Many out there on the circuit will already know what rollerderby is, given that the modern day incarnation is so heavily linked back to rock n roll. Hell, even Motorhead sponsor a derby team now. But for the uninitiated, here’s a brief introduction as to why YOU NEED ROLLERDERBY in your life.
History
Starting out as a mixed endurance skate race in the States during the Great Depression, by the early 40’s it had developed into something near the full-contact skate sport we play today, and was hugely popular across America. Fast-forwarding through the inevitable corporate takeover and decline to the current day, and derby is enjoying a revival as a DIY no-holds-barred underground sport for girls that just wont take shit from anyone. Punkers, ravers, mothers and bakers are joining up worldwide.
The ethos is an open one – any woman who can skate and hold her own is welcome. There are even men’s leagues starting up too. Many rollergirls can’t even skate when they first sign up – most leagues will teach you that too.
Today’s Game
The essence of the game play is pretty simple. Two teams of five skaters, of which one is a jammer, and the other four blockers, the bulk of the players forming the pack. The game consists of a series of two minute jams in which the team’s race around an oval track, and the jammers try to pass the pack, scoring one point for each opposition player passed. Opposition blockers use any means available to stop jammers passing, as long as it’s within the rules. Usually, the game is split into two periods of 30 minutes.
The game is controlled by the lead jammer, who is the first jammer to clear the pack with no penalties, and she holds the power to call off the jam at any time by putting her hands on her hips. There are both minor and major penalties, and a major or four minor penalties will put a player into the penalty box, usually for one minute.
In such a fast paced game, it can be pretty hard to keep track of what’s going on, and for this you’ll have to put your trust in the small army of skating referees that marshal every game. Not that everyone goes by the ref’s word first time of course!
If you prefer a visual how-to, here is a handy video!
That’s the basics of rollerderby today. To learn more, you’re just gonna have to get yourself down to a bout and watch them crack some heads and break some legs!
Rollerderby in the UK is mainly (but not exclusively) based on the WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) rules, and a number of UK and EU leagues are affiliating to this, the US governing body of the sport. http://wftda.com/
