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NYC Social Sports Club Rules
Number of Players A team consists of a minimum of 6 and maximum of 14 players. Six players play on the court at a time, with at least 2 of them being women. If you only have 4 men and only one woman, you must play with 1 less player. You must have at least 4 players from your own team to start a match (not including subs). Substitutions If a team is short the required number of players in a regular season game, the team may invite players from other teams in their division to sub in for their game. Substitutions from outside the division are now allowed as well; for more info and to register as a Sub, CLICK HERE. Substitutions during the playoffs are not permitted.Game Length and Structure In this league, teams play 2 matches per night. Each match contains 3 games. GENERAL DODGEBALL RULES The Opening Rush After the warm-up period, the referee will blow a whistle to signal that the games are about to begin. Players then place the balls along the centerline. We use four balls per game, placed with two on either side of the centerline. There are six players on the court per game per team to start, at least two of which must be women. Players then take a position touching the back wall for the start. A signal by the referee starts the contest. Following this signal, teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. On the initial attack, teams must bring the ball to someone standing behind the back line of the court before the ball is live. Players may not put two feet over the centerline at any time. Any team throwing a ball before it is cleared to the back will surrender that ball to the opposing team.
What’s an Out?
1. Most outs require a LIVE thrown ball to be in play. A LIVE thrown ball is any ball thrown by a player on Team A that crosses through the air over the center line onto the half of the court occupied by Team B and has not hit the wall, hit the ceiling, hit the floor. The ball must also be thrown by a player who was fully in bounds and whose foot was not partially or fully over the centerline. 2. When a LIVE thrown ball hits a player of the opposing team below the neck, the hit player is out. Note: all clothing is considered part of the body, so if you are wearing a cape for theatrics (encouraged) or a jacket with fringes for rockin’ style and the ball hits your cape or your fringes, you will be called out. 3. When a player on the opposing team catches a LIVE thrown ball, the player who threw it is out. Note: deflections off the floors, walls, basketball backboards, or anything else that is not a person or a ball are considered "dead balls" and do not count. 4. When a live thrown ball hits a player on the opposing team and deflects off of that player and hits another player on the opposing team and then hits the ground, the wall, the ceiling, or leaves the court boundaries, both hit players are out. Note: If a teammate of the hit player(s) catches the ball before it hits the ground, the wall, the ceiling, or leaves the court boundaries, the hit players are “saved” and the person who threw the ball is out. 5. When a live thrown ball hits a player on the opposing team anywhere above the neck, it is considered a “headshot” and the player who threw the ball is out. Referees will have the final say whether or a throw is a headshot or not. 6. When a player on an opposing team successfully deflects a live thrown ball with another ball in his/her possession and the deflected ball is caught by a teammate before it hits the ground, the wall, the ceiling, another player, or leaves the court boundaries, it is considered a catch and the player who threw the ball is out. If a live thrown ball hits a dead ball that is being held by a player, no one is out. Note: it is legal to use a dead ball as a deflection device. 7. When a player on an opposing team attempts to deflect a live thrown ball with another ball in his/her possession and loses control of the original ball when the thrown ball hits it, the player who lost control of the ball used for deflection is out. Note: Players holding onto a dead ball for deflection purposes may choose to drop the ball so as to catch the oncoming ball from the opposing team, but this must be a clear drop. In these cases, the catching player is safe and the player who threw the caught ball is out. 8. When a player on an opposing team successfully deflects a live thrown ball with another ball in his/her possession and the deflected ball hits a teammate before it hits the ground, the wall, the ceiling, another player, or leaves the court boundaries, then hits the ground, the teammate who was hit by the deflected ball is out. Note: Be careful of friendly fire! Watch out for where you are sending your deflections. 9. When a player steps over the center line with two feet during the course of play OR when a player steps over the center line with one foot during the opening rush, that player is out. 10. When a player violates the shot clock, that player will be called out. 11. When a team has too many players on the court, that team will lose the extra players they have in the game as well as one more player as a penalty. Shot Clock/Stalling Teams in possession of more than one ball per on-court player have 10 seconds to throw a ball. This same rule applies when there are equal numbers of players and balls on both sides of the court (2 players on each side, 2 balls on each side, for example). One warning will be given per player (or per team, whichever is applicable). Subsequent violations will result in a player being called "out". It's good to be strategic, but stalling is not a part of Dodgeball. It is the Ref's discretion to declare stalling. Violations will result in the player being called "out". “When is it my turn to throw?” It’s your turn to throw when… 1. Your team possesses more balls than your opponent’s team. 2. Both teams have 2 balls, but your team has the most on-court players. 3. Both teams have an equal number of players and balls, you are required to throw because both teams are required to throw. 4. No team has thrown after the opening rush & teams posses an equal number of balls, and yours was the team who won the last game. 5. It’s the 1st game & no one has thrown yet, and both refs are calling for someone to “Throw the &%$## ball!!!” Please listen to them. In the immortal words of long-time Refs Bj & Vinnie, “This is Dodgeball, not stand around ball.” On The Safe Side 1. NO SHOTS ABOVE THE SHOULDERS. NO HEAD SHOTS. Anyone throwing a head shot, intentional or otherwise, will be considered "out" and the person who was hit will stay in the game. If you block a headshot with your hands, you will not be out - but this must be a clearly distinguishable defensive move. We always err on the side of safety, so we’ll lean towards calling headshots even in close calls. 2. If you put two feet over the centerline at any time during the game you are out. This also goes for sliding over the line – if you slide during the opening rush or at any point of the game, you will be “out.” 3. If you are holding a ball when you get hit “out” and retaliate by throwing the ball in your possession at the other team, you be sitting on the sidelines for the next game of the match. 4. Stay on your side of the court during game play. Crossing the centerline is considered an act of aggression by our Staff and, in our organization, is like trying to start a fight. Do it and you get the boot from the building! We like you, so don’t make us turn this car around. Boundaries 1. During play, all players must remain in bounds. This is defined as having both feet within the sidelines and behind the centerline. 2. Players may leave the boundaries to retrieve stray balls but not to dodge them. 3. A ball thrown from outside the blue boundary is considered a dead ball. However, if it is caught, the person who threw it is out. 4. If you are retrieving a ball from outside the blue boundary and are hit with a "live" ball you are out. 5. Players that get hit can catch their own deflection outside of the blue boundary and stay in the game. This is called “Saving Yourself.” Teammates may not go out of bounds to save a teammate and are limited to catching the deflection inside the blue boundary to keep the player in the game. Cycling In All players must stand behind the boundary line in the middle of the gym while waiting to be cycled in. If you catch a ball thrown by your opponent, a member of your team who is “out” may return to the game. Teams have discretion over who cycles in - with these exceptions:
A team loses their right to cycle in if they fail to put a player on the court within ten seconds. Forfeits Teams should report to the courts at least 15 minutes before their scheduled starting time of the game. A team will be forced to forfeit their game if any of the following occur: - No one from the team is present at game time - The minimum number of players are not present (4) - Improper conduct Teams will forfeit if they have not shown up by the scheduled game time. Exceptions can be made if a team is waiting on a couple of players (e.g. transit issues) with the understanding that the delay will cut time from the end of their game, and that the final decision is subject to the referee’s discretion. Sportsmanship points will be deducted from teams that forfeit a game due to a 'no-show' or a 'low-show.' Teams can minimize the deduction by Contacting Us ahead of time. Teams will receive:
Inclement Weather Season Abandonment Registered teams that miss two weeks of play will be considered to have abandoned their place in the league. Teams in this category will be contacted by a NYC Social Sports Club staff member to confirm their status. Teams failing to respond within two business days will be removed from the season schedule and will forfeit their registration fees. Teams that do respond will be required to supply reasoning for lack of attendance and petition the league for reinstatement. Season abandonment and reactivation decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the league management and must be resolved before returning to play in the current season or in subsequent seasons. Sportsmanship Rules Each team will be awarded a sportsmanship score following the game. Teams must have an average sportsmanship score of 4.0 at the end of the regular season to participate in the playoffs. Any team receiving below a 3.5 sportsmanship score will be required to send an email to the league explaining their actions before the team/offending players will be allowed to compete again. 5.0 – Excellent conduct and sportsmanship: This is the baseline, grading should start here. A team that does not have any problems will receive a '5'. Players cooperate fully with the officials and other team members. The captain calmly converses with the officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates & fans. 4.5 – Very few complaints. A good match with very little or no taunting or unsportsmanlike behavior exhibited by either team. 4.0 – Average conduct and sportsmanship: Team members verbally complain about some decisions made by the officials and/or show minor dissent. 3.5 – Team (and/or fans) complains more frequently and may get warned for unsportsmanlike behavior, but NO unsportsmanlike conduct penalties are assessed. Teams that alert the office before either a 'no-show' or 'low-show' forfeit are assigned a rating of 3.5. 3.0 – Below average conduct and sportsmanship: Team shows verbal dissent toward officials and/or opposing team that merits an unsportsmanlike penalty. Captain exhibits minor control over his/her teammates, spectators, but is in control of himself/herself. Teams that don't alert the office before a 'low-show' forfeit are assigned a rating of 3. 2.5 – No more than two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. No ejections. Captain tries to help the situation. Teams that don't alert the office before a no-show forfeit are assigned a rating of 2.5. 2.0 – Poor conduct and sportsmanship: Team member and/or spectators constantly comment to the officials and/or opposing team from the field and/or sidelines. Captain has some control over team. A team has no more than two unsportsmanlike penalties and/or will receive a 2.0 if one player gets ejected from match. 1.5 – Single ejection or multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, fans, or himself/herself. 1.0 – Multiple ejections. Captain has NO control over team and/or is not willing to work with NYC Social Sports Club Game Staff. 0.5 – Unacceptable conduct and sportsmanship: Captain has no control over teammates and/or himself/herself. Captain gets penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior. Team is completely uncooperative. Any team which receives multiple ejections or has a match stopped due to sportsmanship will receive a '1' rating. Ejected players and team captain must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues. 0 – Out of control conduct and little to no sportsmanship: Fighting, shoving players, and shoving supervisors. Multiple ejections or behavior so poor that it merits comparison to a fight or to actual contact of an employee. If the match is discontinued due to teams’ poor behavior, a rating of '0' will be given. A team that receives a 0 rating must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues. Note: Teams that do not arrive to the game with the appropriate colored jerseys will be docked a half a point (.5) for each missing t-shirt from their earned Sportsmanship Rating. Any team that has two (2) ejections for unsportsmanlike conduct during the same contest will receive a loss and a '1' in sportsmanship rating, plus their team captain will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why his team should be allowed back. Ejected Participants All ejected participants will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why they should be allowed to play again. Additionally, any individual ejected will be placed on the Sanction List and will not be permitted to participate in ANY hosted event until such time determined by the league. Participation in any further events prior to approval from the league will be looked upon as a blatant disregard of our policies. When rendering any further penalties, NYC Social Sports Club will take this action into account. Rulings may include, but are not limited to: probation, game/league suspension, and in severe cases, lifetime expulsion. PLAYOFFS The playoffs will include the top teams in a single elimination tournament. The top three teams will receive medals and prizes. Bar and Spirit Awards will be awarded to individual teams. For more info on our Season Awards, CLICK HERE. Teams not making the playoffs will be awarded a consolation game during the last week of the season. To be eligible for playoffs, teams cannot forfeit more than one game during the season. They must also have an average sportsmanship rating of at least ‘4.0’. Any team receiving a below average sportsmanship rating during the playoffs will be eliminated from the playoffs, plus their Captain will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why his team should be allowed back into future leagues. MOST IMPORTANTLY! THIS IS A SOCIAL LEAGUE: Have fun and make new friends. The game may or may not go your way, but the beer is still cold and cheap afterwards!
Drop-In Dodgeball FAQs Drop-In Dodgeball is our series of pickup games in between regular seasons. You can find more information about upcoming times/locations HERE. Q: Not a lot of people RSVP'd for this week's Drop-In on the Meetup page. Does this mean that the games are cancelled? A: Definitely not! Many people come to Drop-In without RSVP'ing on Meetup. We also often have regular league games during or before the Drop-In games. Drop-In always runs as scheduled. Q: Do I get a team t-shirt at Drop-In? A: Team t-shirts are only given to our members who register for an entire season. Since teams are formed on-site for Drop-In, there is no way for us to coordinate team t-shirts. Q: Do I get the post-game bar specials? A: Of course! We would love for you to join us at the bar afterward for drink specials!  |
