Dodgeball now interschool sport

If your school days came over the past 20 years, you probably played your share of dodgeball in physical education.

For those of an older generation, the sport may be something of an obscurity. Nowadays, it has morphed into something even more than either experienced.

Indeed dodging, dipping, diving and ducking are no longer confined to rainy day PE sessions - school pride is now on the line.

It has proven to be one of the most popular options at this week's junior secondary schools tournament week.

This year, the sport was held over two days to accommodate that uptake.

Bayfield High School's Merric Hill (14) plays dodgeball at the metro indoor sports centre on Monday as part of the junior secondary schools tournament week. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Bayfield High School's Merric Hill (14) plays dodgeball at the metro indoor sports centre on Monday as part of the junior secondary schools tournament week. Photo: Peter McIntosh

Competitions were held for boys, girls and two for mixed.

Some schools are now including it on their interschool programmes.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, it is - in essence - as the name suggests.

You have two teams divided by a halfway line which you cannot cross.

The school competition consists of teams of six and has six balls in play.

Each team tries to eliminate those on the other team by either throwing balls and hitting them, or catching those thrown at them.

A caught ball also allows you to bring one of your own players back into the game.

Of course, there are plenty of variations depending on where you play.

One is to play on a basketball court and make hitting the opposite backboard a method of bringing a player back.

Making a half-court shot can bring the whole team back. Both come with the risk of being caught if your ball falls short.

Tactics can be employed too - such as lobbing a ball up and then throwing a second should the target attempt to catch it.

Having a strong arm is an asset, as is being nimble and having quick reactions.

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