Roller Derby 101: How the Game is Played

Our featured photos this month include a shot from the Chicago Bruise Brothers and two from the recent Windy City Rollers doubleheader (see more on the December Windy City games below!).

Today’s skaters are moms, students, teachers and hair stylists. Their kind demeanor during the day gives way to intense competition on the track.

Besides their work backgrounds, skaters come from a variety of athletic backgrounds, too. Some have participated in sports in school. Some have just enjoyed skating recreationally and others have never skated before. Many teams have “fresh meat” programs where new skaters are taught how to skate, learn the rules of roller derby and importantly are taught the skills needed to scrimmage. Each skater has to be tested to insure they are capable of safely competing. An example of a minimum skill is that a skater has to demonstrate is the ability to fall safely – important because you get knocked down quite a bit!

Leagues in our area can field more than one team. If a league has more than one team, they will be classified as an A team, B team, etc. Generally you see skaters move up the ladder as they gain experience. The Chicago Outfit has played the DuPage Derby Dames several times in the last few years. The Outfit Syndicate (their A team) played the DuPage Uproar (their A team) and so on.

Here are some of the basics about game play:

• A game consists of two 30 minute halves
• Teams roster 14 skaters for a game
• A game is a series of Jams – each up to two minutes long (roughly 35-45 jams per game)
• Each Jam features up to five players per team – four blockers and one jammer
• Penalties are called so teams may be playing with less than five skaters
• Penalties are 30 seconds each
• The blockers skate in “the pack”
• When the whistle blows to start a jam, the jammers are behind the blockers and must pass the opposing blockers (initial pass) in order to start their scoring pass.
• The first jammer to clear the pack cleanly is designated the lead jammer. This is important, as the lead jammer can stop the jam whenever they want (for example, if they score several points they can stop the jam before the opposition can score)
• In order to score points, a jammer must lap/pass a member of the opposing team. One point for each person they pass – getting all five points (four blockers and a jammer) is called a grand slam
• Knocking a player out of bounds forces them to re-enter the track behind every opposing skater that was in front of them. If they don’t enter behind them, it’s a track cut and 30 seconds in the penalty box
• Most points at the end – wins!

It’s more complicated than this of course. Teams have plays for offense and for defense and how to move between O and D as the jam ebbs and flows. Penalties can play a large role in a jam – you can imagine how much easier it is for a jammer to pass two blockers than pass four. When a jammer is in the penalty box, it’s called a power jam and the opposition takes as much advantage to score as possible. Also, realize that there are some subtle differences in WFTDA rules (female) and MRDA (male) and JRDA (junior). FIRS rules (the Chicago Red Hots) have some things in common with WFTDA, but there are many differences, too.

When you go to your first game, one thing you will notice is the number of officials needed to run a professional event like this. There are seven skating officials – referees in stripes – that enforce the rules of the game. There a similar number of non-skating officials (NSOs) that staff the penalty box, keep track of players and penalties, and keep score.

There are also behind-the-scenes people that support each game that are critical to the event’s success. This could be people taking tickets at the door, selling the team’s merchandise (there are some pretty sweet looking derby shirts for sale!), photographing the event and very importantly, medical support is present. If you would be interested in either being a skater, referee, NSO or assisting in any other volunteer capacity, why not contact a team about volunteering next year? Several teams have programs for new skaters starting in January. Keep our local teams in mind if you are interested in being a volunteer - the list of teams is at the bottom of last month's article: https://patch.com/illinois/gle...

Schedule Update!

Even though this is traditionally the off season for local roller derby, the Windy City Rollers will be playing a double header at the Lombard Roller Rink on Sunday, December 17. Doors open at 5:30, first game starts at 6:00! Check their Facebook page at the link above for details as they become available.

In January, we’ll look at near term schedules for our teams!