How to Run a Dodgeball Tournament - Summer Camp Programming

Last Updated on August 31, 2019

A week ago I received an email from someone asking me how to run a Dodgeball Tournament. This was for a recreation department that was looking to run a tournament for the local middle and high school, but the same principles can be applied to camps.

SET-UP

Use a tennis court or basketball court since boundary lines are already created.
It’s best to have 3 referees (one in the middle and two on the sides) as well as a score (and penalty) keeper.
Have places (bleachers, chairs, etc.) for spectators.
Tournaments that I have run in the past involved lots of music, refreshments and a good MC.
Younger kids who cannot compete enjoy cheering and making signs and decorations ahead of time.

RULES OF THE TOURNAMENT

Each team must have five players and may have up to two alternates. (The number of players can be changed, of course.)
There should be four divisions: Boys High School division, Girls High School division, Boys Middle School division, Girls Middle School division (at camp you could also have a staff division)
Each division must have at least four teams.
This will be a double elimination tournament.
No use of foul language will be tolerated.

GAME RULES

Team will have no more or no less than five players on the court at the beginning of each game.
Each round is the best of three games.
Each game has a time limit of three minutes. At the end of three minutes, the team with the most players on the court wins.
Two balls will be used during each game. (Increase the number of balls if you have more than five players per team.)
Balls will start on the midline at each game.
Players that step on or across any boundary line, including the mid-line, will be out.
Players who are hit by a ball thrown by the opposing team are out. unless:
- the ball is caught before hitting the ground,
- the thrown ball is deemed an intentional head shot,
- the thrown ball has hit another player first.
A player who throws the ball resulting in a head shot is out unless the opposing player is ducking to avoid the ball, in which the player being hit is out.
In order to keep the game moving, if a team has both balls on their side, they have five seconds (as counted out loud by a referee) to throw one of the balls. If the team does not discard the ball within five seconds, the charging referee will call one of the players out.
If a player catches a thrown ball before it hits the ground, one of their eliminated teammates may return to the court, and the opposing player who threw the ball is out.
Players may use a ball to block oncoming balls, but if they lose control of the ball they are holding and drop it, they are out.
Players may not physically touch any opposing player. This will result in the player being terminated from the tournament.

YELLOW CARD VIOLATIONS

Players may not argue with the referees decisions.
Players may not spike the balls.
Players may not kick the balls.
Players may not hold more than one ball at a time.
Bad sportsmanship will result in a yellow card as well.

BRACKET SHEETS

You can print off blank dodgeball tournament/bracket sheets at printyourbrackets.com.

FUN EXTRAS

Take team photos.
Take photos during the tournament.
Create a large bracket that can be hung on the wall.
Have music.
Provide refreshments.
Make it a fund-raiser for a local charity. Then create an adult bracket with a fire dept. team, police dept. team, mayor’s team, etc.
Have a best dressed team competition and encourage teams to wear costumes.

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