International rules dodgeball: Everything you need to know
Why play international rules dodgeball?
If you want to compete in dodgeball at regional, national, or international tournaments, you’ll be playing with international rules. Our International tournaments and leagues follow the same rules as Dodgeball Canada: World Dodgeball Federation rules.
WDF rules are also popular in other cities (like Regina!) so Saskatonians who have played this style elsewhere may feel more comfortable with these rules.
What’s different between WDF and rec league rules?
Overall, the game is the same: Two teams of six try to get the other team out by hitting them with foam dodgeballs; teams get a point for winning a set, and the team with the most points at the end of a match wins the game.
But there are quite a few differences in the specific rules. Here is a rundown of some of the most notable rule differences.
WDF rules
- Games are 40 minutes with two 20-minute halves.
- At the end of each half, the game will go into sudden death.
- At the end of the first half, the teams will switch halves of the court.
- The ball is 7 inches.
- Boundaries are in effect — if you go out of bounds, you are out.
- Refs keep track of Advantage (see below) which may result in balls being turned over.
- Players may carry more than one ball.
- If a teammate catches a ball that hit you, you’re not out.
- The 6 balls are placed on the centre line.
Play Sask rules
- Games are 50 minutes with no halves.
- Sudden death only occurs when there’s only one player left on each team.
- Teams don’t switch halves of the court.
- In some Play Sask leagues, the balls are 8 inches.
- There are no boundaries.
- Play Sask does not have refs to keep track of Advantage
- If players pick up more than one ball, they are out.
- You’re out even if a player on your team catches a ball that hit you.
- The 6 balls are placed halfway between the wall and the centre line on each team’s side of the court.
Advantage
Advantage is one of the biggest differences between the two playstyles. Here’s a rundown of how Advantage works.
- The team with Advantage must throw a ball within 10 seconds.
a. The 10-second countdown restarts when a ball is thrown by any team. - Advantage is given to the team that;
a. has the most balls on their half of the court; or
b. if the number of balls on each half is equal, has the most live players; or
c. if the number of live players on each team is equal, has not thrown last; or
d. if neither team has thrown, that last won a set. - If a ball has not been thrown within 5 seconds, a clearly audible countdown will begin.
- If a ball has not been thrown within 10 seconds, the team with Advantage must forfeit all the balls on their half of the court to the opposing team.
a. Live players and ball retrievers must pass those balls to the opposing team in a
timely manner.
