The History of the Dodgeball Sport
Over 200 years ago, a deadly game played in Africa took birth, where large rocks or solidified matter was thrown to injure or incapacitate the opponents and defeat the tribe. Once the player was hit, further rocks would be thrown to finish it off, whilst the victim’s team members would attempt to protect their player, and additionally hit the opponent.
Considered a team building activity, the game aimed to encourage the tribesmen to work together against other tribes, take them down and protect their own team members.
This aggressiveness and agility of the tribal men, and their solidarity, captured the attention of Dr James H. Carlisle, a missionary. He spent hours watching the game every day and became strongly infatuated by it.
On his way back to England, he introduced the game to some of his pupils, but they realized that they did not have the agility or aim to dodge. It was only when Dr Carlisle returned to St. Mary’s College in Norfolk, where he transformed the vicious training into an all-inclusive game.
The rock and solidified matter was replaced by a not-so-hard leather ball. The game was played in an open field, with no restrictions on the size of the area played. A player would only be eliminated when they got knocked to the floor because of the balls thrown. The game was played very strategically. Opponents would use the balls in their hands to deflect the balls thrown at them. For the next century, this game was played with no major changes.
It was in 1884, when Philip Ferguson witnessed the game in action and took Dodgeball to America, where the rules were put in place, and Dodgeball became to be the sport that we know today.
Whether you are new to the idea of Dodgeball, or already have some tricks up your sleeve, it’s hard to dodge away the chance to experience and play the sport with such an intense history.
Register your interest for a free trial game in Melbourne with Major League Dodgeball here!
