Bout Time... Flat Track Derby

   

      I have learned a LOT about the game we call a BOUT. A lot of people ask me what roller derby is and the objective of the game. My usual response is that it's like playing football on skates without a ball and that I play for a league that plays flat track roller derby. A bout is a game that consists of 2-30minute halves with 2 minute jams. A jam is played with 10 players, 5 skaters each team. The Jammers wear a star panty on their helmet (yes I said panty, this is removed from player to player as they become the jammer) they are like your linebacker. They start behind the pack which consists of 4 blockers of each team (who play both offense and defense simultaneously) one of whom is your pivot or your quarterback. The pivot is the one wearing the stripe panty on her helmet, she also controls the pack and when need be can become the jammer herself when the jammer decides she can no longer fulfill getting points but doesn't want to call off the jam. The first whistle blows and the jammers need to get through the pack. The first one to get through the pack then becomes your lead jammer which means she can call off the jam before 2 minutes by tapping her hands on her hips.  Each jammer can start collecting points as soon as she returns to the pack and gets through and past each opposing player, (one point per opposing skater). During this time the blockers will hip, booty, or shoulder check the opposing jammer in an attempt to NOT let her through all the while making a way for their jammer to get through. If a player makes any illegal hits they will be called out into the penalty box for 1 minute. If the lead jammer happens to get called to the penalty box the jam then becomes a POWER JAM in which the opposing jammer can collect points until the lead jammer has served her time, given there is still time on the clock.

     I encourage you to look for a roller derby league/team near you to join or support your local roller derby girls. The movie Whip It is not a precise adaptation, but nonetheless very entertaining.

     We just had a Derby101 class and it is always awesome to get your coaches and team skaters different perspectives on strategies. I LOVE ROLLER DERBY!!!!!!!


Beach Cities Roller Derby has themed bouts and this next bout coming up July 27th 2013 will be NERDS! (pictures to come after the bout) Also with each bout we help support our community. Last months bouts theme was super hero which helped us raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, this month our featured charity event will be for women in recovery <3