Games - Dodgeball

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	Games - Dodgeball

:This article is about the sport. For the 2004 movie, see Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. For the GSN Show, see Extreme Dodgeball.

Dodgeball (or dodge ball) is the name of a traditional elementary school game, taught in high school education classes, but also popular in informal settings, often played by schoolchildren on a playground. There are many variations of the game, but all involve some players trying to avoid being hit by a ball, that other players are throwing at them.

Players are usually split into teams, though sometimes play individually. A number (although sometimes only one) of medium-sized rubber balls (the same sort used in four square) are placed in a central location. The objective of each player is to hit an opponent so as to eliminate him or her from the game. The game ends when one player (or team) remains. Foam balls are also sometimes used.

In some variants, catching the ball enacts a reversal; if the target catches (rather than dodges) the ball, the thrower is eliminated. In other variations a catch (in addition to eliminating the thrower) also allows another player from the catching team to re-enter (this was first added in mid-70's in Flint, MI public school). In other variants which don't allow catching, handling the ball counts as a hit, while punching or handling the ball with a closed fist does not. In all versions, a player who steps from his square to the enemy team's square is also eliminated.

One rule variant specifies that players who are hit, instead of stepping off the court, sit down where they are hit. If any of these players should later catch a ball thrown by the opposing team, the opposing thrower is out (and must sit down) and the player who caught the ball is back in.

Some variants play where they play commonly on an indoor basketball court. Players can try to shoot the ball into the hoop on the opponents' team. If it makes it, all players from that team come back in.

Renaissance

The sport of dodgeball is experiencing new growth in recent years thanks to the release of the 2004 comedy "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story". While the 2004 comedy can be partially attributed to the rebirth of the sport, the resurgence of dodgeball was in full-swing before the movie re-debut in certain areas. Leagues such as the National Amateur Dodgeball Association , and other emerging entities such as the National Dodgeball League, have all existed since before the popularization of the sport through the media. The rebirth of this, and other school yard games, might also be attributed to the growth in popularity of culture, movies, and fashion of past decades such as the 1980s.

Variations

Several variations of dodgeball include Super Dodgeball, Scramble, Pin-Dodge, Dr. Dodgeball, King's Court, King sting, "German" Dodgeball, Barrier Dodgeball, Battleship, Ultraball, and Prison Ball.

Super Dodgeball is a team-based variation of dodgeball rules involving two teams of six players, and one 8.5 inch rubber playground ball. Super Dodgeball is best played on a tennis court with a dividing net, however, it can be played on any square court that is divided into two equal sections. The rules of this game are based on awarding points, and not the elimination of players. The rules for this game are an adaptation based on the Nintendo game of the same name, Super Dodge Ball, and have been edited and refined over the past 3.5 years by the Jackson Underground Dodgeball League. Each team consists of three or more dodgers, and three throwers per team. Dodgers of one team remain on the inside of one-half a tennis court. Throwers of the same team remain on the outside of one-half a tennis court, on the opposite side of their throwers. Throwers may throw at opponent dodgers, but may not be thrown at. Only dodgers of the opposing team may be thrown at. Dodgers may throw at opposing dodgers. When an opposing player is hit, the team that threw the ball is awarded a point. The first team to ten points wins. Teams must win by at least two points. Matches consist of the best of three games.

Fumbles is a free-for-all schoolyard game that uses a smaller ball, usually a tennis ball or a spaldeen. It can be played anywhere with a relatively high wall, e.g the side of a building. The game starts when a player bounces the ball off the wall. If the ball is caught by another player on the full i.e before it hits the ground then the player who caught the ball will throw it at the player who bounced it off the wall with the intention of hurting them. However, if the 1st player runs to the wall and touches it he is 'safe and the ball cannot be thrown at him. If the ball has bounced off the wall and it hits the ground first before someone catches it the 1st player is also safe. If the player who goes to catch the ball drops it or it hits any part of there body they are said to have 'fumbled' the ball and must attempt to touch the wall before the ball can be thrown at them. The game can also involve double or triple fumbles, i.e the player who moves to recover the ball after the other player has fumbled it also fumbles it, in which case he or she must also attempt to touch the wall as they are also elligible to have the ball thrown at them. This game is played in some Australian schoolyards and is usually prohibited due to the ball being thrown hard at people with the intention of pain, but this does not stop it from being played.

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Games - Dodgeball

Renaissance

Variations

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