-A dodgeball player dodging a ball.
The game is typically played among children 6-12 in elementary school physical education programs have stressed that as a game it develops balance, eye-hand coordination, and reflex skills among young children. However, internationally, the sport is growing, and has emerged as a popular middle school, high school and college sport as well. It is also popular in informal settings and is often played on a playground, in a gym, or in organized recreational leagues. There are many variations of the game, but generally the main objective of each team is to eliminate all members of the opposing team by hitting them with thrown balls, catching a ball thrown by a member of the opposing team, or forcing them to move outside the court boundaries when a ball is thrown at them.