Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

  1. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game.
  2. Respect your opponents and acknowledge them in a courteous manner following each game, regardless of the outcome.
  3. Respect the integrity and judgment of game referees.
  4. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Spirit is of utmost importance, and unsportsmanlike conduct, spirit breaches, and actions detrimental to dodgeball play will not be tolerated. This includes:

  1. Headshots and regular high throws (see “Headshot Strikes” in Dodgeball Rules)
    • Regular hits above the shoulders (headhunting)
    • Contested vs Uncontested head shots
    1. Contested headshots do occur, and are considered accidental (to a degree) or reasonable due to the play:
      • The player is kneeling or crouching low;
      • The ball bounces off of something (ball/wall/ground/player) and hits a player in the head;
      • A person is throwing at another player and the recipient walks in front of the throw;
      • The person lowers their head into the ball
    1. Uncontested headshots are unacceptable and unsafe:
      • They occur in full standing position or similar (a slight crouch);
      • Are uncalled for;
      • Directly contact the recipient without hitting anything else;
      • May also occur after a thrower has been consistently throwing high (despite being told otherwise by referees)

    At any time if a headshot is thrown, the thrower should immediately apologize and ensure that the apology is received by the headshot recipient.

  2. Foul language, racial slurs, verbal abuse and slander
  3. Unnecessary roughness and physical abuse
  4. Slamming down or kicking balls in anger when hit
  5. Arguing with referees, league executives, participants, or spectators
  6. Abuse of the honour system
  7. Excessive or unruly complaining and negativity to other players, referees or organizers
  8. Biased refereeing to favor or disfavor other teams
  9. Side reffing (calling out missed-calls or voicing opinions on a call) is discouraged

* In order to protect players, organizers reserve the right to give official warnings and suspensions on any of the above violations, and may ask the offender to leave the court or premise immediately if the violation is severe.