Dodgeball Regulations

Please note: Regulations are currently under review for the 2023-24 season and so those currently published are subject to change.

DOD i The BUCS Dodgeball Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the following BUCS sport specific regulations, the BUCS general regulations, and the British Dodgeball (BD) Adult Rule Book.

DOD ii In the event that these regulations contradict the BUCS general regulations, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.

DOD iii In the event that these regulations contradict the British Dodgeball (BD) Adult Rule Book, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.

DOD iv In the event that the BUCS general regulations contradict the British Dodgeball (BD) Adult Rule Book, the BUCS general regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.

DOD 1.1 Women playing in men’s teams Women may play for either men’s or Women’s teams, however once an individual is selected for a team in a specific Championships (Men’s or Women’s) they may not then compete for a team in the other Championships for the remainder of the season.

DOD 1.2 Transgender athletes The policy relating to the participation of transgender student-athletes which shall be followed under REG 4.3 for the BUCS Dodgeball Championships shall be the British Dodgeball Transgender Policy.

DOD 2 Affiliations

DOD 2.1 British Dodgeball Education Membership All institutions/Playing Entities must be a member of British Dodgeball as per the requirements in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document by the deadline stated in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Failure to do so will lead to sanctions as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document and possibly further disciplinary action.

DOD 2.2 British Dodgeball Player Registration All players must be registered with British Dodgeball prior to playing in any BUCS Dodgeball fixtures, as per the requirements of the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Failure to do so will lead to sanctions as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document and possibly further disciplinary action.

DOD 3 Differences to the British Dodgeball Adult Rule Book

DOD 3.1 Age category Rule 1 shall not apply. Age eligibility shall be as per BUCS REG 4.1.2.

DOD 3.2 Equipment and clothing

DOD 3.2.1 Rule 4.4 shall not apply. All players competing on the same team in a match should wear tops of the same colour(s) as a minimum requirement. There is no requirement for teams to inform to inform BUCS, or any opposition teams of the colour(s) of its playing kit in advance of any fixtures. It is recommended that:

• Tops are of the same design.
• Tops feature unique numbers on the front and/or back.
• Bottoms are of the same colour.
• Bottoms should be of the same design.

DOD 3.2.2 Rule 4.5 is amended to state that: All footwear worn should be suitable for dodgeball and should be non-marking. BUCS and British Dodgeball reserve the right to prevent any player wearing marking footwear from competing. Injuries obtained through the use of ill-suited footwear are the responsibility of the player.

DOD 3.3 Match formats and scoring

DOD 3.3.1 If Rule 5.2 is amended to state that: All teams should have 6 players on court at the start of each set. Teams playing shorthanded must have a minimum of 4 players on court in order to compete. If one of the teams is not present (with at least four players) by this time they will forfeit the first set. If this team is still not present for the beginning of the second three-minute period (set) then they shall also forfeit this set. If this team is still not present for the beginning of the third three-minute period (set) then they shall be deemed to have conceded a walkover. If neither team is present (with at least four players) by the beginning of the first, second, and third three-minute periods, then the match shall be declared void.

DOD 3.3.2 Rule 5.3 is amended to state that: All teams must nominate a captain to represent their team to referees and officials. The captain should be made clear to the referee before the start of each match.

DOD 3.3.3 Rules 5.6 and 5.8 shall not apply.

DOD 3.3.3 Rule 5.9 shall not apply. The BUCS Dodgeball Championships shall follow the team selection and team sheet requirements of REG 11. The maximum number of players per team per match shall be 10. Players may only be substituted between sets.

DOD 3.3.5 Rule 5.12 is amended to state that: A set ends either when a team is eliminated, a team forfeits, or time expires. Teams will then re-set for the next period and must re-set immediately. Match officials will allow a maximum of 20 seconds for teams to re-set. A player or team wishing to forfeit a set should leave the court with one hand in the air and ask the referee to “re-set”. There is no limit to how early or late in a set a set may be forfeited. Forfeiting will result in a score of 0 players on court for the team forfeiting.

DOD 3.3.6 Rules 5.15 and 5.16 shall not apply.

DOD 3.3.6.1 Two points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.

DOD 3.3.6.2 Where a walkover has been awarded/conceded (REG 13), two points shall be given to the non-offending team and two points deducted from the offending team.

DOD 3.3.6.3 No points will be awarded to either team in the case of a void fixture.

DOD 3.3.7 Rule 5.17 shall not apply. Final league/pool positions will be primarily based on league/pool points accumulated. However, should there be any ties on points within a league/pool, they shall be split by the following sequential system:

DOD 3.3.7.1 A team tied on league/pool points who has conceded at least one voluntary walkover shall automatically be placed below any other tied teams who have conceded fewer voluntary walkovers. If a tie still exists, then DOD 3.3.7.2 or DOD 3.3.7.3 shall be followed as applicable.

DOD 3.3.7.2 Tie between two teams

DOD 3.3.7.2.1 Where two teams are tied on league/pool points, the result between the teams will be the determining factor in placing one team above the other. Where fixtures are played on a ‘home’ and ‘away’ basis, the aggregate score of the two (or more) matches will determine the higher placed team. If this does not determine the higher placed team;

DOD 3.3.7.2.2 Sets data shall be used as per DOD 3.3.7.2.3 – DOD 3.3.7.2.4. If the tie on league/pool points has been effected by any walkovers conceded to either of the teams or any void fixtures, all the relevant results against the team(s) which conceded the walkover(s) or the team(s) involved in the void fixtures (i.e. all the results between the teams tied on league/pool points and the team(s) conceding the walkover(s)/void match(es)) will be removed from the results table and the recalculated sets data shall be used.

DOD 3.3.7.2.3 The team with the higher sets difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;

DOD 3.3.7.2.4 The team with the higher number of sets won shall be deemed the higher placed team.

DOD 3.3.7.2.5 If the higher placed team cannot be determined from the system above, then this shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.

DOD 3.3.7.3 Tie between three or more teams

DOD 3.3.7.3.1 Where three or more teams are tied on league/pool points, a 'mini league' table shall be formed to calculate the higher placed team from the results between the relevant teams using the following sequential system:

DOD 3.3.7.3.2 League points accumulated. If a tie still exists;

DOD 3.3.7.3.3 The team with the higher sets difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;

DOD 3.3.7.3.4 The team with the higher number of sets won shall be deemed the higher placed team.

DOD 3.3.7.3.5 If the higher placed team cannot be determined from the system above, then this shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.

DOD 3.3.8 Rule 5.21 shall not apply. The team which will choose which end of the court each team will play in the first half shall be decided by the toss of a coin by the referee at the start of each match. This shall have no relation to which team is designated as the ‘home’ team for each match, which will be the first named team.

DOD 3.4 Retrieving Rule 8.2 is amended to state that: All BUCS Dodgeball matches will require the use of retrievers – a minimum of one and maximum of two per team. Teams are encouraged to provide their own retrievers for their matches. These may be substitutes, coaches or supporters.

DOD 3.5 Behaviour Rule 17.1 is amended to state that: It is a requirement that all players competing in the BUCS Dodgeball Championships abide by the British Dodgeball Code of Conduct.

DOD 3.6 Medical cover Rule 20.4 shall not apply. The Competition Coordinator (note DOD 6.4) for each round of league fixtures and each knockout competition will be available to provide first aid, however teams are strongly encouraged to bring their own first aid kit and particularly ice packs.

DOD 4 Withdrawal of teams

DOD 4.1 Teams can be withdrawn at any time prior to 10 working days before the first round of fixtures for their league. Once this deadline passes, teams cannot be withdrawn and any fixtures they do not fulfil will be recorded as walkovers. Please note the penalties incurred for multiple walkovers outlined in REG 13.7.5.

DOD 4.2 Institutions/Playing Entities wishing to withdraw a team once team entries for the season are closed are required to e-mail [email protected] with this request. If they have already been assigned a league, then they must also contact all other institutions/Playing Entities with teams in the league to inform them of this withdrawal.

DOD 4.3 Teams withdrawing will be removed from the competition structure and treated as a new team (note REG 8.3.3) should they wish to re-enter in future seasons.

DOD 5 Promotion and relegation

DOD 5.1 Promotion to and relegation from the Premier Tier

DOD 5.1.1 The 1^st–6^th place finishers in the National Premier league shall retain their place.

DOD 5.1.2 The 7^th and 8^th place finishers in the National Premier league shall play against the four Tier 1 league winners in the Trophy knockout competition. The two Trophy finalists will become the additional two Premier Tier teams for the following season, subject to them being a 1^st team. If one 2^nd or 3^rd team reaches the Trophy final, the 7^th placed team in the National Premier league will retain their spot for the next season, with the last remaining spot filled by the other finalist. If two 2^nd or 3^rd teams reach the final, the 7^th and 8^th placed teams in the National Premier league will retain their place for the next season.

DOD 6 Fixture administration This regulation supersedes REG 9.

DOD 6.1 BUCS, in partnership with British Dodgeball (BD), shall be responsible for the administration of all fixtures, as displayed on BUCS Play. Institutions/Playing Entities shall not be permitted to set or amend fixture dates, times, or venues.

DOD 6.2 Fixture dates and times

DOD 6.2.1 Fixtures for each league will be grouped into rounds which will take place on weekend dates between October and March, set by BUCS/BD. Where possible, each team will be scheduled at least two matches in each round.

DOD 6.2.2 League fixtures shall not be scheduled to take place after the relevant league deadline date as identified in Appendix 2 (‘BUCS Leagues and Knockouts – Dates and Deadlines’).

DOD 6.2.3 Where two or more teams from the same institution/Playing Entity are in the same league, BUCS/BD will not schedule a match between any of these teams to be the last league match for any of them at the last fixture round for that league.

DOD 6.2.4 Each knockout competition will be arranged so that all fixtures take place on a single date, set by BUCS/BD.

DOD 6.2.5 At each league fixture round/knockout competition, teams are required to register with the Competition Coordinator on their arrival. Teams are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the first match they are due to be involved in (playing or officiating).

DOD 6.2.6 Each fixture will be scheduled a match start time by BUCS/BD. Start times of all matches shall be input on BUCS Play no less than 14 days before they are scheduled to take place. However, BUCS/BD reserve the right to amend the start time of a match within 14 days of it taking place, or on the day, if required to ensure the smooth running of a league fixture round or knockout competition.

DOD 6.2.7 45 minutes will be allowed per match. This includes a 5-minute warm-up period that will be timed by the referee. The first three-minute period (set) of each match will begin at the end of the 5-minute warm-up time following the match start time.

DOD 6.3 Venues and equipment

DOD 6.3.1 British Dodgeball shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of appropriate facilities (including changing facilities) and equipment for all matches.

DOD 6.3.2 Once teams have been allocated to leagues, institutions/Playing Entities will be contacted by BUCS/British Dodgeball to see if they are able to provide a suitable facility to host any/all the rounds for any leagues which they have teams in and/or the knockout competitions. If there are any rounds/knockout competitions which institutions/Playing Entities are not able to provide facilities for, then British Dodgeball will source suitable facilities for these.

DOD 6.3.3 Access to facilities should be free of charge to student-athletes from all teams. Where charges exist, they shall be the responsibility of British Dodgeball to cover, unless stipulated otherwise in these sport specific regulations or agreed previously by the institutions/Playing Entities involved.

DOD 6.3.4 British Dodgeball shall be responsible for ensuring, with any facilities being used, that appropriate risk assessments have been conducted. These should be made available, upon request, to the any competing institution/Playing Entity.

DOD 6.3.5 Venues of all matches shall be input on BUCS Play by BUCS no less than 14 days before they are scheduled to take place. However, BUCS reserves the right to amend the venue of a match within 14 days, but no later than 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays), of it taking place if required to ensure the smooth running of a league fixture round or knockout competition.

DOD 6.3.6 Courts shall meet the specifications of the British Dodgeball Adult Rule Book and the British Dodgeball Adult Court Diagram.

DOD 6.4 Competition Coordinators British Dodgeball shall provide a Competition Coordinator for each round of league fixtures and each knockout competition. Responsibilities of Competitions Coordinators shall include, but are not limited to, setting up courts, ensuring matches run to time, first aid provision, collecting scoresheets.

DOD 6.5 Confirmation of league fixture round/knockout competition details BUCS/British Dodgeball shall be responsible for contacting all institutions/Playing Entities involved in a league fixture round/knockout competition in writing (email) to confirm the details of the day at least 14 days prior to the scheduled date. This shall include confirmation of which teams are required to officiate which fixtures and a contact telephone number for the Competition Coordinator.

DOD 7 Match Officials  This regulation supersedes REG 10.

DOD 7.1 British Dodgeball (BD) will provide a Head Referee for each match.

DOD 7.2 Each team participating in a league fixture round/knockout competition is required to provide a minimum of five assistant officials to cover matches in which they are not playing. Which matches a team are required to officiate shall be communicated in a confirmation email as per DOD 6.5. Any instances of teams failing to do so will be referred to the British Dodgeball Rules and Disciplinary Committee and may result in sanctions.

DOD 7.3 British Dodgeball referees or other officials may be asked to rate the performance of a team’s assistant officials following each match. Where this rating is not satisfactory, BUCS and/or the British Dodgeball Rules and Disciplinary Committee may decide that sanctions apply.

DOD 7.4 Where five assistant officials are required, this will usually involve:

DOD 7.4.1 1 x Assistant Centre Referee. They will support the Head Referee and take up position on the opposite side of the court to the head referee. Teams should put forward their most experienced players/referees as Assistant Centre Referees, though formal qualifications are not required. Assistant Centre Referees are in charge of the side of the court to their left and will call "play ball" and lead on calling "hits", "catches", and other "outs" for this side of the court. They are able to make calls directly, not just through the head referee.

DOD 7.4.2 2 x Ball Return Line Officials. Assistant officials acting as Ball Return Line Officials should be positioned on the left side of each team's half of the court, next to the ball return line. Their main role is to check for ball return line faults – for instance, false start offences (a false start only becomes a false start offence if the individual moves in any way/enters court before the whistle AND advances past the ball return line), and balls not being made live when returning to court via a retriever or spectator/following the opening rush (in these cases the ball must be received by a player with both feet in contact with the ground and fully behind the ball return line). They should make the Head Referee aware of any dead balls that have been released, and where possible warn a team that a ball is not yet live. They may also call players "out" for hits, catches and other offences, and are able to make calls directly, not just through the Head Referee.

DOD 7.4.3 2 x Back Line Officials. Assistant officials acting as Back Line Officials should be positioned on the right side of each team's half of the court, by the back line. Their main role is to check for back line faults – a player is "out" if they touch on or over the back line with any part of their body or clothing. They should call players "out" for any such offences and may also call players "out" for hits, catches, and other offences. They are able to make calls directly, not just through the Head Referee. They are also looking for "false starts" – so where a player moves in any way or direction following the call to be "ready" but before the whistle, or where a player is positioned over the back line following the call to be "ready" but before the whistle. They should flag this to the Ball Return Line Official who will confirm whether the ball return line was crossed.

DOD 7.4.4 As per rule 8.3 of the British Dodgeball Adult Rule Book, where the teams playing require assistant officials to act as "basic retrievers", the Ball Return Line Officials will be used for this purpose.

DOD 7.5 Teams cannot challenge the decision of any officials. In the case of a difference of opinion between officials then the Head Referee’s decision will be final.

DOD 8 Discipline The British Dodgeball Sanctions and Disciplinary Guidelines shall apply. Any references within these to “British Dodgeball Events” or “British Dodgeball competitions” should be understood as including the BUCS Dodgeball Championships. As such, the disciplinary guidance and procedures outlined shall apply to all those involved in the BUCS Dodgeball Championships.

DOD 9 Scoresheets All fixtures shall be fully recorded on a British Dodgeball scoresheet. The Competition Coordinator for each round of league fixtures/each knockout competition will collect each match scoresheet, and these will be kept until the end of the season. However, institutions/Playing Entities shall be responsible for submission of results on BUCS Play as per REG 13.

DOD 10 Postponed and abandoned matches This regulation supersedes REG 14.

DOD 10.1 Should BUCS/BD have to postpone either a whole league fixture round/knockout competition, or an individual fixture, BUCS/BD shall determine the details of any rearrangements.

DOD 10.2 Should a match have to be abandoned:

DOD 10.2.1 If the match has passed the 15 minutes mark, the result at the point of abandonment shall stand and will be the final result.

DOD 10.2.2 If the match has not passed the 15 minutes mark, BUCS/BD shall determine the appropriate course of action.