Rules

The Team

Teams will be made up of 6 players. At least one of these players must be female. Up to 4 additional players may accompany the team as substitutes.

The Format

The tournament will be a round robin format. Teams will be divided randomly onto one of six courts and will play each of the other teams assigned to that court one time in a single four-minute game. Each team will play about 10 fast games in the morning.

Morning games will determine seeds and playoff bracketing that will have two skill divisions for the playoffs: the Vegas League and the Average Joes’ League. All of the matches will be four minutes long including playoffs. Every team will make the playoffs.

In the afternoon, each league will have a single elimination tournament to determine a winner. Games will be best two out of three four minute games. Refs will monitor all games.

The Game

The object of the game is to eliminate players on the other team. You can do this by throwing a live ball and hitting an opposing player anywhere besides their head or face. If a player ducks and gets hit in the head then they are still out. If you catch a live ball from an opposing player, then the thrower is out and a new player from the catching team can come in. First out first in.

Boundaries

Once play begins players may not step outside of the boundaries or lines or they will be called out. If they step out at all to get a ball they are out. They must stay in at all times. Other teammates or other players from other teams will help the current team playing get balls and hand it to them. Once a player is out they can help their team get balls. If a player steps OVER the midline while throwing or on the rush they will be called out. Or if a player steps OVER a boundary line they will be called out.

The Opening Rush

At the start of each game each team will have six players on a side. At least one player must be female. At the whistle or call of the game the players will rush for the three balls to their right side only. Once they get their balls they must bring it back behind the back line and then play will start. A ball must be cleared before it can be thrown. If the ball is thrown before that, the throw will not count and the player will be called out.

Blocking

You may use a ball to block an incoming ball. If you lose control of the held ball and drop it and it hits the ground or other object besides yourself then the holder is out. If you are blocking and the opposing ball hits the holder’s ball and then hits the holder, the holder is out. If an incoming ball hits a holder’s ball and then the holder catches it that is a legal catch. NOTE: An incoming ball is only live to the first contacted person. So if a ball hits a holder’s ball and hits another player, that player is still in. Or if a ball hits a holder’s ball and another teammate catches it nothing happens. So if a player blocks a ball then gets hit with the ball, and then the ball hits another teammate; only the holder is out not the second player. This is the same with catching.

Overtime

Each game will last four minutes and the team with the most players at the end of the time limit will win the game. If teams are tied they go to an overtime, where the first person on a team gets out then the game is over. And the other team wins. Only 1 minute overtime, if no one out then it is a tie. No ties in playoffs you keep playing. Referees must yell out when 1 minute is left in a game then 30 second mark and 10 second mark.

Time-Outs & Substitutions

There will be no Time-Outs allowed, except in the case of injuries. Substitutions are not allowed during any individual Game. Teams may switch the roster with substutites before the start of any Game.

Holding Rule

There is a new rule to prevent stalling and keep the game moving. At the start of every game each team will be decided as a home or away team, it will be on the schedule. During game play the team with the most balls must THROW OR ROLL the ball into the back court of the other team within 5 seconds (not just place the ball over the line) or the referee can penalize the team for stalling. (Ejection of a player on that team, team’s choice) If ball count is tied than the team with more players must THROW OR ROLL the ball within five seconds or they will get penalized. If balls and players are both even than the away team must THROW OR ROLL first or they will get penalized. This rule should be implemented only if the teams look to be stalling at any point in the game. If game play is running smoothly and it looks like the players are making the game move then this rule does not have to be so strictly enforced. Once stalling starts to occur referees must intervene. Referees should be respected and their rule is final, they are doing their best. Arguing with the referees will be cause for ejection of player and if continues forfeit of game or ejection of team from the tournament.

Rule Enforcement

All contests will be supervised by an event referee. THE REFEREE’S DECISION IS FINAL NO EXCEPTIONS.

Dodging Diabetes Code of Conduct

Be a good sport
Remember this is for charity
Say thank you to your refs – they are all volunteering and doing their best
Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game
Be nice to other teams – they are here for the right reasons too
Don’t be a hyena out there