JAM rules for Dodgeball

DODGEBALL

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

1. Equipment/Set-Up:

The league will supply all dodgeballs for each game, 3 large and 3 small balls will be used, 6 in total.
Teams are responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person/team to keep score

2. Game Time/Default:

Each team will play 1 55-minute match per week.
Each team will receive one (1) timeout of 60 seconds. This timeout cannot be called within the final 10 minutes of the match. Timeouts may only be called after a game has been completed.
Player substitutions (subs) are only allowed after a game has ended. In the event of an injury, play is suspended immediately. Subs are permitted in the event of an injury and the opposing team is also allowed to substitute the same number of player(s) that are substituted due to injury. Play stops when there is an injury.
If one side of a venue has a potential advantage (i.e. stage at one end, etc), teams should agree BEFORE the game that they will be switching sides at approximately the mid-point of the game (and agree on the time to switch). A captain that requests a switch pre-game MUST be accommodated.
Teams are comprised of 6 players with a minimum of 2 women or non-binary and 2 men or non-binary players.
Defaults should be prevented whenever possible. A team will be penalized 1 game for every 5 minutes they cannot meet the minimum player requirements up to 15 minutes after the start time, in which case they will default the match.
A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as there is 1 man or gender minority players AND 1 woman or gender minority player. Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum players but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!
The 6 players that start each game are the ONLY players that can play during that particular game (i.e. for that point). Substitute players must wait until the next game before playing. Teams can alter their roster for each game, as long as the gender requirements are met. Exception: Injured players can be substituted midway during a game if necessary, but roster guidelines and minimums must still be followed.
A team may bring in subs but these players must be added to their roster prior to playing in the game. You may also borrow players from a game playing before you up to the minimum required to avoid a default.

3. Starting the Game and General Rules:

i. 6 dodgeballs will be used for each game 3 large and 3 small.

ii. To start a game, each team stands on their respective back line. Three dodgeballs should be placed approximately 5 feet back from the centre line on each half court. The point will then be started by shouting "READY, SET, DODGEBALL!" Before players can throw a ball they must first bring it back 5 feet across the attack line BEORE they can throw a ball forward. The attack line applies only on the starting draws of each point.

(Lines may vary). This is a rough diagram.

NOTE: Players may pickup balls and pass them backwards to team members

iii. Once play has started, players must remain on their own side of half.

iv. Players can lean over the half line to retrieve a ball, but the player cannot touch any part of their opponents half of the court. If any part of a player touches their opponents' side of the half, that person is out.

v. Players cannot remain static in areas that conceal or partially conceal their body. e.g. door entrance ways, climbers, etc.

vi. A ball is considered "dead" as soon as it hits the floor, walls, ceiling or any other obstacles around the court (e.g. basketball hoops, etc). A player is not eliminated after being hit by a dead ball (i.e. if the ball hits the wall, then hits the player, the player is not eliminated). All other balls are considered "live".

vii. Eliminated players should sit on the opposite side/corner of their team bench (in an effort to clarify who is participating in that particular game). A bench area should be defined (using a bench turned on its side) and this area is out of bounds. Live players may only enter this area to retrieve balls.

viii. Teams are responsible for enforcing rules and ensuring fair play.

ix. Players cannot jump off the walls in an effort to avoid being hit.

4. Throwing the Balls and Eliminating Players:

i. Players are eliminated when they are hit by the ball below the shoulders.

ii. Players can block balls with a ball that is already in their hands, and "dead" balls that are on the floor are okay to be kicked or rolled to a teammate.

NOTE: Under no circumstances can a player (with or without a ball in their hands) be eliminated by being hit with a "dead" ball.
NOTE: As per above, if a player holding a ball is hit by a second ball, that player is out. However, if a teammate catches the second ball while it is still "live", then the teammate has effectively 'saved' the hit player, the thrower is out, and the team that caught the ball returns a player to the court as usual.

iii. Players can throw a ball in any manner, with the following exceptions. Squeezing the air out of the ball - this damages the ball and makes them deteriorate quick. Kamikaze throws - jumping over the centre line and throwing the ball while in the air before landing on the opponent's side (suicide plays). Throws made jumping off the walls or benches. NOTE: The ball MUST be thrown to eliminate an opponent. A player cannot touch an opponent with a ball being held in their hand. The ball must be released for the throw to count.

iv. Players must release the ball within 20 seconds of picking up the ball. If ball possession goes over 20 seconds, that player is out (team referees from either side must count out loud and point to the player they are counting to, in order to signify which player is holding the ball).

v. Players may pass a ball to their teammates. Furthermore, since a team only has 20 seconds to throw the ball, a pass to a teammate does NOT reset the 20-second clock, and the ball must be thrown within 20 seconds from the time the first teammate touched the ball.

vi. Make sure that a player that has been hit by a 'live' ball raises their hands and they leave the court so that their opponents know not to hit them. The player leaving the game cannot intentionally block incoming balls.

vii. If a player catches a "live" ball that is thrown at them, the thrower is OUT. IN ADDITION, the team that caught the ball can return a previously eliminated player to the court. Players who re-enter the game are based on the order they were eliminated, however, there are some exceptions to this rule. When catching and bringing a player back on to the court the player that returns to the game MUST be the first player who was ruled “out” during that particular game (and the order of returning players should be maintained...i.e. the third player to be eliminated will be the third player to return to the court). Reminder: substitute players must wait until the next game. A player that is already holding a ball cannot “catch” a second ball.

viii. A player that is holding a ball can use it to deflect/block another ball that is thrown at them by an opponent. However, if the ball being held is dropped due to the second ball, the person who dropped the ball is OUT. A deflected ball is still considered "live" until it hits the ground/wall/obstacle. (i.e. if it hits another player or the player using the ball to block before hitting the ground or wall, the hit player is out). NOTE: If you defect a ball into your teammates head, they are out.

ix. A live ball that rebounds off of a player (from an unsuccessful catch, hits off their body, is deflected by another ball, etc) may be caught by any other in-bounds player prior to the ball becoming dead (hitting ground or wall). As usual, the thrower is OUT, and the catching team can return a player.

x. If a player is in possession of a ball and wants to catch an opponent ball to eliminate that player, they must drop the ball they are holding in order to catch the ball and eliminate the other player. If a player is holding a ball and catches a defenders ball without dropping the other ball, that player is out.

NOTE: When a player is hit by a ball and the ball deflects upwards, there is the possibility that the original ball will either be caught by a teammate (saving the hit player) or the ball will hit the ground/wall/obstacle (meaning the ball is dead and the hit player is out). In this split second window of time, the hit player may be involved with another ball. However, that players' ability to make a successful play on the second ball (i.e. attempt to catch it) depends on the outcome of the first ball. If the first ball does become dead, the player is out and cannot make a play on a second ball - even if the second ball was caught BEFORE the first ball hits the ground. If the original ball is caught by a teammate (saving the player), and that player has caught the second ball in the meantime, the catch is a valid one, and the thrower of the second ball is out. (and the catching team returns one player to their court as usual).

xi. It is the responsibility of all players to make a fair and honest call as to whether or not they were hit. Players shall be deemed "out" when a live ball hits any part of the player's body, clothing, or uniform. Therefore if a player feels the slightest contact, they are out! No question. Promote fun and safety throughout the game. Congratulate your opponent on fun and fair play throughout the night! Conduct yourself with maturity if approached regarding your style of play and make any requested changes.

xii. Every time that only 2 players remain on the court (1 from each team), the timekeeper should announce that the two players have "10-seconds" to eliminate each other. After the 10-seconds has expired, if the game has not yet ended, each team will return one player to the court.

xiii. Players cannot purposely kick the ball towards their opponents. Hands-only, please.

xiv. Headshots NOT permitted

Players should make an effort to throw low. If a player gets hit above the neck, while standing they are NOT out. The only exceptions are if a player changed to a bent position after the throw (e.g. bent down to get a ball) or purposely uses his / her head to block a live ball. In this circumstance, the player is deemed out. Or If a player throws a ball and the opposing player deflects the ball and it hits their own teammate in the head or face, then they are out.
TEAM REFEREES ARE TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON HEADSHOTS IF PLAYERS CAN'T DECIDE ON THEIR OWN.

5. Scoring/Winning:

Games will consist of as many matches possible in the 55 minute period.
Each match won will count for one point.
If a game is still being played when time expires, the team with the most live players on the court at the time will win the game. If teams have the same number of players when time is called, the team who eliminates the next player wins.
Ties are allowed during the regular season. If a match is tied at the end of a playoff game, a 3-minute overtime session will break the tie. (a new game should be started right away with a full 6 players). If this final game is not completed within the 3 minutes, then the team with the most players remaining on the court will be declared the winner. If, after 3 minutes, there are the same number of players left on both teams, then the team that eliminates the next player wins the game.

6. Rough Play:

ANY ROUGH OR PHYSICAL PLAY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM FURTHER LEAGUE PLAY AND MAY RESULT IN LIFETIME LEAGUE EXPULSION. PLEASE SEE THE KWCJAM POLICY SHEET FOR OUR OFFICIAL POLICY ON THIS SUBJECT. All players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.