Rules

Dodgeball Australia respects the different forms of dodgeball across the world, including rule sets for Cloth and Foam Dodgeball.

The DA recognises the rules and regulations adopted by the World Dodgeball Association and Asian Dodgeball Federation at the international level. These regulations are utilised in the Australian Dodgeball Premier League, and all 5-ball Cloth Ball events.

5-Ball Cloth Dodgeball (International Regulations – 2024)

6-Ball Foam Dodgeball (Rules to be updated soon)

 

JUNIOR REGULATIONS (Major Differences)

  1. JUNIOR AGE GROUPS / BALL TYPE & SIZE

Dodgeball Australia plays with the following ball styles and sizes for their respective junior age groups:

  • Under 8’s / 12’s: 7-inch Foam Dodgeball
  • Under 16’s: 6-inch Cloth Dodgeball
  • Under 19’s: 7-inch Cloth Dodgeball

Five dodgeballs are used in each junior regulation game.

  1. THE COURT
    The official court dimensions for an adult-size court are: 17 metres (full length) x 8 metres (width).

However these dimensions have been adjusted to cater for the various junior age groups.

  • Under 8’s: 12 metres (full length) by 8 metres (width)
  • Under 12’s: 15 metres (full length) by 8 metres (width)
  • Under 16’s: 16 metres (full length) by 8 metres (width)
    Neutral Zone: 2 metres (1-metre each side of the centre line)
  • Under 18’s / 21’s (adult size): 17 metres (full length) by 8 metres (width)
    Neutral Zone: 2 metres (1-metre each side of the centre line)

The court dimensions may be varied, dependent on the available court space in the sports venue. For safety reasons, a minimum of one-metre of space is permitted from the perimeter of the court to the wall and /or back net.

  1. MATCH FORMATS:

Match formats vary, dependent on the age group:

  • Under 8’s / 12’s:
    1) A match consists of two 15-minute halves
    2) Sets run for a maximum of two minutes
  • Under 16’s / 18’s / 21’s:
    1) A match consists of two 15-minute halves
    2) Sets run for a maximum of three minutes