Memphis Roller Derby  

The Basics of Flat Track Roller Derby

TWO teams of 5 players each

FOUR defensive players

ONE jammer

JAMMER: point scorer.

DEFENSIVE Players: 3 blockers and 1 pivot.

The PACK: The tight skating formation of both teams' defensive players. The jammers must get through the pack.

The Jam: At the first whistle blow, the blockers take off in a tight pack - knockin’ & beatin’ on each other as their pivots set the pace. When the pack is 20-ft. ahead, the whistle blows again for the jammers to start their race! They dodge and push their way through the pack. Their opponent blockers try to knock ‘em down or out of bounds! Jammers do NOT score points their first time through the pack. They are fighting for Lead Jammer position!

The jammers continue to race around the track & attempt to break through the pack again. This time, the jammers score one point for each opponent they pass while they are in-bounds. Typically, this means a possibility of 4 points per pass through the pack. But read below for exceptions! A jam will continue for 2 minutes or until the lead jammer “calls off the jam.”

PLAYER POSITIONS

JAMMER: Helmet – Star. The “speed” skater who scores points by passing opponents in-bounds. If the jammer passes a blocker out of bounds, she misses a point.

LEAD JAMMER: The first jammer to break through the pack the first time around. She may strategically call off the jam by putting both hands on her hips.
PIVOT: Helmet – Striped. The pacesetters at the front of the pack and the last line of defense. Pivots are the team leaders responsible for calling out plays on a moment’s notice. Occasionally, pivots can even take over the jammer position in a “jammer handoff” – a sneaky strategy play!

BLOCKER: Helmet – Solid Team Color. Blockers play a vital defensive role, helping their jammer get through the pack while simultaneously working together to block the opposing team’s jammer.

POWER BLOCKER: A strategy position that tries to hold back the jammer from entering the pack. Once a power blocker has been passed, she moves ahead of her blocking teammates to re-engage the jammer. aka - The Mosquito.
PACK: A pack has a maximum of 8 skaters (2 pivots, 6 blockers). It is possible for a pack to have less skaters, due to penalties.

GAME TIME!

Two 30-minute periods, One 15-minute intermission.

Unlimited jams per period, each jam no longer than 2 minutes.

A jam lasts 2 minutes UNLESS:

  • The lead jammer calls it off early
  • The period clock times out
  • Referees call off due to a major penalty, injury or skate equipment failure

The period clock continues between jams. Teams have 30 seconds to get into formation for the next jam or risk a “Delay of Game” penalty.

Timeouts: 3x one-minute timeouts per bout per team. Can only be used between jams.

Overtime: If the score is a tied at the end of the game, it goes into overtime. The teams will skate one jam for the full 2-minutes with no lead jammer. Team with the most points at the end of the jam, wins.

Courtesy of: www.carolinarollergirls.com

 

A Fan's Rules to Know

No Lead Jammer! YIKES!

The first time through the pack, if the jammers do not pass the blockers legally and in bounds, there will be no lead jammer and the jam will continue for the full 2 minutes. This is tough on the jammers!

 No Points! WHAT?

A Jammer will not be awarded points if one or both of her skates is on the ground out of bounds.

BUT - If the jammer drops behind the blocker she passed out of bounds, she may re-pass the blocker in-bounds and get that point!

Why Penalties SUCK!

  • If a blocker commits a foul on the jammer, the jammer will be awarded the point that she is attempting to score.
  • The jammer will be awarded an extra point for every opposing skater in the penalty box, but only after passing all opponents in the pack.

• A jammer cannot score on a blocker upon whom she committed a penalty.

Take THAT!

If a jammer laps the opposing team’s jammer, she scores an extra point, if she gets all 5 points (pivot, 3 blockers and opposing jammer) it's a Grand Slam.

Blocking RULES

  • It is illegal to:
  • Block/push an opponent from behind
  • It is illegal for a skater to block with her feet or trip an opponent.
  • Use any part of the arm below the elbow to aggressively push. In using arms for blocking purposes, the arm must be BENT, not extended full length.
  • GRAB, HOLD, or PULL an opposing player

Elbows may be used in blocking, but not in the following manner:

  • A skater is not permitted to use an elbow block above the shoulders.
  • A skater is not permitted to use an elbow with an upward or downward motion.
  • A skater may not use the elbow as a “punch” to the chest.

Why Ain’t That Blocker BLOCKING?

Neither a pivot nor a blocker may chase down and block a jammer 20-feet in front of the pack, and may not block if they fall 20-feet behind the pack. Blocking 20-ft. from the pack results in a minor penalty. After 4 minor penalties, the players spend 1 minute in the penalty box.

Courtesy of: www.carolinarollergirls.com

Want More Info?

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