Quadball Glossary
Essential terms and definitions for understanding quadball.
General Terms
Beat - Successfully hitting an opponent with a live dodgeball, forcing them off stick
Drive - An offensive possession, from gaining the volleyball until losing it or scoring
Flag Catch - A seeker gaining sole possession of the flag, scoring 30 points (ends the game if it gives the catching team the lead)
Off Stick - State when a player cannot participate in play (must reset at hoops)
On Stick - State when a player can legally participate in play
Reset - (1) Going back to hoops after being off stick (2) Moving the volleyball backward across a restrictor line (one allowed per drive)
Seeker Floor - First 20 minutes of game time when seekers cannot play
Player Positions
Beater - Player who uses dodgeballs (black headband)
Chaser - Player who uses volleyball to score goals (white headband)
Flag Runner - Neutral official who carries the flag
Keeper - Special chaser with zone powers (green headband)
Seeker - Player who catches the flag (yellow headband)
Speaking Captain - Designated team representative who can discuss calls with referees
Equipment & Field
Dodgeball - Rubber ball used by beaters to knock players off stick
Flag - Tennis ball in sock attached to flag runner's shorts
Hoops - Goals of three heights (short, medium, tall)
Keeper Zone - Protected area extending from the endline to the keeper zone line (19m deep)
Stick - Required equipment held between legs during play
Volleyball - Ball used by chasers/keeper to score goals
Game States
Dead Ball - Ball not in active play (e.g., after a goal)
Live Ball - Ball actively in play
Possession - Having control of a ball
Turnover - Change of ball possession between teams
Penalties & Fouls
Advantage - Allowing play to continue after a foul benefits fouled team
Back-to-Hoops - Minor penalty requiring player to reset at hoops
Blue Card - 1-minute penalty box punishment
Delay of Game - Stalling or failing to advance play appropriately
Illegal Contact - Physical contact that violates the rules
Red Card - Ejection from the game
Yellow Card - 1-minute penalty box punishment
Special Rules & Concepts
Dodgeball Immunity - Protection from being beaten, held by a protected keeper in their own zone or by a beater claiming the third dodgeball
Gender Maximum - Rule limiting same-gender players (4 max, 3 during seeker floor and in overtime)
Immunity - Beater's temporary protection while pursuing third dodgeball
Natural Motion - Allowed completion of action when going off stick
Possession Immunity - Keeper's protection from tackles in zone
Third Dodgeball - The only free dodgeball when one team possesses the other two
Common Abbreviations
AR - Assistant Referee
FR - Flag Referee
HR - Head Referee
IQA - International Quadball Association
PB - Penalty Box
ED - Event Director, also known as Tournament Director
TD - Tournament Director
Timing Terms
Game Time - Official clock that stops during stoppages
Overtime - Extra play period when the flag catch does not give the catching team the lead
Penalty Time - Clock for penalty box duration
Real Time - Actual elapsed time including stoppages
Scoring Terms
Goal - 10 points scored by getting volleyball through hoop
Good Goal - Confirmed legal goal
No Goal - Disallowed scoring attempt
Target Score - Score that ends overtime (non-catching team's score + 30)
Need more detail on any term? Check the Official Rulebook or relevant Player Guides.