral zone but not across. Except for in the act of performing a sacrifice fly.

Sacrifice Fly

An airborne attack, where an attacking player may legally cross the neutral zone to hit an opponent but the ball must leave the attacker’s hand before any part of the attacker’s body touches the opponent’s territory. If successful, the player hit is out and Attacking player remains in.

Headshots

Headshots are legal at the DWC.

Uniforms and Equipment

• The NDL does not allow players to wear gloves, baseball caps or bandannas during play.
• Each team should wear uniforms, please refer to the NDL Uniform Guidelines for the specific requirements