roller derby explained
In roller derby, each skater plays one of three positions on the track; Pivot, Blocker (who together form the pack)
and the Jammer.
and the Jammer.
positions
The pack starts with a pivot from each team in front, three blockers from each team in the middle, and the jammer from each team back behind the pack (see the diagram on the left). The first whistle blows and the pack takes off, the second whistle blows and the jammers take off and fight their way through the pack to try and become "lead jammer".
The jammers circle around the track and lap the pack. When they re-enter the pack, they receive one point for each member of the opposing team they pass legally.
A jam lasts a max of two minutes, but the lead jammer can call off the jam at any time that is best for her and her team.
penalties
There are penalties in derby for illegal plays such as; false starts, going out of bounds, hitting with/to illegal areas of the body, holding, intentional tripping/falling.
Still confused?? Read what our muddy river blogger has to say... she'll explain some things every week and you'll find out some more tidbits along the way!
- Pivot: Sets the pace of the pack and is the team's last line of defense. Her helmet has a stripe down the centre to identify her.
- Blocker: Tries to stop the jammer from getting through the pack, and makes things more difficult for the opposing team's blockers.
- Jammer: Make their way through the pack to score points. You can tell who these players are by the stars on their helmets.
The pack starts with a pivot from each team in front, three blockers from each team in the middle, and the jammer from each team back behind the pack (see the diagram on the left). The first whistle blows and the pack takes off, the second whistle blows and the jammers take off and fight their way through the pack to try and become "lead jammer".
The jammers circle around the track and lap the pack. When they re-enter the pack, they receive one point for each member of the opposing team they pass legally.
A jam lasts a max of two minutes, but the lead jammer can call off the jam at any time that is best for her and her team.
penalties
There are penalties in derby for illegal plays such as; false starts, going out of bounds, hitting with/to illegal areas of the body, holding, intentional tripping/falling.
Still confused?? Read what our muddy river blogger has to say... she'll explain some things every week and you'll find out some more tidbits along the way!