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Beater Guide

The Basics: Your Role and Gear

As a Beater (black headband), you are the ultimate disruptor. Your mission is to control the game's pace and create opportunities by using the three dodgeballs to knock opponents off their sticks.

Your Equipment:

  • Headband: Black. Must be worn on your forehead.
  • Stick & Mouthguard: Mandatory, just like for any other player.
  • Dodgeballs: Your weapon. Only beaters can possess and throw dodgeballs.

Core Responsibilities:

  • Control Dodgeballs: Maintain "dodgeball supremacy" by ensuring your team has at least two of the three dodgeballs.
  • Knock Players Off Stick ("Beats"): Throw dodgeballs at opponents to force them to dismount and return to their hoops.
  • Create Openings: Target the opposing chaser with the volleyball to stop their attack or target the opposing beaters to win dodgeball control.
  • Protect Your Chasers: Use your dodgeballs (and the threat of them) to defend your team's volleyball carrier.

The Art of the Beat: Dodgeball Handling

A "beat" only counts if the dodgeball is LIVE.

What Makes a Dodgeball LIVE? (Rule 5.2.2) - It must be thrown, kicked, or propelled by an opposing beater. - It has not touched the ground, gone out of bounds, or been caught yet. - A dropped dodgeball (e.g., after a beater is beat) is DEAD. - A dodgeball thrown as part of "natural motion" (finishing a throw after being beat) is DEAD.

Dodgeball Rules to Live By:

  • One Ball at a Time: You can only hold one dodgeball. The only exception is if you're catching an incoming dodgeball while already holding one. You must immediately drop one.
  • No Headshots: Intentionally throwing at an opponent's head or neck is illegal unless they duck into the path of the ball.
    • Penalty: Yellow Card for an illegal headbeat, Red Card if thrown with excessive force. (Rule 5.2.6)
  • Struck Beater: If you are hit by a live dodgeball, you are a "struck beater." You can try to catch the dodgeball that hit you. If you succeed, you are safe! If you fail (it hits the ground), you are beat and must go back to your hoops. While "struck," you cannot throw your own dodgeball and must drop any you are holding. (Rule 5.4.3)

Tactics and Positioning

Your position on the field and understanding of the rules are as important as your aim.

Back-to-Hoops Procedure: When you are beat or dismount your stick, you are off stick. You must: 1. Drop Your Ball: Immediately drop any dodgeball you are holding. 2. Touch Your Hoops: Run back and physically touch one of your team's hoops (not the base). 3. Remount: Get back on your stick. 4. Return to Play: You are now back in the game. Failing to follow this procedure or interacting with the game while off stick will result in a penalty.

Pro-Tip on 'Natural Motion': (Rule 5.6) If you are hit by a dodgeball while your arm is already moving forward to throw, your throw will complete, but the thrown ball is DEAD and cannot beat anyone. However, if you are hit first and then you decide to throw, that is an illegal action and a penalty.

Third Dodgeball & Immunity: This is a critical strategic rule. - Situation: When one team holds two dodgeballs and the third is on the ground (dead), that loose ball is the "third dodgeball." - The Problem: The team with two dodgeballs cannot touch or interfere with the third dodgeball. This is Third Dodgeball Interference. (Rule 5.5.1) - The Solution (for the team with ZERO balls):

    1.  One of your beaters can raise a closed fist high above their shoulder.
    2.  This beater is now **IMMUNE** to being beat. (Rule `5.5.2`)
    3.  You must go **directly** to retrieve the third dodgeball. You can't engage in other plays. (Rule `5.5.3`)
    4.  Once you pick up the ball, you lose your immunity.

Common Fouls & Violations for Beaters

Foul/Violation Common Situation Penalty
Illegal Headbeat Throwing a dodgeball that hits an opponent's head or neck first. Yellow Card (or Red Card for excessive force)
Third Dodgeball Interference Your team has 2 dodgeballs and you touch, kick, or stand over the 3rd dead dodgeball on the ground. Back-to-Hoops for you + Turnover of your team's two held dodgeballs.
Immunity Violation Claiming immunity and then doing something other than immediately retrieving the third dodgeball. Blue Card
Interacting with the Volleyball Touching, kicking, or blocking the volleyball. You can only hit it with a thrown dodgeball. Dodgeball Turnover (You lose the ball you're holding).
Playing while Off Stick Throwing a dodgeball after you've already been beat. Blue Card or Yellow Card