Saturday, October 26, 2013

What is Roller Derby and Why?


What would your reason be to join the wonderful world of roller derby? 
I'd loved to hear your comments.

What is Roller Derby?
Okay... Let's start this off from the beginning.

Roller Derby: This game is a full contact skating sport there will be falls & there will be bruising. The game is played between two teams of five skating members.
The bout begins with the pivots and the blockers (defensive players) skating in front in a tight formation (the pack) and a jammer (point scorer). The teams are playing both offense and defense while the jammers are racing through the pack to become lead jammer, once they receive the position of lead jammer it is a continuations race to score points by passing each blocker on the opposing team. Each game is two periods for 30 minutes for as many jams as possible for up to two minutes each or until the lead jammer calls off the jam by rapidly tapping her hips.

Pivot: Wears a strip on her helmet cover. She is a blocker that control the pack's pace and is also allowed to become a jammer in the course of play.

Blockers: The blockers don't wear helmet covers. Their job is block by the use of body contact, changing positions, and other tactics to assist its jammer to score while hindering the opposing team's jammer.

Jammer: Wears two stars on her helmet cover. During the jam after the first initial pass through the pack to become lead jammer is to pass the opposing team each lap to score points.

So if anyone want to learn even more about this wonderful world of roller derby just go the WFTDA site or just want to refresh your brains on the rules here is the online version of the WFTDA Rule Book.

Why Roller Derby?
This is something I've been asked a lot of since I joined so I'll tell you why.
First: The sport itself is awesome, but once you start playing you'll understand why & honestly it keeps you healthy and in shape.
Second: The people that have told me "I don't see you playing the game or your too small those women you'll crush you" only makes me what to prove them wrong.
Third: It is a way of making friendships last or a bond of sisterhood. I was never the type of girl that would hang around a lot of girls, but my teammates are amazing women with the love for roller derby.
Forth: My daughter. She is my world, she is the reason I'm keeping up with the sport she actually goes to practices with me (sometimes) helping our coach by blowing the whistle, cheers me on when her and I have one on one practices by our house.I love being a roller derby mom.
Fifth: Being a full time mom/worker can being stressful, being a single income can be stressful, but with all the stress skating just feels right at the end of the day. The practices are meant to be tough, sweaty, heart racing, getting your blood pumping. Working out seems to do it for me to relieve all my stress. That is why I chose roller derby.

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