Roller Derby is a full-contact sport played on quad roller skates around a flat, oval track and involves 2 teams of 5 women on the track at any one time. It was invented in the 1930s in the United States and enjoyed substantial worldwide popularity, both live and televised, in the 1960s and 1970s. The modern roller derby revival started in Texas in 2001 and has spread across the globe.
The game evolved from formation speed skating and it involves 2 teams of five women skating around a tight oval track. Each team consists of 4 Blockers (forming the pack) including 1 Pivot (starts on the line at the front)& 1 Jammer(starts way behind the pack).
The Jammers from each team try to weave through the pack while the pack tries to stop their rival Jammer from passing. The Jammer scores points for her team by passing opposing Blockers, the Pivot leads her team’s pack and the shoulders to stop rival players especially the Jammer from getting past..
Each role has differing requirements, so all shapes and sizes can join in the fun, as long as you can keep up with the pack. Derby skaters are serious athletes who train 2 or more times a week all year round and wear full protective gear including knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet and mouthguard. We also revel in the punk ethos, grass-roots, DIY nature of derby. We love derby so much that we run this league ourselves, and we love putting on a show for our fans too!
Roller derby can be confusing the first time you watch it. Try keeping your eyes fixed on the Jammer at first. She scores the points and she is usually the target of the opposing blockers. Then try watching the pack and especially the Pivot to figure out some of the strategy they use a walling up with team members to provide a barrier to the Jammer getting past, speeding up the pack when the opponents Jammer is trying to get through, slowing down the pack for their own Jammer to get through and a trapping another blocker essentially behind enemy lines to control the pack and gain an advantage. And if all else fails, just enjoy the big hits!
The JAMMER wears a star on her helmet and scores the points for her team by passing the Blockers from the opposing team. One point is scored for each opponent she passes starting from the second pass through the pack.
The LEAD JAMMER status is usually the first Jammer to legally get through the pack on the first pass. Lead Jammers can call the jam off at any time by repeatedly touching your hips, this prevents the opposing Jammer from scoring more points.
The PIVOT is the Blocker with the stripe down the middle of her helmet and she sets the pace and communicates strategy to her team. The Pivot may also become the Jammer during the jam if the Jammer chooses to Pass The Star (remove her helmet cover and pass it to the Pivot).
The BLOCKERS are ‘the pack’ they work together in both offensive and defensive roles at the same time they must help their own Jammer move through the pack as well as preventing the opposing Jammer from getting through and scoring points!