Today's roller derby is not like that of yesterday. Today's derby is played as a sport and is not scripted nor fake. Fighting is not encouraged in the least little bit!
Roller derby today is more of a race around the track to break past other players and to score as many points as possible. It is a full contact sport.
Some teams play it on a banked track while the majority, like us, play on a flat track area.
Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards are required as protective gear to play and participate and mouth guards are also required to be worn for games and scrimmages. Oh and hydration is absolutely important and crucial to performance so be sure to drink plenty of water and bring a large water bottle or 2 to practices!
There are 2 teams of 5 people on each team that play. A roller derby game or scrimmage consists of 10 people on the track. Only 2 team play at a time.
A game is grouped into 3 twenty minute periods or can sometimes only have two 30 minute periods. Each period allows for jams that can last up to 2 minutes each. In between the jams, the teams have 30 seconds to line back up.
A team consists of a jammer, a pivot and 3 blockers. Alltogether, the blockers and the pivots are known as a pack.
Each team has a pivot to represent them during a game (2 pivots), 6 blockers, and 2 jammers (point scorers) on the track during a game. The job of the pivots is to set the pace for the pack and to help their respective jammers break through the pack and they are a last line of defense for their team against opposing jammers. They are identified by the stripe in the center of their helmet covers.
The blockers work with their pivot to help their jammer break through the opposing pack while blocking the opposing team's jammer from breaking through and scoring points and keeping the opposing blockers from helping their jammer through.
The jammers are the point scorers for their teams. They each wear a star on their helmet covers and are located 20 feet behind the pack. The goal of the jammer is to break through the opposing blockers and pivot to score points while their team's blockers and pivot help pull them through. To score points, the jammer must lap through the pack once and then on the second lap back around through the pack, only then can she score points. For each person she passes, she scores a point.
When the first whistle blows, the pack begins, when the 2 short whistles blow, the jammers can then begin the jam. Four whistles signal the end of the jam which either happens after 2 minutes has elapsed or the lead jammer has called off the jam by placing her hands on her hips. The lead jammer is the first to get through the pack legally and she can call off the jam anytime after earning the status of lead jammer. The lead jammer will be noted by the referee that is following and keeping up with the lead jammer by the ref holding his arm straight and pointing to the lead jammer.
Moves that will land one in the penalty box are:
Tripping, elbowing, blocking with the head or swinging arm, grabbing, blocking a jammer while 20 feet away from the pack.