Dodgeball primer:

Remember playing in school? Well, this is a bit different

Basic rules: Played on a volleyball court with six players per side and six balls. At the World Dodgeball Federation championships, the team that wins the most sets — every time just one player is left standing — over the 40-minute game is the ultimate winner. A player hit with a ball is out unless it’s a surprise hit to the head, which isn’t allowed, or they use a ball they’re holding to block it, which is allowed. If a player catches the ball the thrower is out and a player on the catcher’s team comes back into game.

Balls: Different countries and leagues use a range of balls, but at the world championships they are rubber- coated foam balls, seven-inches in diameter, making them smaller than a volleyball and easier to palm. They weigh between 120 and 160 grams.

Speed: The average speed of the throws by Canada’s national men’s team is between 115 and130 km/h, while the women’s team averages between 85 and 99 km/h, according to coach Victor Gravili.

Referees: This sport is largely selfofficiated via an honour system, but the referee will settle disputes regarding whether a player was hit or not, call line violations (when players step outside their half of the court) and keep the game advancing in the absence of a shot clock. TERMINOLOGY

Opening rush: Six balls are lined up on the centre line and each team rushes for the three on their side of the court to start the game.

Dead objects: This encompasses everything that is not an active part of the match, including the ceiling, scoreboard, players walking off courts, referees and spectators. If the ball hits a dead object, it’s dead too.

Sudden death: If the game clock runs out in either half while a set is still under way, it goes into sudden death mode where blocking, by using a ball to avoid being hit, is no longer allowed.