24 The Week Junior • 23 April 2022
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Dodgeball
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s you might guess from the name of the game, the aim
of dodgeball is for players on a team to dodge
soft balls being thrown at them by the other
team. If a player is hit by a ball thrown at them,
they are out. It’s a fast, fun and at times frantic
game that’s a very popular school sport.
Dodgeball is usually played with mixed teams
of boys and girls. Generally, a game will have
six players in each team.
Each game is called a “set”. It begins
with players lined up on the back line
on their side of the court. If six balls
are placed on the centre line then
when the set starts, three players
from each team will rush to pick up
their three balls. If five balls are used,
a team will collect two each, and the
centre ball is collected by the first player
to reach it. Players must always stay on their
own half of the court.Before a ball can be thrown it must become “active”. This
means it must touch the back wall (if a back wall is being
used) or it is taken out of the neutral zone. This is the zone
marked by a line either side of the middle of the court,
about one metre from the centre line. Players who are hit
by a thrown ball, before it bounces, are out. A team wins
the set if all of the other team’s players are out, or
if they have more players left than the other
side after the set time finishes.
If you catch a ball thrown by the
other team, before it bounces, then
the person who threw it is out
instead. If you are holding a ball and
the other team throws a ball at you,
you are allowed to block it by using
your ball and stopping it from hitting
your body first. The rules and tactics of
dodgeball can take some time to learn
but you will soon understand this speedy
game of throwing, running and dodging.Dodgeball teams
are usually mixed.Enjoy throwing, running, catching and blocking when you play...
“IT IS A TACTICAL
TEAM SPORT”
“I am a member of
Eden Dodgeball
Club and enjoy
training sessions
and tournaments.
I love dodgeball
because it is a fast,
tactical, fun team sport that helps
you learn skills such as throwing,
catching and dodging. I like that
all ages can play and I enjoy playing
in mixed or
all-girl teams
in training and
tournaments.
It is great for
keeping fit,
making
friends and
when you play
you feel the
adrenaline
rush inside!”Name:
MillyCatching a ball can
get an opponent out.DOD
GE^YOU
KNO
W?The^ US
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men’s^world^ d
odgeba
ll^
champ
ions.HOW, WHAT,
WHERE?How can I get involved?
Ask your teacher if you can play
dodgeball during PE or perhaps your
school could organise an after-
school club or session. A group
called British Dodgeball helps run
the sport in the UK. To find out more
and to see if there is already a club
near you, go to britishdodgeball.orgHow safe is dodgeball?
Throwing balls at each other may
seem dangerous but remember
that they are soft, foam balls that
won’t hurt. Knee and elbow pads
can be worn for extra protection.
Dodgeball is not a contact sport and
match referees make sure that the
rules are followed and the sport is
played in a safe and fun way.