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How to Play Roller Derby?
Roller derby is played on an oval track, and each bout (game) involves two teams, with five players on the track from each team at a time. The players wear quad roller skates and full protective gear, including helmets, mouthguards, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards.
The basic objective of roller derby is for a designated player on each team, called the "jammer," to score points by lapping members of the opposing team. The other players on each team are known as "blockers," and they work both defensively and offensively to help their jammer score while preventing the opposing jammer from doing the same.
The wickedly skilled Pippa #575 from Cmax Roller Derby League explains Roller Derby rules from track to target zones. If someone says 'derby' and you say 'Whip It?' then this video will give you a better idea of what the fastest growing women's sport is all about.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how a roller derby bout is played:
Starting Positions: The jam starts with all players lined up in their respective starting positions. The blockers form a pack, and the jammers start behind the pack.
Jam Start: A whistle signals the start of the jam. The jammers race to get through the pack of blockers as quickly as possible.
Scoring Points: Once a jammer successfully passes through the pack and laps the blockers, they become eligible to score points. They score one point for each opposing blocker they pass legally during subsequent laps.
Blocking and Defense: Blockers from both teams use body contact, positional blocking, and teamwork to prevent the opposing jammer from getting through the pack. They also work to clear a path for their own jammer to score points.
Pivot Position: In addition to the jammer and blockers, each team has a "pivot" player. The pivot wears a helmet cover with a stripe, and they have the ability to become the jammer during the jam if they receive a special helmet cover pass from their team's jammer.
Jam Length: A jam can last up to two minutes, or until the lead jammer (the first jammer to legally pass the pack) decides to call off the jam by placing their hands on their hips. Calling off the jam ends it prematurely before the two minutes are up.
Penalties: Players must adhere to the rules of roller derby, and penalties are given for illegal actions, such as blocking with elbows or tripping. Penalized players must spend time in the penalty box, leaving their team short-handed.
Substitutions: Players can rotate in and out of the jam throughout the bout, providing opportunities for different strategies and combinations on the track.
Half-Time and Periods: After each half, there is a brief half-time break. A full bout typically consists of two halves, each with multiple jams.
Final Scores: The team with the most points at the end of the bout wins.
Roller derby is an intense and strategic sport that requires teamwork, athleticism, and quick decision-making. It is physically demanding and showcases the skill and determination of the players on the track. Beyond its competitive nature, roller derby fosters a sense of community, empowerment, and inclusivity. Many leagues actively promote positive body image and provide a supportive environment for individuals of diverse backgrounds and abilities
How can I try out for Roller Derby?
Trying out for roller derby can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Research and Understand Roller Derby: Learn about the rules, terminology, and culture of roller derby. Watch matches, read about the sport, and familiarize yourself with the basic gameplay.
Choose a Local League: Find a roller derby league in your area. You can use online resources, social media, or community boards to locate leagues near you. Check their websites for information on tryouts, practice schedules, and contact details. Check your local roller derby social media page and join the groups.
Contact the League: Reach out to the league to inquire about tryouts and introductory sessions. Many leagues offer beginner programs for people new to roller derby. Contacting them will give you a sense of their expectations and requirements.
Attend Beginner Sessions: Many roller derby leagues offer beginner programs where they teach you the basics of skating, strategy, and rules. These sessions are designed to help newcomers build the skills they need to participate in the sport.
Go To A Bout or Few: Check your local roller rinks, or social media pages for schedules, and attend a few games. i.e. "Bouts". Seeing the game in person is a great way to see what the game is about. It's is a rough game, so it is best to get a first hand idea of what is to come! Plus, it's fun!
Gear and Equipment: Roller derby requires specific gear such as skates, protective pads (knee, elbow, wrist), helmet, and mouthguard. Make sure to invest in high-quality gear that fits properly and provides adequate protection.
Learn to Skate: If you're new to skating, practice skating regularly to build your skills and confidence. Roller derby involves skating skills like stopping, turning, and maneuvering quickly, so mastering these basics is essential.
Physical Fitness: Roller derby can be physically demanding, so focus on your overall fitness. Cardiovascular endurance, strength training, and flexibility are important for performing well on the track.
Attend Tryouts: Attend the tryout session as scheduled by the league. Be prepared to demonstrate your skating skills, your ability to work in a team, and your determination to learn and improve.
Show Enthusiasm and Dedication: Roller derby is a team sport that values teamwork, communication, and a positive attitude. During tryouts and practices, show your enthusiasm for the sport and your commitment to learning and improving.
Receive Feedback: After the tryouts, you might receive feedback from the coaches or experienced players. Use this feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. It's a valuable chance to understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
Join the League: If you're selected, congratulations! You're on your way to becoming a roller derby athlete. Join the league, attend practices, workshops, and events, and continue honing your skills.
Remember, roller derby is an inclusive and empowering sport, and many leagues welcome people of all backgrounds and skill levels. Don't be discouraged if you're new to skating or team sports – the roller derby community is known for its support and camaraderie. Good luck, and have fun on your roller derby journey!
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Derby Names:
One of the distinguishing characteristics of modern roller derby revival, unlike previous versions of the sport, is the use of imaginative, self-selected names for skaters. This tradition originated from one of the skaters of the original Lonestar Rollergirls, who chose a strong pseudonym as a gesture of empowerment due to being an abuse survivor. Other team members followed suit in solidarity. While sometimes facing criticism, the tradition of derby names has endured and shows no signs of fading away. However, more skaters are opting to use their legal names for interleague play. Though there is no official copyright for derby names, it is highly recommended to search an online database to ensure the name chosen is unique and not already in use.
Selecting your derby name marks an enjoyable early phase in your derby journey, where you get to choose a name that embodies your identity as a skater and athlete.
Traditionally, many skaters use twoevils.com, a roller derby name database, to check if their desired name is already in use. However, it's important to note that this database is not frequently updated, possibly less than once a year. Instead, doing a quick Google search to see if someone in your country has a similar name might be more helpful. Another emerging site for registering names is Derby Role Call, but exercise caution and carefully consider your chosen name before submission.
It's worth mentioning that neither twoevils nor Derby Role Call is affiliated with the WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association), and there is no official requirement from the WFTDA to have different names from others. This was clarified during a UK ref clinic when some friends and I discovered that uniqueness is merely a preference. However, within your league, it is necessary to have a distinct number from other skaters to ensure proper rostering.
Consider using a variation or playful twist on your own name as a starting point. Trying out a few different names and seeking feedback from your league can help you finalize your decision.
Another option is to select a persona or theme that reflects certain aspects of your personality or qualities you aspire to embody, such as emotions like moody or scary, or attributes like sexiness, strength, quickness, poise, or agility.
Common themes in derby names often include elements related to violence or utilize derby-specific terms such as 'juke,' 'jam,' 'block,' and more.
Puns and wordplay are quite popular in derby names, often incorporating famous films, people's names, or character references for a clever and entertaining twist.
Current Codes of Roller Derby:
WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association): The WFTDA form of the game is widely played by national roller derby governing bodies, including its counterpart for men, the Men's Roller Derby Association, and adapted versions for the Junior Roller Derby Association. WFTDA rules feature the longest jam times (two minutes), and the lead jammer is a position earned once during a jam, maintaining that status unless sent to the penalty box. The WFTDA rules were the first specifically designed for flat track roller derby and govern approximately 95% of all roller derby played worldwide. It is widely recognized as the highest-level sporting authority for roller derby globally.
USARS (USA Roller Sports): This rules set is managed by USA Roller Sports, the primary Olympic-level governing body of roller skating in the United States. Unlike the WFTDA rules, USARS designates the lead jammer as the jammer in the lead at any given moment and requires the lead jammer to be upright and inbounds to call off the jam. The USARS game prohibits counterclockwise skating and has a shorter jam timer of 90 seconds. Apart from these variations, the two games are generally similar.
MADE (Modern Athletic Derby Endeavor): Centered on the US East Coast, MADE's rules emphasize co-ed play and share the 90-second jam time while disallowing legal clockwise play. The USARS and MADE rules are very similar, essentially considered variations of the same rules code. MADE's rules allegedly encourage closer scores compared to the WFTDA rules, which have been notorious for blowout games, although this has diminished with the implementation of a promotion-and-relegation system.
RDCL (Roller Derby Coalition of Leagues): The primary governing body of banked-track roller derby, RDCL consists of five leagues along the West Coast. RDCL rules focus on a fast-paced form of play, capitalizing on the higher speeds enabled by a banked track. An RDCL jam lasts for one minute, usually allowing for a maximum of three scoring passes.
Renegade: Not an official rules set, but rather representative of leagues that play by their own set of rules. Renegade leagues are often small but passionate, sometimes comprising only two home teams or even no home teams at all.
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