Dodge Blog

Dodgeball Player Skill Levels

A ratings system for dodgeball players can be useful in categorizing players by skill levels. Dodgeball leagues and tournaments, for example, can use a ratings system to divide players into competitive and recreational divisions. Likewise, players can use such a system to decide at what level to play.

Major League Dodgeball (MLD) has developed a ratings system (below) using letter grades from A-D (and F), with A being the highest rating and D being the lowest skill level rating (and with F being a failing grade). Each grade can also be divided into plus and minus (A+, A, A-, for example).

The ratings system isn’t necessarily about how long a person has been playing the game of dodgeball. Some players with advanced throwing and catching skills might start out as an A player (but never an A+ player as it can take years to learn the subtleties and nuances of the game). Some D players can eventually become C or B players through continued participation and training, a process that can take three months to a year or more. And some C players, for example, are C players their entire dodgeball careers.

Prior athletic experience is often an important factor on where a player ends up on the skill level chart. Any athletic experience is generally a plus. Players with a background in baseball, softball, volleyball, and even seemingly incompatible sports such as soccer, tend to have higher ratings than those without prior athletic experience.

A Grade

A Grade players are the highest-skilled dodgeball players. A+ players are usually those who have competed, or have been considered, for national teams. A+ players usually throw 65-75mph (male players). Characteristics of A Grade players include:

No apparent weaknesses.
Highly accurate on most throws.
Catches even the fastest and hardest throws.
Maintains good court positioning.
Soundly executes set plays.
Executes team strategies to perfection.
Makes appropriate game play decisions and executes successfully.
Doesn’t make strategic game play errors.
Very difficult to get out.
Quick defensive and evasive actions.
Ability to track multiple thrown balls and take appropriate actions (catching or dodging or both).
Trains and plays year round.
High level of knowledge of the game and rules.

B Grade

B Grade players are solid players but have some apparent weaknesses. Characteristics of B Grade players include:

Knowledgeable about the game of dodgeball.
Is accurate on many throws, but is inconsistent on accuracy.
Catches well, but has difficulty catching fast and hard throws.
Has good court positioning, but may sometimes end up in a compromised position on court.
Not easy to get out.
Moves well on the court.
Works well with teammates on executing plays.
Successfully executes team strategies with a few exceptions.

C Grade

Generally understands the game of dodgeball but may not know all of the rules.
Plays frequently, but perhaps not all year.
Throws well enough to be a problem to the other team, but not well enough to be a viable threat.
Can catch, but lacks consistency.
Knows some basic strategy, but does not necessarily execute sufficiently.
Knows where to position on the court, but will often end up in a compromised position.
Not hard to get out by more advanced players.

D Grade

May or may not understand the general rules of the game.
May not be a frequent player.
Lacks sufficient throwing skills to be effective.
Does not catch well.
Generally does not understand dodgeball strategy, or fails to execute strategy.
Does not work well with team mates on coordinated plays.
Does not position correctly on the court, often leading to a compromised position for an easy out.

F Grade

A grade of F is more about behavioral aspects than skill level issues. A grade of F is indicative of a person who should not be allowed to participate at a dodgeball event. Characteristics of F Grade players include:

Rude, racist, sexist and demeaning comments from the person (including on clothing).
Showing up to events obviously impaired from alcohol or illegal drugs (and bringing such items to events where prohibited).
Angry or violent comments or outbursts.
Physical assault of other players or participants including spitting, getting in the face of others, etc.
Damaging equipment and facilities.
Deliberately disrupting games by actions such as hogging balls and getting in the way of other players.
Mean-spirited play, including deliberate close-range head shots, that could be injurious or harmful to other participants.
Harassment or undermining of events and event staff or participants.