Derby for Dummies

A roller derby tournament or game is called a 'bout.' A bout is 60 minutes long and consists of two 30-minute halves. Within each boat is a series of 'jams' with each jam lasting up to two minutes.

During a jam, each team is allowed four blockers and one jammer on the track. The jammer is indicated by the star “panty” (a stretchy cover) on her helmet. The jammer is the only position able to score points. The “pack” is the group of eight blockers.

On the first whistle the pack starts and establishes their positions and plays. On the second whistle the jammers race to become “lead jammer” by making it through the pack first without any penalties. The only advantage to lead jammer status is that it allows that jammer to call off the jam at any point. You will know the lead jammer is calling off the jam when she repeatedly hits her hands on her hips. Regardless of who is lead jammer, both jammers are able to score points. Points are earned by the jammer passing an opposing blocker. For each blocker they pass they earn one point.

So what’s the point of a blocker? A blocker’s job is to stop the opposing jammer with hits and blocks while helping her jammer with whips and pushes.

What is the deal with the striped helmet? This position is the pivot. They generally control the pack and communicate plays with their teammates. Most importantly, the pivot is the only player who is allowed to trade positions with the jammer during the jam, which is known as “passing the panty” or “passing the star.” If the jammer/pivot pass the panty they trade positions and the pivot becomes the jammer and point scorer.

Why can’t you punch somebody? There are certain parts of the body you can hit and certain parts of the body you can hit with. Fists and heads are out. Skaters save that for the afterparty and nationals.

Penalty box: There are major and minor penalties. One major or four minor penalties earns a skater a trip to the penalty box for one minute. Sometimes it is worth the trip.

Key penalties Tripping: Even unintentional tripping of an opposing player is a major penalty.

Elbows/Hands: Skaters can whip, push, trip elbow and grab their own teammate but it is a penalty if they do the same to an opposing skater.

Cutting the Track: Contrary to what some skaters believe, we have boundaries for a reason. If a skater is knocked out of bounds by an opposing player, she must reenter the track behind that skater to avoid a penalty. If the opposing player who knocked her out of bounds falls or also goes out of bounds, she is considered out of play and the out of bounds skater may step in front of her to reenter the track.