What is Roller Derby? Because seriously, i'm so confused right now...
Roller derby is a fast paced, full contact strategy sport played on quad skates in 2 minute sessions called Jams. Two teams each send five players onto the track — one jammer (scorer) and four blockers (defense), one of which counts as a pivot (a blocker who leads her teams play for each Jam). Helmet covers are used to display the players' positions: a cover with two stars is used for jammers, a striped cover is used for pivots and no cover is used for blockers.
Two start lines are marked on the track: a jammer line, and 30 feet ahead of that, a pivot line. The two pivots may stand on or behind the pivot line; all blockers must line up behind the pivot line.The eight pivots and blockers together are called the pack. The two jammers start 20 feet behind the pack on the jammer line.
The referee signals the beginning of the Jam by blowing a whistle. As per the new 2013 Roller Derby Rule Set, both the pack of Blockers as well as the Jammers are released on this single whistle, and the jam is on!
In each Jam, the jammers attempt to score points. After passing the pack the first time, jammers earn one point each time they lap an opposing skater (i.e., they score points only on their second pass of the opposing skater); only jammers are able to score points. Blockers attempt to assist their jammer through and out of the pack while simultaneously stopping the opposing jammer from exiting the pack. Blockers who fall or leave the pack are considered "out of play" and are not allowed to block until they rejoin the pack.
The first jammer to legally pass all opposing blockers wins the status of lead jammer for the remainder of the jam. The lead jammer can decide to end the jam at any time by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly, which signals the referee to officially call off the jam. If the lead jammer does not call off the jam (or if there is no lead jammer), the jam runs for two minutes.
To impede the progress of the opposing team's jammer, players may block, either by putting themselves in front of the jammer or other blockers, or by hitting or "checking" the other skaters, often causing them to fall or go out of bounds.
Penalties are given to skaters who skate or block illegally: Elbows, forearms, heads, hands, knees, and feet is prohibited; similarly, all contact to a target player must occur above the mid-thigh and below or to the shoulders, and only to the front or sides of a player (not to her back). Referees call penalties for violations of these rules based on how much impact they have on the game.
The team with the most points at the end of the game (usually 2 x 30 minute halves) wins!
Still a little fuzzy? Check out the video below for a crash course in The Basics of Flat Track Roller Derby!
Two start lines are marked on the track: a jammer line, and 30 feet ahead of that, a pivot line. The two pivots may stand on or behind the pivot line; all blockers must line up behind the pivot line.The eight pivots and blockers together are called the pack. The two jammers start 20 feet behind the pack on the jammer line.
The referee signals the beginning of the Jam by blowing a whistle. As per the new 2013 Roller Derby Rule Set, both the pack of Blockers as well as the Jammers are released on this single whistle, and the jam is on!
In each Jam, the jammers attempt to score points. After passing the pack the first time, jammers earn one point each time they lap an opposing skater (i.e., they score points only on their second pass of the opposing skater); only jammers are able to score points. Blockers attempt to assist their jammer through and out of the pack while simultaneously stopping the opposing jammer from exiting the pack. Blockers who fall or leave the pack are considered "out of play" and are not allowed to block until they rejoin the pack.
The first jammer to legally pass all opposing blockers wins the status of lead jammer for the remainder of the jam. The lead jammer can decide to end the jam at any time by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly, which signals the referee to officially call off the jam. If the lead jammer does not call off the jam (or if there is no lead jammer), the jam runs for two minutes.
To impede the progress of the opposing team's jammer, players may block, either by putting themselves in front of the jammer or other blockers, or by hitting or "checking" the other skaters, often causing them to fall or go out of bounds.
Penalties are given to skaters who skate or block illegally: Elbows, forearms, heads, hands, knees, and feet is prohibited; similarly, all contact to a target player must occur above the mid-thigh and below or to the shoulders, and only to the front or sides of a player (not to her back). Referees call penalties for violations of these rules based on how much impact they have on the game.
The team with the most points at the end of the game (usually 2 x 30 minute halves) wins!
Still a little fuzzy? Check out the video below for a crash course in The Basics of Flat Track Roller Derby!
