This is How We Roll

Roller derby is a competitive, full-contact sport with no choreographing. Most leagues play on flat tracks because they are more prevalent than banked tracks. Skaters wear old-school quad skates.

JAMMERS:

Jammers wear the star on their helmets and use speed and agility to score as many points as possible during each jam. A jammer must cut through the pack, passing all her opponents. If the opposing team is able to hold back the jammer, no points are scored by her team. The jammer who legally cuts through the pack first is the lead jammer. Only the lead jammer can call off the jam before the clocks ends. The advantage to being the lead jammer is that she can call off play before the other team scores more points or if she is having trouble getting through the pack.

PACK:

Three blockers and one pivot from each team compose the pack and attempt to stop the opposing jammer from scoring points. These versatile skaters simultaneously play offense and defense as they skate around the track.

PIVOT:

The players with the stripe on their helmets set the pace for their blockers. The pivot is often the last person the jammer must pass, making her the last line of defense for her team.

BLOCKERS:

These skaters follow the pivot to clear a path for their jammer and destroy the opposing jammer. Playing defense, they block the opposing jammer, preventing her from passing them and scoring. Offensively, the blockers assist their jammer through the pack.

HOW WE ROLL

• Each game, called a bout, consists of two 30 minute halves.
• Each period contains several jams that can last up to 2 minutes.
• Before each jam, 5 players from each team line up on the track.
• The pack is released at the single whistle. The jammers shoot off in hot pursuit at the double whistle.
• The first jammer to make it through the pack legally is called lead jammer.

HOW WE SCORE

• Jammers are the only players who can score, but first they have to make it through the pack once.
• On their second trip through the pack, jammers gain a point for each opposing player they pass legally.
• The lead jammer controls the score by calling off the jam at anytime. She does this by tapping her hands on her hips.

LEGAL BRUTALITY

• Hit from the side
• Use the arm above the elbow to block.
• Whipping or pushing a member of your own team.

ILLEGAL BRUTALITY

• Blocking with elbows, forearms, hands or head.
• Intentionally falling or tripping another skater.
• Hitting, pushing or blocking a skater from behind.
• Displaying any kind of unsportswomanlike conduct.
• Holding or grabbing players.
• Cutting across the track.
• Hitting from out of bounds.
• Engage a skater more than 20 feet in front of or behind the pack.