The Benefits of Dodgeball
Over 613,000 UK school children take part in dodgeball each week, making dodgeball the 2nd most popular team sport in the UK (Sport England Active Lives Survey 2019).
Dodgeball is a popular sport that involves two teams attempting to eliminate players on the other team by hitting them with a ball, whilst trying to avoid being hit themselves. While some people may view dodgeball as a controversial activity, there are several potential benefits that can be gained from playing the game in schools under supervised conditions.
Here are some of the benefits of dodgeball:
- Improves hand-eye coordination: Dodgeball requires players to be quick and agile, which can help improve their general balance and coordination.
- Enhances reflexes: Since dodgeball involves throwing and dodging balls, players need to have fast reflexes to be successful in the game. Practicing dodgeball can help improve these reflexes.
- Boosts physical fitness: Dodgeball is a physically demanding game that requires players to run, jump, and dodge balls. Regular play can help improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and increase endurance.
- Develops teamwork skills: Dodgeball is a team sport that requires players to work together to achieve a common goal. Playing dodgeball can help improve communication, cooperation, and leadership skills.
- Reduces stress: Dodgeball is fun! Engaging in physical activity like dodgeball can help reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
- Promotes socialisation: Playing dodgeball can provide an opportunity to meet new people and develop friendships outside of more traditional team sports.
- Builds confidence: As players improve their skills and become more proficient at dodgeball, they can gain confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Overall, dodgeball can be a fun and beneficial activity that promotes physical fitness, socialisation, teamwork, and personal development.
Dodgeball is typically played in a gym or an open space, on any surface that has clearly marked boundaries and a centre line. The objective is to eliminate the members of the opposing team by striking them with thrown balls; catching a ball thrown by a member of the opposing team or making an opponent commit a recognised violation – such as stepping outside the designated boundary of the court.
- The basic rules of dodgeball are as follows:
- The game is played with two teams of equal size.
- The objective of the game is to eliminate all players on the opposing team by hitting them with a ball.
- Each team starts on its own side of the court.
- The game begins with a centreline rush where players from both teams rush to the centreline to retrieve balls.
- Players can only throw the balls from their own side of the court and must not cross the centreline.
- Players are out when they are hit by a thrown ball and the ball then touches the ground or wall, or if they are hit directly in the head.
- If a player catches a ball thrown by the opposing team before it touches the ground, the thrower is out, and the catcher's team can bring a previously eliminated player back into the game.
- The game continues until one team eliminates all players on the opposing team or until a predetermined time limit has been reached.
- Players must not hold onto the ball for more than 10 seconds and must throw it within that time limit.
- Players must not interfere with opponents trying to retrieve a ball on the other side of the court.
