| 
 |
|
What is Roller Derby and How is it Played?
This is the real deal. None of the action you’ll see is scripted or pre-planned; this is a real sport, and we play for keeps.
The
best way to learn about roller derby is to watch roller derby. Come to
a bout or two, and you’ll get it. There are fans galore that are
willing to explain the rules, talk strategy, and otherwise bask in the
glow that is our sport.
The game a nutshell:
Each
game of derby, called a “bout,” is played between two teams, each with
five players in a lineup at one time on the track. Each lineup is made
up of one pivot, three blockers, and a jammer. The pivot is recognized
by her striped helmet cover, the jammer wears a helmet cover emblazoned
with a star on each side, and the blockers have no helmet covers at all
(but their helmets often have a plethora of stickers). Each game is 60
minutes, made of two 30-minute periods that are further broken down
into two-minute jams
The pack
The
pack is made of pivots and blockers. At the start of the jam, the pack
lines up along the straightaway of the track - pivots and blockers in
the front, with jammers positioned 20 feet behind. A referee or
timekeeper will signal the start of the jam with a single whistle and
the pack will start skating, a few seconds later, a double whistle will
blow and the jammers will start sprinting through the pack. This is the
jam.
The jam
Each
jam can be up to, a two-minute race to see which jammer can score the most points.
The jammer earns a point for every member of the opposing team she
passes. That may sound easy, but the opposing team is doing all they
can to get their own jammer through the pack while stopping the other
team’s jammer cold. Derby is a full-contact sport and skaters will use
all legal means at their disposal to get the job done, including
hitting the opposing team with their shoulders and hips, pushing and
pulling on members of their own team, and doing a cool slingshot-like
maneuver called a whip to speed their jammer through the pack.
Scoring
Each
jammer must make one complete pass through the pack before she can
begin accumulating points. The first jammer to move through the pack
legally becomes the lead jammer and as such has the power to call off
the jam early - a strategic advantage that allows her to score points
and then call off the jam before her opponent has the chance to score.
If neither jammer passes through the pack legally, neither becomes lead
jammer and the jam continues on for the entire two-minute period.
Blockers
Through
it all, the blockers are doing their thing – blocking. Blockers can hit
members of the opposing team with their shoulders, hips, and torso.
It’s illegal to use the forearms, hands, and head, and the use of
elbows is strictly regulated. Skaters who block illegally, start
fights, or otherwise break the rules face penalties which can include
everything from time in the penalty box to a complete expulsion from
the bout.
Oh so much more
There
are a whole slew of rules that govern gameplay and regulate which moves
are allowable; SCDV plays by the official Women’s Flat Track Derby
Association rules, which you can download and read at WFTDA.COM
Keep watching and reading – the better you understand roller derby, the more you’ll love it.
Do Rollergirls Get Paid?
Skaters
don't get paid. In fact, Sin Cal Derby Vixens actually pay monthly dues
to rent our practice spaces, furnish uniforms, and keep us in fishnets.
All equipment, medical, and travel costs are also furnished by the
skaters, completely out-of-pocket. That’s how dang dedicated we are!
Our support staff are also all unpaid volunteers. Our profits currently cycle back into our productions and travel costs.
 |
