Roller Dodge Lite (version 1.1 September 2009)

Note there are many fundamental differences between regular and lite Roller Dodge. Do not assume that scoring, penalties, etc. are done the same in both versions. Read the rules carefully and send us an email if you have questions.

A PDF version of the RD Lite Rules are now available for you to print. Note: We give you permission to download and print multiple copies of the Roller Dodge rules for yourself, or to share with friends, so long as you do not modify them in any way.

Equipment: Use at least six foam balls (as described elsewhere on this Website). The number of balls may be increased as desired depending on the number of skaters playing the game. Safety cones and/or tape should be used to mark the areas of the court that define the zones used during play. Skaters may wear either quads or inline skates.

The Court: The size may be adjusted as desired to allow for any number of players. An entire skating rink or gymnasium may be used but this is not required. The key is to divide the available space into required playing zones. . The game may also be played outdoors so long as there is little or no wind.

The diagram to the left shows the basic layout.

The more skaters per team, the wider you should make the base zone.

For younger skaters, make the base zone less deep. Rule of thumb: A Base Dodger standing at the center line should be strong enough to easily throw a ball and hit the line that separates the opponent's base zone from their outfield. See the yellow arrow in the diagram.

Rounds: The game is divided into a set number of rounds. Teams should agree on the number of rounds before play begins. Six rounds are recommended, each round lasting no more than two minutes. A round will end before the two minute max if either team has sent all of the opposing Base Dodgers out. Extra tie-breaker rounds may be played as needed.

Before the FIRST round the foam balls are divided equally between both teams. The balls are held by one or more the Base Dodgers (i.e. not the Wing Dodger nor the Fielder). For all other rounds the balls start wherever they were at the end of the last round. There is no need to divide them up equally. Note: this rule is intended speed up the pace of the game.

Before the first round each team will decide which skater will start as the first Wing Dodger and which skater will start as the first Fielder.

Positions:
Assuming each team has six players, the first round starts with three balls per side, divided between the Base Dodgers. There is also one Wing Dodger and One Fielder per side.

All skaters stay in thier respective zones the entire round unless a Base Dodger is hit 'out' and becomes a Fielder.

The Fielder must stay inside the outfield during the entire round. His job is to retrieve balls and hand them to a Base Dodger or a Wing Dodger. Reaching across the lines to hand someone the ball or drop the ball in the adjacent zone is allowed. Fielders may never throw a ball. There is no effect if a ball hits a fielder. Fielders cannot be sent out as they are already in the outfield.

The Base Dodgers must stay inside the base zone during the entire round unless they are hit and sent out. Their job is to throw and hit opponent Base Dodgers. They may not throw at the opponent Wing Dodger. If a Base Dodger is hit out he must drop any balls he is holding and move immediately to the outfield. He is Out of Play until he reaches the outfield and may not take any other action. Once he is in the outfield he becomes a Fielder for the remainder of the round. At the end of the round those who were sent out should return to the Base zone before position rotation begins.

The Wing Dodger must stay inside the wing zone during the entire round. The Wing Dodger has the same job as the Base Dodgers. He tries to throw a ball and hit opponent Base Dodgers sending them out. Unlike the Base Dodgers, a Wing Dodger in invulnerable and cannot be sent out during the round! Important note: This is a major difference between regular Roller Dodge and RD Lite.

Rotation: Between each round teams have 15 seconds to switch positions and gather balls in their zones. If there is not time to retrieve some of the balls they should be left on the floor until after the new round begins. Before rotating Base Dodgers (who were sent out) should return to the Base zone leaving only the original Fielder in the Outfield. Next the old Wing Dodger (from the previous round) selects a Base Dodger to replace him as the new Wing Dodger. The old Wing Dodger always becomes the Fielder for the new round. The old Fielder always becomes a Base Dodger for the new round. The Wing Dodger from the previous round selects one of his team mates (who was a Base Dodger) to become the next Wing Dodger. The old Wing Dodger always becomes the next Fielder. The old Fielder always becomes a Base Dodger. It is possible that some skaters who started as a Base Dodger may not get picked to be a Wing Dodger. The Wing Dodger is the most fun position to play but on the following round he must move on to play one round as the starting Fielder.

Scoring: At the end of each round count the Fielders. A team gets one point for the original opponent Fielder and one additional point for each Base Dodger that was sent out and became a Fielder. Because there is always an original Fielder each team is guaranteed at least one point per round. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Throwing: Balls are thrown at opponent Base Dodgers in an attempt to hit them anywhere except the hands and send them out. Fielders may not throw a ball. A throw is good only if it hits the target Base Dodger directly. It does not count if the ball first makes contact with the floor, ceiling, another ball, or any person or other object. While throwing, if a skater steps out of Bounds AFTER the ball leaves his hands then the throw is still GOOD.

Throwing Rules Clarification -

1. A ball may be thrown overhand (like a baseball).
2. A ball may be thrown underhand (like a softball pitch).
3. A ball may be thrown with one hand.
4. A ball may be thrown with two hands (like a basketball push pass).
5. Tossing the ball up and slapping it (like a volleyball spike is not allowed). This is not a penalty, however the ball is Dead the moment the second hand strikes the ball.
6. A throw is said to start the moment it leaves the throwing skater's hand(s). It then travels though the air for some period of time. The throw ends the moment the ball makes contact with the floor, ceiling, another ball, or any person or other object.
7. If the first thing a ball hits is not an opponent Base Dodger, then as soon as it makes contact with someone or something it is Dead and cannot send a Base Dodger Out until thrown again.
8. While throwing, if a skater steps out of Bounds BEFORE the ball leaves his hands then the ball is dead immediately.
9. A ball that is caught by a Base Dodger (in play) or by a Wing Dodger, may be thrown back immediately.

Catching: Unlike traditional Dodgeball, catching a ball does not send the thrower out. If a thrown ball’s first point of contact is some body part of a Base Dodger besides the hands, then catching that ball does not 'save' them. They are out the moment the ball may contact with the other body part. Skaters that are Out of Play may not catch balls i.e. a Base Dodger that has been hit and sent out must wait until he has moved to the Outfield and become a Fielder.

Carrying: Skaters may hold and carry one or more balls. However, a Base Dodger must drop all balls if they are sent out. Balls may be held with hands and arms. The balls may be held against the body if so desired. Holding the ball(s) between the skater's legs or under the chin is not allowed. A skater may not hold or carry a ball for more than 20 seconds. He must throw or drop the ball before 20 seconds.

Carrying Rules Clarification -

1. A skater may hide the ball(s) from view behind his back. Hiding them under clothing (example: under the skater's shirt) is not allowed.

Handoffs: Teammates may exchange balls when they are next to one another. One skater may place the ball in his teammate's hand(s). Alternatively, one skater may grab/take the ball from his teammate. Handoffs may cross boundaries between zones. Example: a Fielder may reach with their arms across the line and handoff the ball to a Base Dodger so long as neither skater touches the wrong side of the line with their skates. Likewise a Base Dodger may reach across and handoff to the Wing Dodger standing in the Wing zone. Passing the ball (through the air) to a teammate is not allowed.

Dropping the Ball(s): Skaters may drop balls for any reason, at any time, without being sent out. If a ball is thrown at an opponent, the ball is dead as soon as it hits the skaters' hand(s). The 'target' skater may either catch the ball or drop it and it does not matter. A Fielder who cannot reach a Dodger to Handoff a ball may simply drop the ball into the Base or Wing zone and then skate away to retrieve another ball in the outfield. When a Base Dodger is hit out he must drop any balls he is holding. Said skater is Out of Play and may not throw or carry balls until he reaches the outfield and becomes a Fielder.

Dropping the Ball(s) Rules Clarification -

1. When dropping a ball, the hand should be palm down and the skater should simply release the ball. Snapping the wrist, flicking the hand, or other actions used to direct the ball to a spot other than directly down to the floor should be considered an illegal throw/pass.

Picking Up the Ball(s) from the Floor: Skaters may pick up any ball from the floor in their own team's territory so long as they can reach it without stepping out of bounds. If the skater steps out of bounds in the process of picking up a ball he must drop that ball back on the floor. He may not attempt to pick up the ball again until a different skater touches it. A Fielder may reach across and pick up a ball from the base or wing zones. Likewise a Base Dodger or Wing Dodger may reach across the line and pick up a ball from their outfield.

Falling: Falling skaters have no effect during the game. This rule is also a major difference between regular Roller Dodge and RD Lite.

Penalties: There are many things not allowed in the game. However there are no penalties in RD Lite. Just be a good sport. Encourage your teammates to follow the rules and have fun.