ROLLER DERBY 101
THE BASICS OF FLAT-TRACK ROLLER DERBY
WHAT:
Roller derby is an exciting blend of speed, skill, brains, and brawn.
WHERE:
On a flat track (any surface suitable for skating - concrete, wood, sport court)
WHO:
Two teams of five players – three Blockers, one Pivot, and one Jammer. The Pivots act like the pace car in a NASCAR race and control the speed of the pack while also acting as a blocker.
WHEN:
Each bout consists of two 30-minute periods made up of individual ‘jams’ lasting up to 2 minutes each.
WHY:
The objective is to score the most points!
HOW:
At the start of each jam, the Blockers and Pivots are positioned between 2 lines on the track, the pivot line, and the jammer line. The Jammers are behind the jammer line and play begins with a whistle. A Jammer scores a point for every opposing player they pass (after their initial pass). Blockers attempt to prevent opposing Jammers from passing them.
For a more extensive understanding, check out The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby, the Penalty Quick Reference Guide, and more resources provided by the WFTDA.
JAMMERS
star on helmet
one per team
point scorer
BLOCKERS
makes up the pack
four per team
offense and defense
PIVOT
stripe on helmet
one per team
sets pace
THE HISTORY OF ROLLER DERBY
Roller derby was invented by Leo Seltzer in 1935 as a cross-country roller skating race simulation. The first event drew large crowds and evolved into a full-contact sport with collisions and crashes. The introduction of television in the 1950s propelled roller derby's popularity. It waned in the 1970s due to economic challenges. In 2001, roller derby was revived in Austin, TX, focusing on competitive athletics and female empowerment. Modern roller derby follows Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rules and boasts over 400 leagues globally, combining athleticism, strategy, and teamwork.