"Dodge ball" is a popular playground game that has a straightforward spelling but can be tricky to pronounce correctly. The word starts with the voiced dental fricative /d/, followed by the open-mid back rounded vowel /ɒ/ and the voiced velar plosive /ɡ/. The second syllable is pronounced with the open-mid back unrounded vowel /ɑ/ and ends with the voiceless alveolar plosive /t/. The stress falls on the first syllable, making it a two-syllable word with the primary stress on "dodge."
Dodgeball refers to a high-energy, team-based sport that involves throwing balls at opponents with the intent to hit and eliminate them from the game. The game is typically played with two teams, each consisting of multiple players, who aim to eliminate the opposing team's players while avoiding being hit themselves. The primary objective of dodgeball is to be the last team with remaining players on the court.
The game is played in a designated area, usually a gymnasium or an open field, with a center dividing line. Each team starts on their respective side of the court, behind their back boundary line. Players are allowed to throw, dodge, block, and catch balls during gameplay.
Dodgeball is characterized by its fast-paced nature, requiring quick reflexes and agility. Players must strategically dodge incoming balls from their opponents while simultaneously attempting to hit members of the opposing team. When a player is hit with a ball, they are eliminated and must exit the court immediately. However, if a player catches a thrown ball, the thrower is eliminated instead. The game continues until one team has no players remaining.
Dodgeball is both a recreational activity and a competitive sport, often played casually during physical education classes, as well as organized leagues and tournaments. It promotes teamwork, coordination, agility, and reflexes, making it an engaging and enjoyable game for participants of all skill levels.
The word "dodgeball" is composed of two parts: "dodge" and "ball".
The term "dodge" originates from the Old English word "dyccan", which means to "dodge" or "duck". It is related to the Middle Dutch word "dodsen", meaning "to shake".
"Ball", on the other hand, comes from the Old English word "beall", which broadly referred to a round object used in various games or sports.
The combination of "dodge" and "ball" perfectly describes the central objective of the game, which involves avoiding being hit by the ball while trying to hit opponents. The term "dodgeball" first appeared in its modern sense in the United States in the early 1900s.