After full time roller derby declined in the 1970’s part time teams kept the sport alive through the 80’s and 90’s. Recently there has been an explosion in the popularity of roller derby mainly based on all-women leagues. The first was formed in 2001 in Austin Texas followed by the formation of more than thirty leagues since from all over America. Many are owned and operated by the skaters who work as a team making use of the talents of all the team members.
Tragic City Rollers vs. Panama City Roller Derby Final Score: TCR - A LOT, Panama City - Very Little (It was a complete bloodbath from the start) by Diamondduste
The roller derby leagues mostly play in roller skating rinks on flat surfaces although some still keep to the traditional banked rinks. This is mostly a matter of availability as there are flat skating rinks in many cities that only need the addition of lights and cones to mark the track. Leagues wear distinctive uniforms and often adopt a team persona and a name.
Most roller derby leagues hold regular practice sessions and are willing to train new members even if they have never skated before. Only when the new member is sufficiently skilled are they allowed to compete with the team. Members are also encouraged to skate as much as possible. Stretching and warm ups usually start the training sessions which then often focus on maneuvers and endurance. Training also teaches the skater how to dodge, squat and jump over obstacles.
Many teams have developed skating and endurance exercises from hockey drills or other types of sports training. Other skills that are developed include starting and stopping, skating at high speed, falling safely and avoiding objects and other skaters.
Bouts are fast and hectic with a lot happening. Roller derby is based on races between two teams, each with five skaters. Individual races are called jams and is short, up to two minutes. A jammer is appointed by each team and scores the points for the team. Blockers on each team do their best to block the jammer while helping to push their own teams jammer forwards. The pivot acts as a blocker, watches the jammer leads the team. Each role is distinguished by markings on the skater’s helmets, a star for a jammer, stripes for the pivot and blank helmets for the blockers.
All the skaters start the race except the jammer who waits at the start line until the team is twenty feet away. At the referee’s signal she follow the team, trying to catch up and overtake the pack. At the end of the time period scores are calculated, one point for every skater from the opposing team that the jammer passed. The lead jammer can also stop the race (’call the jam’) before the end of the two minute period.
Rules do vary between leagues although United League Coalition is working to standardise the rules. Examples of some common rules include the following
Jammers :
Other rules
Any skater who breaks the rules is sent to the penalty box for between thirty and sixty second (a long time considering a bout only lasts for two minutes!)
Some major infringements can lead to more severe punishments including expulsion from the race or other, often comical penalties. A major infringement include fighting, falling in front of opponents on purpose and not obeying the officials or being insubordinate.
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