A BBBG guide to… Dodgeball

The only experience most Brits will have of dodgeball will be watching the timeless comedy classic of the same name, starring Vince Vaughan as the loveable loser out to secure the future of his ‘Average Joe’s’ gym by defeating Ben Stiller in a winner takes all grudge match. Luckily for you heathens, BBBG sport make it their business to learn everything about every sport (apart from dressage). So here’s our dummies guide to dodgeball for you to peruse at your leisure…

1. Benefits

Dodgeball truly is a game for the masses. Whether you’re a fitness freak on the lookout for a new sport to dominate, or someone of a more rotund persuasion aiming to participate in some casual sport, this is a game you can take part in. As a fast paced, simple pastime with varying levels of abilities, ages and genders represented, it is an ideal way of fighting lethargy and lack of fitness without having to face the often intimidating task of joining your local gym.

2. The basics

The aim of the game is to eliminate opposition players by mercilessly hurling the ball at them or catching one of their attempts to do the same to you. Simple as that really.

3. The rules

A match usually lasts five or seven games, with each game lasting two minutes. Without wanting to insult your intelligence, the winner of a game is the team with most players left on court at the end of each game or the team that completely eliminates all opposition members. The winner of the overall match is the team that wins the most games. Obviously. Each team usually has six players on court to begin with, with three substitutes sometimes allowed depending on tournament rules.

Each game starts with the ‘opening rush’, which is exciting and as devilishly chaotic as it sounds. This is where players dash from the back of the court to attempt to collect the balls from the halfway line. The balls must be passed or taken to the back of the court again before they can be hurled at the opposition.

Now this is where the carnage really begins. Players have five seconds once they collect a ball to throw it, and competitors can be given ‘out’ for the following:

• A live ball hits you or your clothing
• An opposition player catches your throw
• When you step into the ominously named deadzone
• If you touch or step over the boundary line
• Whenever the referee calls you out. One does not simply argue with a dodgeball referee. It’s sacrilege.

Lastly, and somewhat disappointingly, you’re not allowed to deliberately aim for opposition players’ heads.

4. The Court

 

To be honest, although this diagram shows the correct dimensions of a dodgeball court, you can have just as competitive a game on your bog standard basketball court found at most leisure centres. For smaller, possibly improvised playing areas, just reduce the number of players on each side. This really is a very accessible sport.

 

 

 

 

5. Equipment

As the name of the game suggests, you’ll need a ball. Other than that, all you really need is a sturdy pair of trainers and a decent pain threshold. Even that’s optional. You can buy a set of six official Mikasa dodgeballs for $39.99 on Amazon, which in Her Majesty’s glorious pounds sterling is around the 25 pounds mark.

6. Getting involved

If you happen to be a student at our fair city’s illustrious University of Lincoln, you can find details for joining their dodgeball team at the Student Union website. If you’re unfortunate enough to be a tax-paying member of society, you can find information on finding your nearest team, tournaments, coaching sessions and more about the sport at the United Kingdom Dodgeball Association.

And always remember. If you can dodge traffic, you can dodge a ball…

… For the love of dodgeball, please don’t try that at home.