Click here to download and print all of this information as a handy-dandy PDF. There's a ton of info here, we know! If you've read through it all and still have questions, email freshmeat@bostonderbydames.com. Registration deadline is Sunday, October 26, 2008, at midnight!
EXTENDED to Wednesday, October 29, at noon! Click here for some updates to the post-tryout training schedule and information about league dues.FAQ
Who can join Boston Derby Dames?
All skaters must be 21 or over, and female. Skaters must have their own health insurance! Men and women 18 and over can join as referees, announcers, coaches, or other volunteers. Anyone of any age can help support Boston Derby Dames through promoting, fundraising, sponsoring, and attending events and bouts. If you are interested in becoming a ref, email volunteers@bostonderbydames.com.
How much time will BDD take?
It's important to understand that in addition to being the most rewarding, empowering, fun, frustrating, amazing, and exciting thing you've ever been a part of, roller derby is a serious commitment that goes beyond just a busy practice schedule. The amount of commitment we expect from each skater isn't feasible for everyone, and we understand that, so we want to make sure you have some idea what you're getting yourself into.
Boston Derby Dames is an entirely skater-owned and -operated business. It's a sports league and a social club and a support network and a hell of a lot of fun, but our ability to continue playing the sport we've all become obsessed with depends on our being able to pull together to grow and sustain the business.
Every poster you've ever seen for a bout was put there by a skater. It was designed by a skater, proofread by a skater, ordered from the printer by a skater, and paid for in part by dues paid by skaters. We schedule and coach our own practices (between three and five a week). We host team dinners. We create our own uniforms. We design and order and stock and inventory our own merch. We establish and build relationships with sponsors. We work with clubs and bands to put together fundraising events. And that's just for starters. We've had as many as 1,600 people in the stands at our bouts, and every last one of us shares in both the responsibility and success. It's no small feat, and it can't work without everyone on the league contributing their time, talents, and resources.
Practice, meetings, events, matches, promoting, and planning for our league will take a considerable time commitment. In addition to your 2-5 practices per week, you should expect to spend about 5 hours on other league business per week.
How much does it cost?
The biggest expense will be your equipment and health insurance (if you don't already have it). You'll need money for protective gear, skates, and other incidentals. We hold events and collect dues to help pay for rink expenses, advertising, and administration costs. Currently, skater dues are $30/skater/month [update: raised to $40 a month as of November 2008] plus an annual fee for secondary insurance (between $30-50). Skaters will begin paying dues only AFTER they make the final cut in January and become full members of the league although you will need secondary insurance to participate in freshmeat practice after the league tryout in November (see the detailed schedule on page 2).
Speed skates cost anywhere from $70 to more than $300 and quality skates typically cost at least $100. A full set of pads and helmet will cost $100-$150. You’ll probably need to replace your wheels and bearings every 3-9 months, an additional expense of $50-$100 for a full set.
What equipment do I need?
We recommend full protective gear for League Tryouts (knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, a skate helmet, mouth guard) but only quad skates are required. Skaters who pass league tryouts MUST have full equipment to begin training on November 9. Please ask other skaters for equipment recommendations before investing in anything! Also, we know skates and equipment are expensive and we have lots of old stinky (and some not-so-stinky) gear we can lend you during Freshmeat training!
When are practices?
Freshmeat training for skaters who pass league tryouts will consist of a minimum of 2 practices a week starting November 9. Practices will most likely be Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons but our schedule is subject to change. [update: click here for current schedule info. Practices will be Wednesday and Sunday evenings, with some Saturday afternoons as needed.]
Veteran skaters have attendance requirements too. We take attendance at all practices. Scrimmaging and bout privileges can be revoked for poor attendance. Please take into consideration the time commitment required for practices and league business when you decide if you have enough time to join BDD (see above, How much time will BDD take?).
How do I try out?
Register online here by midnight on Sunday, October 26 noon on Wednesday, October 29. A registration fee of $5 is payable online at the time of registration through this Paypal link, or at League Tryouts in November (cash, or checks made out to Boston Derby Dames, LLC). In order to tryout, you must have registered, paid your registration fee, brought a copy of your health insurance card, and signed a waiver (available at tryouts). IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COPY OF YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE CARD AT THE TIME OF TRYOUTS, YOU WILL NOT BE ELLIGIBLE TO TRY OUT - NO EXCEPTIONS.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LEARN THE SKILLS FOR THE LEAGUE TRYOUT. Dames will be on hand at all skate clinics to answer any questions but you must approach them if you need help! We will not be providing any formal training sessions at clinics. We're there to help and we want our future teammates to be as prepared as possible, so we promise not to bite!
Tryout Dates: (Note – for detailed information about skills, see below)
July 2008– October 2008
Skate Clinics – Strongly encouraged for those interested in trying out.
The rink’s usual admission fees apply. Click here for addresses and contact information for these rinks. - Sat. July 12, 1 pm Roller World, Saugus, MA
- Sun. July 20, 8 pm Chez Vous, Dorchester, MA
- Sat. August 2, 1 pm Roller World, Saugus, MA
- Thurs. August 21, 8 pm Skateland, Bradford, MA
- Sat. September 13, 1 pm Roller World, Saugus, MA
- Thurs. September 25, 8 pm Skateland, Bradford, MA
- Thurs. October 9, 8 pm Skateland, Bradford, MA
- Sat. October 25, 1 pm Roller World, Saugus, MA
[Prospective referees, skate clinics are for you too! We're happy to welcome new referees at any time in the season, but since most referee positions require good quad skating skills, our skate clinics are a perfect time for you to practice and progress along with the newest Freshmeat class. Look for Dreadnought, our skater-referee liaison, and let her know you're thinking about joining the crew. She'll be able to give you the scoop on what the job entails and put you in touch with some of our veteran referees to get you started.]
Sunday, November 2, 2008
- League Tryouts
- 6-9 pm
- Location will be sent upon registration
Skaters will be assessed on the following skills:
Basic Skating
Skating Posture: bends at knees and hips with shoulders back, swings arms fluidly
Stride: has steady, confident, fluid strides, uses both feet to push forward on straight-aways
Crossovers: going into and coming out of turns, uses both feet
Glide on one foot on straightaway
8 on the floor
Footwork
Skating backwards, skating from frontward to backward and vice versa
Stops: T-stop, turning toe stop
Strength and Fitness
Squatting while gliding and skating on straight-aways and turns
Completes 10 minute skate without breaking form
Coachability
Coaches will assess skaters’ ability to learn new skills as well as their attitude and ability to receive constructive criticism. We expect skaters to be positive and professional. This means being respectful of Dames and our volunteers and staff, supportive of each other, and hard working!
Interview
Dames will interview skaters to get to know them and to learn what kinds of skills they can bring to the league. We run an all-volunteer organization and all members MUST serve on a committee and help with league business. Committees include: coaching, events, communications/PR, merchandise, financial, human resources, community outreach, ref liason, skater mediation).
Sunday, December 7, 2008 [update: now Sunday, December 14]
First Cut - Skaters will be assessed on the following skills which you will learn at Freshmeat practices:
Advanced Skating Skills
Hopping: with both feet and from one foot to the other
Agility: weaving through cones, lateral skating across track, jammer starts
Basic Derby Skills
Falling: single knee touchdown, single knee 180 degree fall, double knee fall, baseball slide
Assists: whips, pushes, hip whips
Skating with others: skating in a pace line, weaving through skaters in a line
Contact
Leaning
Bumping
Booty Blocking
Check Blocking
Coachability
Training will be intensive! We expect skaters to take coaches feedback in a positive way by pushing themselves to improve. Skaters must also remain supportive of each other through this competitive process.
Sunday, January 11, 2009 [update: now Sunday, January 18]
Second Cut - Skaters will be assessed on the following skills which you will learn at Freshmeat practice:
Pack Skating
Skating in tight pack, modulating speed, avoiding obstacles, general awareness in pack, communication in pack, blocking in a pack.
Game Play Skills
Teamwork and communication: partner play, verbal and non-verbal communication
Offense: jammer awareness, assists, marking and clearing space
Defense: jammer awareness, defensive partnerships, replacement blocking
Coachability
Training will be intensive! We expect skaters to take coaches feedback in a positive way by pushing themselves to improve. Skaters must also remain supportive of each other through this competitive process.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Final Cut and Home Team Placement
When can I bout?
Skaters who pass both rounds of cuts will be placed with a team and will bout with that team during Season 3, beginning in February 2009.
What if I get hurt?
It's not if you get hurt, it's when you get hurt! Pulled muscles, sprains, strains, bruises, and broken bones will happen in roller derby. This is why protective gear is required. We also train, stretch, and practice falling to help reduce injuries and their severity. You will get hurt, so common sense dictates that we require skaters to have health insurance. Be sure to give BDD your health insurance and emergency contact information at your first practice so we can take care of you!
If you sustain an injury during Freshmeat training, the severity of the injury will determine whether you can return to training once you have recovered, or whether you will need to try out again next year. Skaters who sustain mild injuries that require short recovery periods may be allowed to return to training and may be granted some flexibility in the assessment schedule, at the coaches’ discretion. Skaters who sustain more severe injuries that require longer recovery periods will be asked to try out again next year.
What skills do I need to play roller derby?
Before you can play derby, you will need to master some basic roller skating skills. We’re not talking about tricks and fancy footwork, we’re talking about the basic skills that will allow you to feel comfortable on your skates and for your safety and the safety of those around you. Although we’ll certainly be training you hard and fast during Freshmeat practices, we also recommend that you seek out alternative training at local skate rinks and on bike paths if you own your own skates. Take a class on speed skating or dance skating. You’ll be surprised how much these classes will help with agility, footwork, form, and endurance. The more you train outside of clinics and Freshmeat practices and on different surfaces, the more quickly you will become the best! Here are some basic skills you will need to master before jumping into this fabulous contact sport of flat-track roller derby:
Skating Form:
Your skating form will likely contribute largely to what may be hindering your progression as a skater. If you don’t have the proper skating form, you will not progress as quickly. The number one thing to remember is to never skate standing straight up! Here are the key elements to proper skating form:
1. Knees Bent
2. Head Up
3. Eyes at Eye Level (not looking too far up, and never looking down)
4. Weight Centered Over Skates
From a stand-still position, stand straight up and then drop down to a sitting position (like you’re sitting against a wall with your back flat against the wall). Your natural skater stance is somewhere directly in between. Try to locate where your body naturally feels comfortable in this zone. Bounce up and down a little to feel where you are most comfortable. As you bounce up and down, notice that your knees are bent. Your knees should be placed in the same plane as your toes, they should never be locked and should always be bent. By keeping your knees in the same plane as your toes, you will ensure they are always bent.
Keep your head up and focus on something that is at eye level. Most balance issues come from a beginner skater’s tendency to watch their feet. Avoid watching your feet, or looking below eye level, as this is one of the first causes of balance issues due to the way it forces your weight to shift onto your toes instead of properly being centered over your skates (and just behind the balls of your feet). Hips should be directly over your heels.
Once you are comfortable in your skating stance, start moving! Your knees remain bent and your eyes fixed at eye level. As you start to stroke, use your heels to power your strides. Your strides should be smooth, with full leg extensions, and your legs should be moving side to side (not front to back like walking). Once you feel comfortable, think about how your feet are moving. You should always have a sense of what your feet and legs are doing without needing to ever look down.
When you feel you have found your skater form, you can then practice looking behind you while you skate. Being able to look in all directions without affecting your skating direction, balance, and form will help your awareness once you start playing the game.
Crossovers:
Before attempting crossovers, you’ll want to practice simply skating around corners. To get around a corner, simply lean into the corner you are taking. Your weight should pivot to your inner leg (the leg closest to the corner), while your inside shoulder should turn into the corner (ie – your inside shoulder should be pulled back). By leaning, you will find that you sail around corners with ease and that the more you lean, the sharper the curve you will make.
Once you feel comfortable going around corners, you will want to start to gain speed and try crossovers. Crossovers help skaters get around corners faster and more efficiently, sometimes even providing additional speed (like a sling shot effect). To start, follow the steps provided above. Once you enter the corner, however, instead of keeping both skates on the ground, simply lift your outside leg over and in front of your inside leg. Remember to transfer your weight from your outside leg to your inside leg before picking the outside leg off the ground. As your outside leg hits the ground, push your inside leg under your outside leg with as much power as you can. Remember that it is equally important to push with both legs during crossovers, you do not want to simply be stepping over each leg.
When going into corners, you always want to make sure you are in the proper form. Keep your knees bent and stay low. Try not to pop up and down between strokes. Eventually, the goal is to achieve the deepest crossovers possible, by staying low and turned into the corner, while pushing with equally powerful force on each leg.
Reverse crossovers:
Used when going in a clockwise (reverse) direction on the rink, but also used for maneuverability and weaving. Same as above, but use opposite legs.
4 second balance:
After each push-off, hold your leg straight out behind you for 4 seconds (kind of like a scale in ballet). Keep your chest up, your shoulders back, and your back flat, not rounded. Remember to keep your other leg bent. This is a great way to strengthen your knees and ankles, and also an excellent way to strengthen your butt muscles. Practice balancing on the straight-aways of the rink, and also around the corners. Don't forget to practice balancing on both your left and right legs! Once this gets easy, try squatting while balancing on one leg.
8 on the floor/Scissors:
This exercise is great for developing ankle strength and also toning the inner and outer thighs! It is also a great way to learn how to develop momentum without picking your feet up off the ground. With your knees bent, push both feet away from each other until your feet are a little more than shoulder width apart, and then pull them back in so your feet are together and repeat. Knees should remain bent and both feet should stay on the ground at all times. Keep all eight wheels on the floor.
Squats:
Squat with good form while you skate around the rink. Your nose, knees, and toes should all be in a straight line. Your butt should be sticking out behind you as if you're sitting in a chair. Keep your chest up, your shoulders back, and your back flat, not round. You can try holding your hands together behind the small of your back or clasping them straight out in front of you. Squat as low as you can while maintaining good form, ideally having your knees make a right angle (don’t go down TOO far so you’re in a ball-that’s cheating!)
Frontwards-backwards:
Skate forwards, turn, and skate backwards. There are a number of ways to execute a turn, ask one of the Dames for help. Also try “backwards-forwards,” this is much easier!
Skating backwards:
Just what it sounds like! Start out using scissors to propel yourself on the floor. Be sure to look around you so you don’t knock into anyone! Try crossovers while skating backwards around the corners. Your inside leg will sweep behind your outside leg. Think of it as a “pull under” rather than a cross over.
Stops:
The first thing to remember is that you should never go beyond your comfortable level of speed until you have mastered each level. This means, you shouldn’t go faster than your feet can stop you. If you’re not in control of your speed to the point where you can stop quickly and smoothly without flailing, you are going too fast. You should always be in control no matter what speed you are going. Once you can stop quickly, smoothly, and without flailing, try going faster. Push your limits as you become comfortable so that you are constantly teetering between comfortable and uncomfortable. This is how you know you are progressing! A blocker should be able to stop quickly and safely at a moderate pace, while a jammer should be able to stop at any speed (up to high speeds).
Here are a few ways to stop: - Falling (Very Basic Skill. Slow Speeds.) – If you can’t stop without falling, you can not safely scrimmage or bout. Falling should be a last-ditch effort to stopping (ie – you’re headed for a barrier or wall and can’t stop fast enough) and never used as your primary stop during game play.
- Dragging toe stop (Very Basic Skill. Slow Speeds.) - Lightly drag one toe stop behind you to slow down to a full stop. Try this on both sides. It's the easiest & most basic kind of stop, master it now so that you can learn more advanced stops.
- T-Stops (Intermediate Skill. Slow to Moderate Speeds.) - A T-stop is a more advanced stop and should only be attempted when you feel very comfortable skating (it’s a good way to bust your ankle so be careful!). Lift one foot (the stopping foot) and bringing it behind the skating foot at a right angle. Your feet should make an L shape (kind of like third position in ballet). The stopping foot is then placed on the ground, placing all four wheels on the ground. Place your stopping foot very lightly at first to get your body used to this position (its really awkward at first!). Pushing your shoulders back (which automatically shifts your weight slightly back) will help make it easier to apply more pressure to the back/stopping foot. Once you’re comfortable, try applying more pressure to slow down faster.
- Plow Stops (Intermediate Skills. Moderate to High Speeds) – Spread your feet wide and point your toes inward with your weight on your heels and the insides of your feet. Your stance should be like the snow plow in skiing. Squeeze your legs together to slow youself down.
- Turning Toe Stops (Intermediate to Advanced Skill. High Speeds.) – Turn so that you are skating backwards then lean forward on your toe stops.
- Hockey Stops (Advanced Skill. High Speeds.) – Both feet turn sharply in one direction so that they are lateral to the body.
Starts:
Starts are used by jammers and blockers alike as the jam whistles blow. Starts are also used during recovery from a fall during a jam (see “Falling” section). Starts help a skater pick up speed quickly from a stand-still position.
Here are a few ways to start:
- Running Toe Start (Jammers and Blockers) – Starting from a stand-still position, run on your toe stops as long and far as you can.
- Flat-Footed Running Start (Jammers and Blockers) – Start from a stand-still position and, with your feet positioned in a ‘V’ (or like a duck), start running until you are up to the desired speed or until you are at a speed where you are able to skate with your regular form and stride
- Track Starts (Jammers only) – This is similar to how some track athletes start in the “blocks”. Crouch down on your knees with one leg tucked into your chest and the other leg on the floor (so that you are on your knee). As the first whistle blows to indicate the start of the pack, lift your ass in the air and pull your body slightly back (so that a majority of your weight is now on your back leg). As the second whistle blows, indicating the jammers’ start, explode outwards (do not stand straight up). You should “come out of the blocks”/off the line in a gradual incline (ie – do not pop straight up to an upright stance).
For fall recovery starts, skaters typically use the running toe start or flat-footed running start to rejoin the pack. Track starts are typically reserved for jammer starts. Remember, for safety’s sake, bring your arms and hands in front of you to help yourself off the ground in order to avoid your fingers or hands from being roller over by other skaters.
Falling:
This probably sounds counter-intuitive to a lot of people. I mean, why would you want to practice how to fall? Isn’t the goal to stay on your feet? Well, yes, that’s the goal, but c’mon, this is roller derby! In all likelihood, you will probably fall at least once per bout, but more like at least 5 times or more. For most of us, we fall all of the time, so learning how to fall properly is the best way to prevent injury. The more smoothly and quickly you fall, the more quickly you can get back up to start scoring points or knocking bitches down (legally of course). The goal is to learn how to adjust your body before it hits the ground so that you can minimize impact to your body and to those around you. By practicing how to fall, you train your muscles to react the way you want them to. It’s all about muscle memory!
Here are a few things to keep in mind about skating which will increase the likelihood of a clean fall:
Keep your knees bent when you are skating (always). When you stand straight up, it increases the likelihood of falling backwards. Think about the protective gear we wear. Yeah, there are no pads back there! When we fall backwards it really, really hurts and lends itself to tailbone injuries (get ready to bring a pillow to sit on wherever you go). Keeping your knees bent also brings your center of gravity closer to the ground in front of you, forcing your body to fall forwards instead of backwards.
When you fall, allow your knees to lead and your body to follow. This will, in turn, create a sliding motion and lessen the general impact to any one body part, limiting your likelihood of injury.
“Fall small”. Not only is this part of the rules and regulations of derby (so that you are not called on a penalty for inadvertently tripping another skater), but it is a requirement of safe play for your own safety and for the safety of those around you. Tuck your arms into your chest and bring your legs under your body. Try to take up the least amount of space in the air and on the floor as possible. This will avoid any fingers or toes from being rolled over, prevent pig piles, and avoid tripping hazards.
Recover Quickly. With respect to game-play, this may be the single most important aspect of falling. Being able to recover quickly allows you to rejoin the game quickly and to get off the floor so that you don’t hinder game play. Once you are up, you can do a few toe stop runs to get back into the position more quickly.
Here are a few ways to fall: - Single Knee Falls: These are similar to lunges. While skating at a moderate pace, lower one knee to the ground slowly. Practice tapping your knee gently on the ground and recovering to your skating position quickly and without using your hands. Practice on both your right and left.
- Double Kneed Falls: Skating low, with knees bent, throw your shoulders back and drop to the floor on your knees. Once you hit the ground, keep your shoulders back to allow yourself to slide.
- Baseball Slides: This is much like what you see baseball players do as they come into home plate. Take your back leg and bend it under your front then slide on the upper thigh of the bent leg. Again, once you hit the ground, keep your shoulders back to allow yourself to slide.You can place your elbow on the floor as long as your arm is tucked in underneath you.
Footwork:
Footwork may be one of the single most important parts of roller derby. The better your footwork, the easier it will be to speed up, slow down, change your trajectory, avoid hits, give hits, and provide assists. The ability to maneuver well on the track is the key to playing this sport effectively.
As a jammer, your footwork will need to be better than most, as you will need to maneuver through holes, find and create holes, & avoid hits, all while at high speeds. As a blocker, your footwork also needs to be good in order to set up the proper defensive blocks and offensive path-clearing blocks.
Being able to crossover in both directions, quickly move laterally on the track, and change directions in an instant are all good indications that you have the footwork required to play this game well.
Track Awareness:
Skaters must be aware of their surroundings at all times. As blockers, you must know where the opposing jammer is, as well as your own. You will also need to know where all of your blockers are and where all of the opposing blockers are. When you know where the opposing jammer is, you can try and predict where she will go in order to set up an effective block. When you know where your jammer is, you can also try to predict where she is going in order to clear a path for her. When you know where your blockers are, you know where you are needed to form effective partnerships. When you know where the opposing blockers are, you know who might be coming to hit you or where you need to be to block someone else.
One key aspect that was talked about previously is your ability to look behind yourself while keeping your pace consistent. You should be able to look over each shoulder without being knocked off balance, having to change your pace, or losing control. As you look over your shoulder try and pay close attention to your surroundings and your “next move”. What is the smart play based on what you just saw as you looked behind you. Good track awareness also means good communication with your teammates. When you see the opposing jammer coming up behind you, let your teammates know with verbal as well as non-verbal signals (touching, eye contact, etc).
Assists:
Assists are ways to help your teammates without having to use any form of blocking. There are three types of assists: whips, pushes, and hip whips.
Whip – This is when the assisting skater reaches behind herself with her hand. The receiving skater grabs the assisting skaters hand (with one hand) and forearm (with her other hand). The assisting skater pulls the receiving skater forward and transfers her momentum to the receiving skater as she lets go. The receiving skater, at the same time, pulls against the assisting skater in order to propel herself forward.
Push – This is when the assisting skater pushes her own blocker or jammer from behind. When giving a push, center your hands on your teammates lower back / upper booty (n the tailbone area) and push. Try to keep all pushes within the receiving skaters center of gravity. Now remember, you can push, touch, or grab your own teammates however you want, but DO NOT push, grab, or touch any opposing skater.
Hip Whip – Jammers often take hip whips off of their blockers to quickly maneuver through the pack. The skater taking the whip skates up behind her team mate, places her hands on her teammates hips--right at her center of gravity, and quickly pulls herself forward and around her teammate.
Assists are used on both your jammers and your blockers. When used on your jammer, an assist can help get her through the pack. When used on your blockers, an assist can help better one of your blockers positions within the pack or can add to the level of a block one of your blockers can give (ie – as one of your own blockers comes in for a block on an opposing player, you can give an added push to help in adding to the level of that block).
Blocking:
Of course you are excited to start blocking! It’s one of the most fun parts of roller derby…however, it is also one of the most dangerous aspects of the sport. It is NOT safe to practice blocking on your own, or with other inexperienced skaters. And don’t worry—you will not be required to do any blocking at League Tryouts. Those skaters who pass league tryouts will work towards blocking under the supervision of coaches and experienced skaters at Freshmeat Practices. **This How to Play Roller Derby series of videos on YouTube is a good place to start if you want an illustration of many of these techniques.**
Post-skating Stretches:
If you’ve skated hard and you still want to be able to climb your stairs or get off the toilet tomorrow, make sure you stretch!
Hamstring Quad Groin Upper Thigh/Butt
(download the PDF version of this information for illustrations of basic stretches)
Understanding the Game
In addition to working on your skating skills, you can prepare for tryouts and Freshmeat practices by learning the game. Listed here are the basics, but you should check out www.wftda.com for official rules. Also, watch some roller derby to get an idea of how the game is played! BDD’s allstar team, the Boston Massacre has bouts scheduled for July 19 and August 9 and the league holds free public scrimmages at 6 pm every Sunday night in July and August (weather permitting) at Joe Moakley Park in Boston. Providence Roller Derby will be bouting throughout the summer – check out their webpage for details www.providencerollerderby.com.
You can read the full rules as ratified by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association here, but this is the game in brief:
A roller derby bout is played between two teams with 5 skaters from each team on the track at a time. There are three positions: jammers, blockers, and pivots. The jammers are the scoring players who sprint around the track, lapping the other skaters. Jammers wear helmet covers with stars on them. Three skaters are blockers. The blockers from both teams skate together in a pack and play both offense and defense. The pivot is the fourth blocker who skates at the front of the pack, they wear helmet covers with stripes on them.
A bout is typically broken down into three 20-minute periods or two 30-minute periods. Each period consists of an unlimited number of jams, which are two minutes or less in length. A game can go into overtime if the score is tied at the end of three periods. At the start of each jam, the blockers line up in formation (illustration in the PDF version).
The pack (blockers and pivots) begin skating at the first whistle, the jammers begin skating at the second whistle. The first jammer to pass all skaters in the pack legally (without committing penalties) becomes the “lead jammer” and can end the jam at any time she wished by placing her hands on her hips. During the second and all subsequent passes through the pack, the jammers on both teams score 1 point for every blocker that they pass. Lead jammer is a strategic position and may allow the jammer to complete a scoring pass and “call off the jam” before the other jammer can score.
Blockers play both offense and defense depending on where the jammers are. On offense, they may assist their jammer through the pack by hitting opposing blockers and clearing space for her or by offering their arm in a whip. On defense, blockers may check block the opposing jammer and knock her down or booty block her (get in front of her and slow her down). Roller derby is a full contact sport with rules that govern the safety of play. Skaters may hit other players with their shoulders, backs, hips, and butt. They may not hit skaters above the neck or below the mid-thigh. They may not grab with their hands or trip with their feet. They may not hit other skaters in the back or use their elbows to block. Blockers must remain “within the pack” and cannot skate out more than 20 feet from the pack and engage with another skater.
Skaters receive penalties for unfair or unsafe play. Moves that have a negligible impact on the game are called as “minors” and skaters who accumulate 4 minors must serve 1 minute in the penalty box as her team skates short handed. When she returns to the game, her penalties have been “reset” to zero. Moves that have significant impact on play (such as knocking a skater down or out of position illegally) are called as majors and the skater is immediately sent to the box for 1 minute. Referees may eject skaters from a period or even a game if they deem her playing to be overly aggressive or unsafe.
This video from Dayton, Ohio's Gem City Roller Girls is a good primer, too!
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