About Roller Derby
THE BASICS OF FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY
Roller derby takes place on a flat track with an inside circumference of 148.5 ft and an outside circumference of 236.5 ft. The game, played in two 30 minute periods, is a series of races between two teams of five players – three Blockers, one Pivot and one Jammer (scorer). Helmet covers, called panties, differentiate the positions. Jammers wear stars while Pivots wear stripes. No covers are used by the Blockers.
Each race, or play, is called a jam and lasts up to two minutes. At the start of the jam, the Pivots and Blockers gather in formation at the starting line. On the first whistle, they begin skating counterclockwise as a pack while the Jammers remain stationary. After the pack passes the 20-foot mark, a second whistle sends the Jammers on their way.
A Jammer is the only player able to score points. Their goal is to become the first player to legally pass all opposing players in the pack. Blockers attempt to stop the other team’s Jammer while propelling their own forward. The Pivots act like the pace car in a NASCAR race and control the speed of the pack while also acting as a blocker.
The Pivots and Blockers must remain in a pack and are not permitted to stray more than 20 feet from the largest group. If a Pivot or Blocker falls or otherwise becomes separated, she is out of play and cannot block or assist the Jammers until she rejoins the pack.
After passing the pack the first time, a Jammer scores one point for each opposing player they legally pass. The first Jammer to legally pass all opposing pack members becomes the lead Jammer. As the lead Jammer, the player can ‘call off’, or end the jam, before the two-minutes are up by repeatedly placing her hand on her hips.
Even though a bout may appear to be a no-holds-barred free-for-all, the sport is governed by a strict set of rules. The official WFTDA rules and referee hand signals can be found here.
A Few Things to Know…
To receive points, Jammers must pass opponents while in bounds.
Jammers do not receive points if they foul a player while making a pass or pass a player headed to the penalty box.
If an opposing player passes the Jammer, no points are scored when the Jammer repasses that player.
Points are not scored for passing an opposing Jammer unless she is being lapped.
Blocking is permitted using body parts above the mid-thigh, excluding forearms, hands and head. Blocks from behind are not permitted.
A player cannot block with extended arms or elbows.
If a player commits an infraction, such as an illegal block or unsportsmanlike conduct, penalties are awarded. After four minor penalties, the player must serve one minute in the penalty box. A major penalty requires the player to serve one minute in the penalty.
Quad skates, helmets, mouth guards, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads are required.
