Dodgeball Rules

Code of Conduct

• Players must follow the Carleton University Intramural & Adult League Player Code of Conduct.
• Sportsmanship, respect, and fair play are essential.
• Actions such as taunting, aggression, intimidation, or deliberate fouls are prohibited.
• Fighting or intentional injury will result in immediate removal from the league (zero-tolerance policy).

Eligibility & Registration

• Open to Carleton students, staff/faculty, and alumni with an active gym membership.
• Players may play for one dodgeball team per semester.
• Team shirts are provided and must be worn for each game.
• All players must be registered in the Fusion Play App and check in with the league official before playing.
• A valid student/staff ID must be shown before each game.
• Players must participate in at least 5 games to be playoff eligible (approved spares count).
• Spares must be pre-approved by the League Supervisor and added to the team roster.
• Players cannot play for multiple teams in the same division.

Game Supervision

• Each game is officiated by one league official.
• Officials are responsible for checking eligibility, sign-ins, and enforcing rules.
• All officials’ and organizers’ decisions are final.
• Team captains handle communication with the official and are responsible for team behaviour.
• Abusing officials will result in ejection or suspension.

Equipment

• No jewelry, hard casts, or braces are allowed.
• Players must wear non-marking shoes, team shirts, and athletic apparel.
• Six dodgeballs and cones (for boundaries) are provided by the league.

Gameplay Rules

1. Players

• Games are 6 vs 6.
• Mixed teams must maintain a gender ratio of 3:3 or 4:2 at all times.
• Teams with fewer than 4 players at start time forfeit the game.
• All players must be listed on the official roster and wear matching shirts.

2. Scoring & Time

• Each match lasts 50 minutes.
• Matches are best of 5 games or whichever team has the most players left when time expires.
• Teams must start on time — no additional time will be added.
• No overtime in regular season play.
• The referee keeps official time.

3. Boundaries

• Games are played on a volleyball-sized court.
• Crossing the centre line (except during ball retrieval at the start) results in being out.
• Players must remain within boundaries but may leave through the backline to retrieve stray balls.

4. Start of the Game

• Players start face down behind their baseline.
• Six balls are placed along the centre line.
• On the whistle, players rush to retrieve the balls but must retreat behind the restraining line before throwing.
• Players cannot be hit until they cross behind their restraining line.
• No roughhousing during the initial ball retrieval.

5. Elimination

A player is out if:

• They are hit below the shoulders by a live ball.
• Their thrown ball is caught by an opponent (the thrower is out, and the catching team returns one player).
• They drop a ball while attempting to block.
• They are hit on the head while throwing or crossing the centre line (second offence = ejection).
• They hold a ball for more than 5 seconds.

Additional rules:

• A ball deflected and then caught eliminates the thrower.
• If a ball hits two players, only the first hit counts.
• If a player ducks into a headshot, the hit is legal.

6. Timeouts

• Each team is allowed one 1-minute timeout per game.

League Standings & Points

• Win: 2 points
• Tie: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points
• No overtime in round-robin play.
• Standings are updated weekly in the Fusion Play App.

Forfeits & Defaults

• A forfeit is declared 10 minutes after the scheduled start if a team cannot field enough players.
• Captains may use the default (no penalty) or forfeit (point penalty) function in Fusion Play at least 10 hours in advance.
• If both captains agree, a game may still be played with reduced numbers.

Tie-Breakers

If Two Teams Are Tied:

1. Head-to-head record
2. Most wins
3. Goal differential
4. Most goals scored
5. Fewest goals allowed
6. Coin flip

If Three Teams Are Tied:

1. Winning percentage between tied teams
2. Most wins
3. Goal differential (For and Against)
4. Coin flip

Playoff Format

• Format varies by league size and facility availability.
• Schedules posted in the Fusion Play App.
• In playoffs, if tied after regulation, sudden-death overtime is played until one team wins.

Cancellation Policy

• First cancellation: no reschedule or refund.
• Second/Third cancellation: games rescheduled or credited toward next season if reschedule is not possible.

Injury Policy

• Injuries must be reported to the official immediately.
• Bleeding players must leave the court until the issue is resolved.
• Intramural participation is at one’s own risk; players are responsible for any injury or property damage costs.