Official Rules of Gaga (Israeli Dodgeball) at Main Line Unitarian Church

1. One person who is not a player is designated as the referee. The referee is the sole authority during play.
2. The referee begins play only after all players are standing in the gaga court and have indicated that they are ready to start the game.
3. One player tosses the ball up in the air. Players yell "ga" on the first bounce and "ga" again on the second bounce, and the ball is then in play.
4. Players hit the ball with their hands only, and may not carry or throw the ball: it must be punched with open hand or fist.
5. If the ball contacts a player or a player's clothing below the waist, that player is eliminated.
6. If the ball goes out of the gaga court, the last player to touch the ball is eliminated.
7. If a player catches the ball before it bounces, the player who had the last contact with the ball is eliminated.
8. Once the player hits the ball, he or she must wait until the ball touches someone else before hitting it again (no double touches).
9. If there are only two players remaining, a player may hit the ball up to 3 times in a row. The ball is "rejuvenated" by contact with the wall, and the hit count resets.
10. Teaming, or intentional passing of the ball to other players, is allowed only at the discretion of the referee and must be specified in advance of play.

The purpose of the Gaga court at MLUC is to encourage friendship, fun, fair play, and finesse, consistent with the UU goals of "development of a positive sense of self" and "respect and responsibility toward all people." -- Reverend Virginia Jarocha-Ernst.

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