“In my Jr High back in the 70s I think we used soccer balls.”
Yep same here and they stung like hell. I was the 8th grade gym class champion (1973 or so) over much more athletic and bigger bad-ass kids. Not because I was a physical specimen, rather... I was quick and smart. I won mainly by catching their throws. Damn I was proud of myself...
Good gloves do win it. :) Soccer balls are pretty hard though... mostly dodge ball is played with that red rubber mush ball. As a kid I liked it cuz I could throw it hard using my rocket arm. ~grin~ I'd bounce it off them that it could almost hit the gym ceiling. The last time I spoke about dodge ball some moron took offense to the kid's game because I was good LoL.