How do you play Roller Derby?
Roller Derby is a fast and furious full contact sport predominately played by women on roller skates on an oval track. The aim of the sport is for the Jammer to lap the opposing team to get as many points as he/she can whilst the opposing team will attempt to stop him/her getting through by dishing out heavy blocks, from shoulder to shoulder.
Roller derby consists of two teams battling it for two thirty minute periods. Each team will send five skaters on per round (Jam). The majority of skaters are called Blockers and Pivot (Pack), they start ahead of the point scorers, the Jammers. Amongst the Blockers there is a Pivot, she commands and controls her team on track.
As the whistle blows the two teams of blockers set off around the track, knocking each other out of the way to give their Jammer the advantage. On the second whistle the Jammers set off, racing against each other to get through the pack, legally, to get the Lead Jammer status. The two Jammers will battle it out by lapping the Pack to get as many points within two minutes or until the Lead Jammer calls it off. Then it starts all over again!
Roller derby consists of two teams battling it for two thirty minute periods. Each team will send five skaters on per round (Jam). The majority of skaters are called Blockers and Pivot (Pack), they start ahead of the point scorers, the Jammers. Amongst the Blockers there is a Pivot, she commands and controls her team on track.
As the whistle blows the two teams of blockers set off around the track, knocking each other out of the way to give their Jammer the advantage. On the second whistle the Jammers set off, racing against each other to get through the pack, legally, to get the Lead Jammer status. The two Jammers will battle it out by lapping the Pack to get as many points within two minutes or until the Lead Jammer calls it off. Then it starts all over again!
Player positions
Jammer- The jammer is considered a ‘sprint’ skater and is easily spotted by wearing a star on her 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.
Pivot- Pivots are known as the ‘pacesetters’ of each team and they can be spotted because they wear a striped helmet. The pivot is also responsible for calling out plays on a moment’s notice; all skaters look to this position for guidance and tactics. A similar example would be a Quarter-Back in American Football. |
Blocker- Blockers are situated behind the pivot, each team has three blockers on the track. Blockers plays a vital offensive and defensive roles, helping their jammer get through the pack while simultaneously working together to block the opposing team’s jammer.
Power Blocker - The power blocker is the last blocker in the pack lineup and the first blocker to challenge the jammers. Strategically, he/she works to break the speed of the opposing jammer and hold her back from entering the pack.
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 she may, at a strategic time, call off the jam to prevent her opponent from scoring more points (by putting her hands on her hips).
Power Blocker - The power blocker is the last blocker in the pack lineup and the first blocker to challenge the jammers. Strategically, he/she works to break the speed of the opposing jammer and hold her back from entering the pack.
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 she may, at a strategic time, call off the jam to prevent her opponent from scoring more points (by putting her hands on her hips).