| Dodgeball Simulation League |
| Playing the Match |
| DSL matches are among the most competitive battles in sports. There are no time limits; only how long it takes for one team to completely eliminate another team determines the length of a game. Matches are usually measured in terms of the number of plays (kills, dodges, catches, and opening rushes) and can be decided in as little as 12 plays. The longest match in DSL history was 66 plays, played between the Hornets and Lightning in the first round of the season 5 playoffs. This match featured a combined total of 160 points! (The average is 40 to 50.) Although the events of that match were unprecedented, it opened with an opening rush, like any other DSL match. The battle of two players decides initial possession. But after the opening rush, then what happens? The following explains. Once a player gains possession of the ball, he has to choose which opponent he will throw at. Teams will usually set up a preferred order or frequency for throwing at opponents. Often the main target is the other team's best player, though some throwing strategies seek to isolate a star who is not good defensively, for example. Once this player decides on his target, the targeted player has a quick decision to make. Will he try to catch or dodge the incoming missile? The catching option is most advantageous to the targeted player's team since it will eliminate the thrower and bring back a player who was out (if any are out), but not all players catch well. Once the choice is made (or not made in some sad cases), the play will develop according to the thrower's ability and the defending player's ability. Usually the better player overall or in a certain area will win the play, but upsets are also frequent. That's how play occurs in a match. The winner of each game is the team who completely eliminates the other team. The winner of two games out of three (or the first two if they're having a good day) wins the match. |