What is Roller DERBY?
Basics of the game
A game is made up of a number of individual jams, each lasting up to two minutes. Each of the two teams will put five skaters onto the track at a time: one designated scoring player called the ‘jammer’ who wears a star on their helmet; and four ‘blockers’. One blocker from each team can be designated as the ‘pivot’, wearing a stripe on their helmet.
Play begins with the blockers from both teams skating in a mixed formation known as the ‘pack’. The two jammers start behind the pack and must try to get through and out the front - the first to do so earns ‘lead jammer’ status. After this initial pass, the jammers race around the track and try to get through the pack for a second time. This is when they’ll start scoring, earning one point for each opponent that they pass legally and in-bounds.
Roller derby is very tactical, with offence and defence being played at the same time. The jammers may continue to race around the track and score points for up to two minutes, or until the lead jammer calls off the jam (by repeatedly touching their hands to their hips). When this happens, the referees will blow four short blasts of the whistle before we start over again with the next jam!
Like any sport, roller derby has a complex set of rules and strategies. Unsurprisingly though, the team with the most points at the end wins!
PENALTIES
Referees communicate penalties with one blow of the whistle, then call out the offending skater by jersey colour and player number. The player must then exit the track and take a seat in the penalty box.
The penalty box is a seated area outside of the track. Skaters sent off for penalties must enter the penalty box safely and must re-enter the track behind the pack once the penalty time (30 seconds) has elapsed.
A jammer will get a point for an opposing skater who is in the penalty box as soon as they pass one other skater from that team. This ensures that teams don’t miss out on points because an opponent is in the box.
When a jammer goes to the penalty box the opposing team has a huge opportunity to rack up points without giving any away. This is called a ‘power jam’.
PLAYER POSITIONS
Jammer
The jammer is considered a “sprint” skater and is designated by wearing a star on their helmet. The jammers must break through the pack once and lap it before scoring. Both jammers can score on their second time through the pack, at which time they get one point for each opponent passed legally in bounds.
Lead Jammer
The lead jammer is the first jammer to break through the pack passing all the opposing blockers and pivot in bounds and without penalties. As lead jammer they may, at a strategic time, call off the jam to prevent their opponent from scoring more points (by putting their hands on their hips)
PIVOT
Pivots are blockers that can receive a ‘star pass’ from the jammer. That is, the jammer can transfer their jammer status to the pivot by taking off their helmet cover and giving it to the pivot to put on. This then makes them the active jammer and they can continue to score points.
Blocker
Other than the pivot, each team has three blockers on the track. Blockers play vital offensive and defensive roles, helping their jammer get through the pack while simultaneously working together to block the opposing team’s jammer.