#1 Rule: Don’t Be a Dick
Since its first dodgeball was thrown, the Eagle Rock Yacht Club has steadfast by the expression “don’t be a dick.” More than just a simple slogan or motto, it’s our Golden Rule, Declaration of Independence, and Ten Commandments all rolled into one. We deal with dicks everyday in our non-dodgeball lives, from the seemingly oblivious grocery store line-cutter to the loudest-honking freeway speedster, and sometimes even straddle the dick-line ourselves. Though for the short time every week when we gather to run around a rec center and throw rubber balls at each other, there are no dicks allowed. Leave your dickishness at the door. Vamonos, el dicko.
What qualifies a person as being a dick anyway? Of course, the forceful flinger who manages to blast every face on the opposing team with a single dodgeball and no apology is clearly the dictionary definition of a dick. But there’s subtle dickery afoot as well. For instance, it’s possible to let someone know a ball grazed their shoulder without instigating a cross-court shouting fest, right?
But don’t get us wrong, all of this dick talk should in no way threaten or hinder the competitive spirit. However, the cocky swagger of an aggressive pro dodgeballer shouldn’t impress anyone in the Yacht Club. After all, when all is said and done we’re still playing a children’s game here, we aren’t curing diseases with every catch, and nuclear weapons won’t go off if we lose, and we’ve moved past their level of maturity where it’s acceptable to use words like “dick.”
If there’s ever a question as to how to handle a dispute during dodgeball, remember that, at the end of the day, it’s only dodgeball.
So whether it be on the court, in the car or at a business meeting, keep calm, let the trivial stuff slide, and, you guessed it, don’t be a dick.
Game Play Rules
Don’t shout.
The gym is loud, echoey and does a pretty terrible job at carrying anything easily identified as the English language. So, if you’re calling a player out, instead of yelling at one another, step aside and have a quick chat and explain why/what happened like mature adults. 90% (I made that statistic up) of all disagreements are simple misunderstandings of the rules and/or situation.
The Court is…
The court is divided in half by a center line. On either side of and parallel to the center line there is also a Throw Line several feet away from the center line. This might help
General Game Play.
Before the game begins, 7 balls are placed at the center line and each team lines up at opposite ends of the court. When the game is started, (“REAAAADDYY GOOOOO!”) players may run to get a ball. If you retrieve a ball you must take that ball behind the Throw Line before throwing this ball at the opposing team. Once you clear the Throw Line you may come to the Center Line to throw. Clearing the Throw Line is only required at the start of each game.
Crossing the Center Line.
You’re out if any part of your body crosses the center line. But unless you’re excessive we’ll probably let it slide. But don’t cry like a baby or be surprised if you’re called out for crossing the center line.
Catches
A caught ball from an opposing player will bring back 1 player from the catchers team.
Live ball
A live ball is a ball thrown (not kicked, or spiked) by an opposing player.
You’re Out if…
You’re a Dick. Your throw is caught. You’re hit with a ball thrown by an opposing player. A ball hits your teammate then hits you without being caught. Have a ball knocked out of your hands by an opposing players throw.
That’s a Dead Ball…
Once a live ball touches the ground, net, wall, ceiling, etc., it becomes dead. It also becomes dead when hitting an out player, another ball or a player’s head. More on that…
Head-Shots!
If a player is hit cleanly in the head, that player is not out and that ball is considered dead. Except if the same player is able to catch it. Otherwise, anything that happens after the head-shot does not count, BUT anything before the head-shot does. So, if the ball hits you in the shoulder/neck and THEN your face (and you are unable to catch it), you are out. Please be honest.
Basically, head-shots are huge no no! If you hit someone in the face…
YOU MUST APOLOGIZE. Yes, we mean it.
And if your team captain feels as if the head-shot was due to a reckless throw, they will make you take an out. For real.
Hoarding Balls
Don’t do it. We’re here to play dodgeball not stare at each other. Throw the balls or give them to the other side so they can throw them at you.
Deflecting/Ricochets
You can deflect a ball(s) with another ball, but if in the process of deflecting you drop the ball or deflect it onto yourself (foot, leg, even your head, etc..) you are out. If your throw is caught off a deflection (ball or human) you are also out . (crappy we know) Unless the ball has hit an inanimate object (wall, basketball hoop etc..) before hitting you.
Touching the Ball After You’re Out
Resist the urge! Please don’t touch/kick any of balls that are in play once you’re out. If you are out and interfere with or prevent a ball from returning to the opposite side of the court we’ll be forced to give you one serious wedgy or swift kick to the shin. If the ball rolls outside the playing area, it is fair game, but the ball must be completely out of bounds.
Subs
(Regular season only, not tournaments or playoffs) Subs are cool with us as long as the other team captain doesn’t mind. Don’t expect to bring in a ringer for the playoffs, though. No subs allowed during week playoffs/finals.
Fun Rules
The rules below are not typically used in tournaments unless clearly specified and may vary depending on local preferences.
Basketball Shot:
The last remaining player on a team will have one chance to shoot a dodgeball into the opposing teams basketball hoop. If he/she makes the shot their entire team will come back into the game.
Outline Catches:
While standing in the Out-Line if a player is struck by a live ball thrown by the opposing team you must go to the end of your teams Out-Line.
If a player in the Out-Line catches a live ball thrown by the opposing team that player will be moved to the front of the Out-Line.
If the player at the front of the Out-Line catches a live ball that player will be allowed to re-enter the game, but the thrower is not out.