Is this coming season your first time playing dodgeball? There are a lot of items experienced players might consider to be “common knowledge” that we would like to address for you in this article.
Team Size: The WDBF rulebook allows for a maximum of 12 players, but this is too big to have an enjoyable time when playing 6v6. Playing one round then sitting the next is just not as enjoyable as playing most of the game. We recommend having a team of 8 (ideal) to 9 (less ideal), paying players and use the other 3-4 slots on your roster to put on dedicated spares – people who aren’t as committed but won’t need approval to be called up last minute to spare for you, since they are on your roster. We recommend having a minimum of 3 female players on your committed roster, and would recommend using as many of your extra spots for females as well as there is a minimum of 2 females required to play.
Team jerseys: We do not recommend getting custom jerseys to start. A better tactic is to find a graphic tee/tank you all like the design of, and order that. Do not get names/numbers on the back yet, as that takes time and money and often won’t arrive until partway into your season. It’s much more fun to play on a team with matching jerseys, and you’re better off getting something that can also be passed along to new team members in future, or at the very least will not be too difficult to order one or two when you need to inevitably replace people in future seasons. Sites like amazon, redbubble, teefury, etc.
Collecting team fees: Collect before the season starts. You will get much better commitment from people if they have already paid their fee. If you have a group chat, change the person’s name to have ” – paid” after their name to keep track of who paid.
Rotating players out: Since the game is played 6v6 with a 2-female minimum, you want to make sure you always have 2 female players. We recommend giving players a number, or using a system such as alphabetical order. Sitting players by gender (women on a separate rotation from men) is unfair and not good practice if you want to build a team long-term, not to mention it is just plain sexist. As long as you have 3+ females show up, we recommend the following:
7 players show up – sit people in alphabetical order
8 players show up – pair them up, and they sit in pairs. Play 3 rounds then sit 1
9 players show up – Make lines of 3 players each – they play 2 rounds then sit 1
10 or 11 players show up – give everyone a number, run through the list in order. Bring a piece of paper to keep track.
12 players show up – 2 full lineups of 6 players, play one round then sit one round
Register early: Space is limited, early bird pricing has an expiry date, and you will avoid potential disappointment by registering as soon as you possibly can. Do not leave things to the last minute!
Equipment: Get some good shoes made for sport activities, and kneepads. Trust us, you will want kneepads. Bring a water bottle, and get a gym bag to keep your stuff in. Don’t forget to wash it all regularly too, even the pads!
Ask questions: If you don’t know the answer, and can’t find it on the website, feel free to ask! Email us, call us, or post in the facebook group “Winnipeg Dodgeball Community”. Dodgeball may be a large community at 650+ regular participants, but we are also a kind, progressive group of people who are happy to welcome new people into the fold and show you the ropes. Whether you’re interested in recreational or competitive play, we are happy to walk you through whatever it is you need. It’s much better to ask a question than to try to figure it out blindly.
See you in October!