What is it?
Advantages
Disadvantages
Dodgeball gear
Who should participate?
Ways to play dodgeball
Guidelines

Until recently, dodgeball was a mainstay in elementary and middle school physical education classes. Competitive, fast-paced, and fun, dodgeball helps children hone their gross motor skills and teaches them how to react quickly to constantly changing game situations. Because of its relatively high injury risk, however, dodgeball has recently fallen out of favor in many schools districts. It is still played in less formal settings, like parks and back yards.

What is it?

There are many ways to play dodgeball, but in general the object is to hit an opponent with a ball or to avoid getting hit. Newer variations involve hitting a ball against a wall rather than a person.

The traditional dodgeball game involves two teams, usually with at least six players per team. One team is designated "throwers" and forms a large circle. The other team consists of "dodgers" who position themselves in the middle of the circle. The throwers try to hit one or more dodgers with the ball. While staying within the circle, the dodgers try to avoid getting hit by jumping out of the way, ducking, or otherwise dodging the ball.

If the ball strikes a dodger, that child is out for the round. If a dodger catches the ball on a fly, the player who threw the ball is out. The winning team is the one with the last person left on the court. The throwers and dodgers then switch roles for the next round.

Throwing the ball at someone's head is strictly forbidden in dodgeball; anyone who does so is out of the game. A good rule is that "hits" don't count unless the ball strikes a player at waist level or below.

Advantages

Many skills are used during dodgeball, including quick movements, quick change of direction, throwing, catching, and aiming. Dodgeball also teaches children teamwork and the importance of keeping their eye on the ball at all times. These skills are transferable to a host of sports, including soccer, basketball, and tennis.

Dodgeball is aerobic and challenges every major muscle group. Children of all ages can play dodgeball, although it is safest when played by a group of children who are close in age or stature.

Physical education teacher Robin Kaplan of Fairlawn, NJ, who ordinarily loathes dodgeball because of its "sadistic" nature, says the activity is so loved by schoolchildren that she occasionally uses it as a "reward" after the main lesson is finished.

Disadvantages

Cindy Weisman, Program Administrator for Physical Education for the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, says her organization does not support dodgeball as an appropriate practice for PE classes "because it uses children as human targets."

"There are other activities that can teach children the same skills gained from playing dodgeball," she points out.

Kaplan says the main problem with dodgeball is finding a ball that is heavy enough to be thrown with accuracy yet soft and light enough to not injure anyone. If thrown at high velocity, rubber playground balls, volleyballs, and soccer balls can sting the skin or cause a more serious injury. Sponge balls tend to be so light that they can cause the thrower to sustain a rotator cuff injury if thrown too hard. One possible solution is a vinyl-covered foam rubber ball, but even these could potentially cause injury if thrown hard enough at the face or another vulnerable body part.

Children can literally be knocked off their feet in dodgeball. Or they can get the wind knocked out of them if hit in the chest while attempting to catch the ball. A child could also get whacked in the head or face by ducking in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It can be hard to keep certain children from whaling the ball like a grenade during dodgeball. The risk for injury is increased when the thrower is bigger and stronger than the dodger. The importance of adult supervision during dodgeball--and strict enforcement of safety rules--cannot be overemphasized.

Dodgeball gear

Children should wear athletic shoes and comfortable clothing. A relatively lightweight ball with plenty of "give" should be used.

Dodgeball can be played indoors in a gymnasium or outdoors, preferably on grass, sand, or mulch. It can be played safely in a house if a Nerf ball is used.

Who Should Participate?

Children in grammar or middle school are the best ages for dodgeball. High schoolers are generally too big and strong to play the game safely. Preschoolers can learn to play but should use a Nerf ball or crumpled piece of paper only.

Ways to play dodgeball

Dodgeball can be played in a variety of ways. The traditional version of dodgeball is described above. Here are some newer (and in some cases, safer) twists on the game:

Sniper: This requires a long wall or side of a house and a big rubber ball or kickball. Someone is designated the thrower, and everyone else lines up against the wall. The thrower stands at least 10 feet back and attempts to hit an opposing player below the waist. If someone gets hit, he or she becomes the thrower. The object is not to throw the ball hard, but to throw it accurately in order to catch someone trying to dodge the ball.

Target: Here, kids divide into two teams. One team forms two lines facing each other, and the second team scatters about between the lines of the first team. Two or more balls are used. The first team throws the balls at members of team 2, who try to dodge the balls or catch them on a fly. If a member of team 2 is hit below the shoulders, he or she is "out." Any team 2 player who catches the ball on a fly receives a free "life." That "life" can be used to remain in the game if hit by the ball later in the round. A player may not receive more than three "lives" per round. Each time a player subsequently catches a ball, he or she may bring back teammates players who were out. When all players of team 2 are out, the teams switch places.

Kinder, Gentler Dodgeball: This indoor variation on the dodgeball theme has the children form a circle. A Nerf ball or a crumpled piece of paper is tossed from one player to another, and whoever drops the ball sits down. The last person standing is the winner. It's a good rainy day, game and nobody gets hurt, and hopefully nothing gets broken.

Multiple Ball Dodgeball: Demarcate the playing area with a garden hose or other divider, with one team on each side. Teams may not cross the divider during play. Gather as many balls as possible and split them between the two teams to start. All at once, players throw the balls at the other team, trying to hit their opponents below the waist. If an opponent catches your ball on the fly, you are out. If a ball hits you below the waist, you are out. The last person or team to remain in the game wins.

Frisbee War: For this version, divide the playing surface in half as in the version above, and use three or four Frisbees instead of balls.

Guidelines

• Before the game begins, explain the rules in clear and concise terms and make sure everyone understands the rules.
• Tell the children that anyone who throws the ball (or Frisbee) at head level will be removed from the game.
• Tell the children that anyone who throws the ball hard enough to hurt somebody will be removed from the game.
• Make sure the ball or balls you use are not too hard or heavy.
• Ensure that the children are wearing appropriate footwear (no bare feet allowed).
• Make sure that all the children playing dodgeball are roughly the same age and size.