Roller Derby Explained

[@ravenguest]

This is perfect! Thank you! I've looked all over for an explanation, but none have been this clear!

[@steve0281]

I remember watching this as a boy but never really understood the object of the game. Thanks for posting this. A nebulous concept in my mind has been clarified.

[@Sweetreet]

Loved this video....just joined Derby League, and i watched Roller Derby as a child, but now i understand it a bit more!!! I am loving it!!!

[@dancaton]

Great Video and thanks for posting it. I am going to be videotaping my first Roller Derby in a week and this really helped me understand the sport. Now when I go to check out a practice I won't look completely lost. Thanks

[@mayoikomi]

Watched it when I was a kid and never had a clue how it worked...now I do. Thanks.

[@rdsubjec2fluding]

I'm taking my written test tomorrow and this was a great video. Thanks!

[@wildone81]

Thank you so much for posting this video. It really helped give me a visual on what's happening. I'm trying to learn as much as possible for the 2011 tryouts in New York! Thanks!

[@LindaMRamos]

Went to our first Roller Derby last night. At first we were clueless to what was going on. This video was awesome at explaining it all. Thanks!

[@tallcaffeelatte]

I find this video great with the understanding of the rules. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@JMalc1067]

thanks im an english sportsman and now know the rules of another sport well explained worth watching thanks again

[@angelicMisha]

Excellent video! I wish all instructional vids were like this.

[@shy0dusk]

I have exams, why am I learning about roller Derby, this isn't physics.

[@jdsbindra]

shy0dusk fuck .. I have mathematics

[@SarahSureShot]

This is so incredibly helpful it's insane!! Thanks a million!

[@kvetonp]

You're absolutely right and this explanation is quite a good one - I think it is what irishmakbeth was probably looking for when he posed his questions. You make the point that only someone who knows nothing about RD would make such and assumption - that is exactly what is happening here! Many people don't know a THING about roller derby and would like some more explanation from people involved. Don't attack people just because they don't initially understand something and are asking questions.

[@bretlinden8248]

Please can we please just go back to this please? Not only the ruleset, but the culture of derby when this vid was made...I miss it every day.

[@richocam]

Well done, this is a great explanation and it looks like you put a lot of work into it. Well done.

[@mehare]

This is awesome! I was wondering about the rules because I want to try it! Thanks a million!

[@mrsdaggett1]

I;ve wanted to do this since I was 14 and finally found a team in my city. Im totally going to the fresh meat session next week and can't f-ing wait!!!! Thanks for posting this

[@eole123456789]

Thanks for this brilliant explanation of this strange sport. You obviously had a lot of fun making the animation too !

[@slackerjo701]

That was a great video! I was invited to a bout but had no idea of how the game was played.

[@TalairanPerigord]

Going to my first match tonight and I'm pumped! Now I'll know what I'm watching!

[@Doniedaff]

I used to watch this on TV when I was small. I was fascinated by it. I always thought it had a ball in it though.

[@VicMorrowsGhost]

This explained the rules really well, thanks.

[@12thLeveIWizardKing]

Thank you for this video! I was wondering how this was played. Helpful vid!

[@bertuccill]

this was awesome...really love the song as well. Thnx for the explination...

[@ahauntingmelody]

Thanks for this video! Im going to my first derby try-out tomorrow, and I wasn't really sure what to do but skate. At least I'll know what the hells going on now! :D

[@Vebinz]

owW1, Up thanks fr making this excellent informative video. All those years I thougth it was just roll around the track and hit the other teams.

[@kvetonp]

And I agree that a youtube comments section isn't the easiest place to explain a whole sport, but hey its a video explaining Roller Derby and it's exposing the sport to a lot of people who haven't ever seen it before. As a supporter you should be eager to explain and advocate the sport in this forum - or provide good resources to learn more.

[@wothangclang]

Cool. I have no idea how this game work before. I thought it was a bunch of people trying to pass eachothers. Thanks for the video.

[@BlaineCrockford]

Very visual that helpful. Millions Thanks :)

[@LACoEMT]

Thx, about to go to my first roller derby event :)

[@daleferdinand]

A AWESOME GAME!!! thanks FOR THE EXPLANATION!!!

[@paladin313]

The trick in calling it off if you get points. The point is to score, then cut off the jam to prevent the other jammer from scoring. This is why it is valuable to be the first jammer out of the pack. this is important that, if late in the game and you are protecting a slim lead, you get the lead jammer position and then cut it off right away. It's like taking a knee in football at that point.

[@marytavyponies]

:) thanks for explaining this. i just saw the film whip it and was intrigued...never heard about this sport before and it looks amazing!

[@tomjones7089]

Good presentation, I like it.

[@Mark1Mach2]

Ah that was very clear explanation. The animation really helped. lol at the end when the player knocks off the camera hehe.

[@bdogdj]

@kastar2209 The pivots and blockers can be anywhere as long as they are a part of the pack. The pack is defined as the largest group of skaters, with skaters from both teams, skating within proximity (10 feet) of each other...or something like that...I havent read the most recent rule set. Other blockers must start a jam behind the pivot only if the pivot is lined up on the start line. After the jam starts pivots and blockers may move freely within the pack.

[@bdogdj]

Yes, that's cool. Whenever I finish the updated version I'll try to let everyone know.

[@bdogdj]

@wittyworldlee The same thing happens. They reset and start a new jam. This happens a lot. For example, if the lead jammer falls behind or is passed by the opposing jammer she can call it off before the opposing jammer can pass any of her players. The lead jammer's team doesn't score any points, but it also prevents the opposing team from scoring any points on that jam.

[@2008booboo]

this helps alot! I know now what i am getting myself into

[@Cptntasty]

Great clip. Cheers for the thorough explanation. ;)

[@cintroff]

so helpful c: my bestfriend does roller derby, and i had no idea how it was played. i would of been confused if i watched her play.

[@perladelmar82]

Thanks for the video very helpful...

[@bdogdj]

Blockers can absolutely hit other blockers, and the pivot, and the jammer. Hitting (or checking) is a pivotal part of the sport. However, there are a LOT of rules on how you are allowed to hit…no elbows…no punching…no hits to or below the knees…no hitting the head…and so on.

[@bdogdj]

@BoonieBoon1989 No. you get points for each player in the penalty box, or any player that is "out of play" (20 feet behind or in front of the pack, etc. ) at the time the jammer passes the first opposing player that is in the pack. Also, only 2 blockers can be in the penalty box at a time, so if a third is assesed a penalty that sends her to the penalty box, and there are already 2 blockers in the box, her penalty is delayed until one of them returns to play.

[@bdogdj]

@ColouredHairStreaks Both jammers can score points, but the lead jammer has the advantage of being able to call off the jam at any time. Remember, every jam a new lead jammer (or no lead) is determined. The status doesn't carry over from jam to jam.

[@DevinAethnen]

First reply: The 60s version of derby was a show, yes. However, today's version is an intense SPORT. You have to be in top shape to play, or you will be left behind. It's not like softball, where you sit around half the time. Try finding 8 elementary-schoolers and challenge them to a game of tag where half of them are "it" and you have to stay inside the space of a single basketball court (about the same size as the derby track), and then you might experience the intensity of derby.

[@bdogdj]

You have already made up your mind about roller derby, so it doesn't matter what anyone says, but by your own definition roller derby is absolutely a sport. Direct competition between players toward a specific goal? Yup. The jammers are trying to score points by passing players of the opposing team. Technical ability? Yup. Skating skills (forward, backward, one foot, jumping, etc.), legal blocking and checking, forming effective walls, giving effective whips/pushes, and so on. (see next post)

[@bdogdj]

@robotXzombie Going to flat track removes the restrictively high cost and major headaches of building and maintaining a track. This opened up the sport to anyone who can find a smooth surface large enough for the track. There are still banked track derby leagues out there, but because of the low cost and ease of setting up a flat track, flat track roller derby has exploded in popularity.

[@bdogdj]

This was based on the WFTDA rules for 2006 (ver. 1.0) I know some leagues have added their own rules to line up in the way you mentioned, but, as of yet, there are no rules governing the inside or outside positioning of pivots or jammers. That may change with the new ruleset (ver. 2.1)...if they are ever released...when they do release them I'll have to re-do the entire animation...

[@pretty02roock]

That was really interesting I wondered what/how to play. i met someone today who is on a rollerderby, she was trying to recruit me. sounds interesting, i might have to check it out.

[@bdogdj]

@FlatBlackLak Flat track Vs Banked track. Roller derby used to be played on an inclined (banked) track (like the one you see in the movie Whip It!), but now the majority of current teams play flat track roller derby, which can be played on any large flat surface (...well, any surface that is big enough for the track).

[@kmcjoseph]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@bdogdj]

A Jam is when the actual game play and scoring occurs in Roller Derby. It can last up to two minutes, but can be called off for strategy purposes. For example let's say the Jammer on Team "A" is the lead jammer and has scored 4 points, and the Jammer on Team "B" has not been able to score. Jammer "A" has the choice to either try to score more points, risking the "B" will also score, or she may call off the jam with a score of 4 to 0.

[@OriginalMsVoltage]

This helped me a lot

[@bdogdj]

@BansyHansy *OR* Jammer A is lead but she fell (or fell behind or whatever) and Jammer B is getting to the pack first and is about to score. Jammer A can call off the jam to prevent her from scoring. In this case neither jammer scores any points for that jam (assuming it is the first scoring pass for both jammers).

[@ennui406]

Thanks for posting!

[@bdogdj]

@wittyworldlee They reset and it starts all over again. Each jam lasts until the lead jammer calls it off or 2 minutes passes. The bout is split into two 30 minute periods and there can be as many jams in each period as this rule allows.

[@teasnax]

very cool.... i plan on seeing the Santa Cruz Roller Girls in a coupla weeks, and now i'll know more about what's going on!:D it's gonna be hella fun and i hope they win!!!!

[@UnicyclesGameRoom]

Thanks for the rundown! I just joined as a new ref >:D

[@Spike1885]

intresting song, as well as animated video.... that alone was intreng.

[@bdogdj]

Any blockers not in the pack are scored upon as soon as the the first opposing player that IS in the pack is passed. So, instead of not being able to score on them, they are "free" points. There are always 4 points/pass that can be scored (a 5th point can be scored if the opposing jammer is lapped...Grand Slam!).

[@bdogdj]

@kris123kris Yes, only the jammers score points. The other players (blockers and the pivot) try to keep the opposing jammer from scoring, while assisting their own jammer through the pack.

[@bdogdj]

@kris123kris No. Teams only score points when their jammers pass opposing players legally (or lap the opposing jammer).

[@KenziixInxDisguise]

I'm hoping to join a team as soon as I get the hang of skating again. Unfortunately, the local rink is only open Friday's & Saturday's so it'll take awhile...):

[@JeeprzCreepers56]

This is a really good explanation of Roller Derby, you can learn a lot from it. Go GCRG(GEM CITY ROLLERGIRLS)!

[@bdogdj]

@sprangs1 No, but a lead jammer can lose her lead jammer status by removing the helmet cover with the star, or by going to the penalty box.

[@MajorKeys714]

I used to watch this years ago -- I recall it was spectacularly brutal and full of what are referred to as major penalties.

[@tybo09]

Because you have roller blading experience, you probably have balance and are used to using the inner and outer muscles in your thigh (something I didn't have experience with as a runner)... I figured I could walk in and beat anyone around the track... not so much. Running and skating need very different muscles... I'm building those now, too. :)

[@bdogdj]

Yes, any time after the first whistle blows. Even though the Pivots "set the pace of the pack" they do not need to stay in the front of the pack. Blockers and pivots may move areound as they wish within the pack.

[@DevinAethnen]

Second reply: Blockers must skate within 10 feet of the other team's blockers. Beyond that, you cannot block, so you are out of the game. Therefore, the blockers play tug-of-war with the pack's pacing. Your naive strategy would require that you could somehow force the other team to skate faster right when they want to skate slower, and vice versa. Besides, being "in the position to score" on a track the size of a basketball court is usually a matter of seconds.

[@bdogdj]

@iluvmusik145 Only quad skates are allowed for WFTDA, and as far as I know, there aren't any current inline roller derby leagues (they tried something like it on inlines in the early 90's, I believe, but it didn't last long.) Referees may wear inline skates if they wish.

[@rebeccaburrows954]

Roller Derby saved my soul by uncle leon and the alibis is the name of the song.

[@bdogdj]

@BansyHansy @BansyHansy When a jammer is the Lead Jammer they can call it off any time they want by tapping their hips. Usually it is done to prevent the OTHER jammer from scoring any points. For example, Jammer A is lead jammer and has just scored 4 points on her second pass through the pack. Jammer B has not yest gotten to the pack on her scoring pass. Jammer A sees this and calls off the jam so that Jammer B can't score any points.

[@bdogdj]

At the risk of offending every pivot I know, I think they would best be described to a fan as glorified blockers. I do not mean glorified in a negative sense, only that they act exactly as blockers with two exceptions. They may line up on the pivot line (this is the start line for the pack…all other blockers must start behind the pivots), and under certain circumstances they can become a jammer (the original Jammer may “Pass the Star” to the pivot during a jam, giving up her jammer position.)

[@period73]

cool cheers for the reply, yeah im definiately interested in joining in but im here in galway Ireland, what are the chances of it ever taking off over here, pretty slim id say!

[@HandsomeDynamite]

Informative video...what songs did you use?

[@Elyseis2fly]

omg i saw it first saw it today such a good movie, now im interested in this and i wanna start, im kinda mad im late on this im only 18 so i can only do recreational =[ but this allows time for me to get better

[@sprangs1]

awesome cheers. during a jam can the lead jammer change if so how???

[@devilfallenangle]

1)a jam is the 2 minute skate were the teams try to score points. the lead jamer might call it off to prevent the other team from score any or more points. 2)yes they can 3)the pivots are like the main blocker who yells out orders to get the jamer thourgh

[@wallienewen3446]

I still don't understand anything.

[@DevinAethnen]

Third reply: They move slower ... like sharks. Blockers, as the name implies, exist to physically block jammers. They get in the way, and they shove and hit you. You get bruised for sure. I've seen bones broken. By going relatively slowly, blockers have better side-to-side motion control and more stamina. They make boxes and walls. They hit the other team's blockers. This is why you put your strongest players as blockers and your fastest, most agile players as jammers.

[@johnc5869]

Enlightening. What program did you use to make the animation?

[@bdogdj]

@bdogdj ..Oh, and blocking to the thigh is not a penalty even if they fall. A low block (or trip) is from just above the knee down...The thigh is fair game.

[@DevinAethnen]

The place to ask how to play an entire sport is not in a comments area where people are restrained to 500 characters. irishmakbeth's comments sounded like this to me: You can win at soccer by having your whole team form a human wall in front of the goal, so it doesn't seem like there's much strategy to it. For one thing, just as you can kick the ball over them, the jammer can just skate faster than the pack. For another, you can't win with no offense.

[@fluffyb]

thanks for the tutorial

[@idriveapinkcar]

well, it's derby season now! so start searching for the closest teams to you and check out their schedules!

[@sloppygoo]

Why did I recommend this. I've never roller bladed in my life

[@macmelmorgan]

is there a reason why roller skates are used instead of rollerblades, which would allow sharper turn, speed etc. ? I'm surprised this wasn't explained, it's the first thing I notice.

[@Yarniereg]

this vid is awesome!!!

[@wittyworldlee]

what happens when the lead jammer 'calls it off' ? cool animation btw!

[@bdogdj]

@adambungle ...Ran out of room... sorry... Tripping can be a Minor or Major based on the impact of the foul (almost all rules are based on this magical concept of "IMPACT"). If tripping (or a low block) causes the girl to stumble, but not fall or lose her relative position is a minor. Any low contact or tripping that causes her to fall or lose relative position is a major.

[@obienator]

Sounds awesome! Shame on the idiots that dismiss this as a sport, as if groping for an egg shaped ball sounds any less supid

[@bdogdj]

Tactical gameplans? Absolutely. Roller derby is one of very few sports in which you must play offense and defense at the same time. You are trying to get your jammer through the pack while preventing the opposing jammer from passing any of your blockers. There are many, MANY strategies and tactics for scoring and preventing the other team from scoring in this sport. Just because YOU don't understand it (by your own admission) does not mean that it does not make sense.

[@FMaz]

So, when a team has a player removed, yes they lose the player, BUT it also makes it impossible for the other team to score the full points as there is 1 less player to pass ? So if it's less than 1minute to the end, and your winning, can all the players from a team do major penalty and then no more players to pass: no point can be made ?

[@tybo09]

Whip It is fun, but they play VERY loose with the rules in that movie... But, yeah, it is a movie. Most modern derby is flat track (keeps the costs down and requires a little more work on the skater's part in the corners) I would love to try banked one day, though.

[@54spiritedwill54]

holy shit, this video is baddass! i didn't know shit about derby but now i do!

[@irishmakbeth]

I dont know enough to make my mind up. Im just trying to understand. Im not fully convinced of the competitive nature, but then my opinion holds no weight on the matter. And by that mean more primal competitive rather than simply scoring points. Although the more i learn about it then more I tend towards it, I still feel as though im being attacked for not immediately accepting it as a sport. This leads me to believe that its a common criticism and so may actually have some weight to it.

[@starlasaz]

i'm pretty sure the pivots are in the wrong formation. aren't they supposed to be opposite of their jammer? and form a diamond with the rest of the blockers?

[@90Nabz90]

so does a game usually end as soon as the first jammer has more points than the opponent like in the video? or do they do more and more laps?