Helpful tips

1) Set your our goals and don't hold yourself back. Find out what your strength & weakness are, ask your coach for their feedback and don't just wait. You'll find that once your goal is set everything will run a lot smoother.

2)  Be the first to show up to practice & be the last to leave practice.

3) Listen to your coach. Seriously! listen don't let it in one ear and out the other. Have respect for your coach & trust what they train. Same goes for your refs don't talk back to them.

4) The words "I can't" "She better than me" "I'll never get" etc... Erase these from your brain. If you have that kind of attitude then you'll never get anywhere. Roller derby is 50% physical & 50% mental, you can't have one over the other.

5) Support your teammates & encourage them no matter what everybody is at different levels, but everyone still starts off as a fresh meat. Cheer the girls on, if you see someone struggling to learn something just help them.

6) Don't be afraid to ask questions. The more you ask the more you learn. Roller derby is a sisterhood there will always be someone out there that is willing to answer questions & help you on this journey.

7) Watch as much games as you can possible can. Study how the teams work together, the blockers keeping the pack & the way the jammer races through the track.

8) Learn all positions. This will help you in the long run cause you'll never know what is going to happen. If you get hurt learn how to be an NSO that way you still can go to the scrimmages & bouts.

9) If something does happen to you like a simple thing of just twisting your ankle to a horrible thing as breaking a bone just remember listen to what your doctor says. If s/he says you need to rest then rest & recover. Its okay to have the fear of skating again after recovery, but remember that your teammates are there for your support.

10) Don't be afraid, disappointed or jealous. Don't be afraid of falling, knocking someone out or even getting hit. Not saying this won't happen, but try not to let it happen. Honestly jealously is just an ugly thing there really is no point to it try not to let it get to you.

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.