What is Roller Derby?
 
Roller Derby is a team contact sport, played on quad roller skates, around an oval track. A game has two halves of 30 minutes each and these are divided into shorter periods, of a maximum of two minutes, called jams. There are 15 players on each team but only five of them are in play on track for a jam, players swapping in and out between jams.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
During a  jam the opposing teams each have a points scorer (the 'jammer'), and four 'blockers' one of whom is designated the 'pivot'. The jammers are identified by the star on their helmet cover and the pivot,  has a single stripe. The blockers of both teams must stay close together and form the 'pack'. They act to stop the opposing jammer passing through the pack and may also help their own jammer get through. Points are scored by the jammers of each team for every member of the opposing team that they can pass. The opposing team can use their bodies (but not they arms, hands, lower legs or head) to try and stop them passing or to knock them over or off the track.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At the start of a jam - jammers line up behind the jam line, blockers - infront of the jam line, but behind the pivot line. The first jammer to get through the pack is designated 'lead'. This is a tactical advantage as lead jammer can then end the jam at anytime by repeatedly tapping their hips and prevent the opposition jammer from scoring.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The game is played under the rules published by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. These rules are overseen by a crew of referees on skates and Non-Skating Officials (NSOs). Infringements of the rules are signaled by the referees using whistles and hand signals. The player must then spend 30 seconds in a track-side penalty box during which their team must skate short.