Roller Derby Glossary

Since this going to be a blog about roller derby & fresh meat lifestyle this glossary will help you better understand the terms that I'll be using. If your just starting as a fresh meat or just not apart of the derby scene it can still get pretty confusing  

 

Blocker

Roller derby position.

Skater whose job it is to prevent the other team’s jammer from getting through the pack while allowing their own jammer through. There are four blockers per team on the track at one time, including the pivot.

Bout

The term used by the WFTDA to designate a roller derby match. Approximately 60 minutes long, with a break at the 30 minute point. DCRG’s breaks are 10 minutes long.

Calling off the jam

A tactic employed by the lead jammer to end the jam early, in order to prevent the other jammer from scoring.

Crossover

A maneuver that allows a skater to take turns on the track quickly by crossing one foot in front of the other.

Derby crush

A skater who you admire so much, on and off the track, you have a “crush” on them.

Derby wife

The skater with whom you have a very close relationship with; your best friend in roller derby.

Fall small

Keeping your body as compact as you can while you fall, to prevent injury to yourself and other skaters.

Fresh meat

Skaters who have passed tryouts but have not passed their WFTDA skills assessment. At Barstow's Stignin' Derby Dames, we are getting rid of this term, so we’ve been referring to ourselves as “freshies.”

Jam

The generally two-minute period during which the skating happens. There may be any number of jams in a bout. If the bout clock runs out but the jam clock is still running, the jam continues until it is called off or ends.

Jammer

Roller derby position.

noun. Skater who scores points for her team. The jammer wears the star panty on her helmet. She starts behind the pack at the jammer line. Once she breaks through the pack initially, she scores points by passing members of the opposing team.

Jammerless jam

A jam that goes the full two minutes because both teams’ jammers are in the penalty box.

Jammer line

Starting line on the track for jammers. Located behind the pivot line, jammers may not cross the jammer line until signaled by referee whistle.

Lead Jammer

The jammer who breaks through the pack first is the lead jammer. She has the ability to call off the jam as a defensive move.

NSO

Non-Skating Official. Assists with referee duties.

Pack

All the blockers on the track. Jammers try to get through the pack to score.

Panty

Helmet cover worn by jammers and pivots to make them easily identifiable. Jammer panties have a star and pivot panties have a central stripe running from the front to the back of the helmet.

Pivot

Roller Derby position.

The blocker who stays at the front of the pack and regulates the speed at which the pack skates. Sort of like a quarterback, she calls plays if necessary.

Pivot line

Starting line on the track for blockers. Only the pivot is allowed to start on the pivot line. All other blockers must line up behind her hips, even if she is not touching the pivot line. Skaters may only cross the pivot line when signaled by the referee.

Power jam

A jam where one jammer is in the penalty box so only one jammer skates, and thus only one team can score.

Ref Lane

The area around the track where certain referees will skate in order to spot penalties. Usually 6- 10 feet wide.

Roller Derby          A sport played on quad skates, on flat or banked track. The object of the game is to score the most points. Points are scored by jammers legally passing blockers, who try to prevent the opposing team’s jammer from passing while making it easier for their jammer to pass.

Turn

Spots where the track turns, usually referred to as turn one, turn two, turn three and turn four, with turn one being the first curve after the pivot line.

WFTDA

Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. The governing body that organizes and certifies flat track leagues, determines rules for flat track roller derby, and tracks league rankings.