WHAT IS ROLLER DERBY?

Roller derby is a fast, exciting team sport played on quad roller skates. It takes place on a flat, oval track - usually in a sports hall or similar indoor space - and it’s full of speed, teamwork and strategy.

Each team has five players on track at a time: four blockers and one jammer. The jammer is the point-scorer and wears a helmet cover with a star on it, so they’re easy to spot. The pivot rocks the striped helmet cover and a secret mission: block like a pro… until the jammer decides to pass the star, then they can score!

A game is split into two 30-minute halves, which are broken down into short bursts of play called jams. Each jam lasts up to two minutes, but can end sooner if the lead jammer (the first jammer to get through the group of blockers legally) decides to stop it.

During a jam, blockers from both teams skate together in a pack. Their job is to stop the opposing jammer while also helping their own jammer get through. They do this by working together, forming walls and creating space for their teammate to score.

Points are scored when a jammer skates past members of the opposing team. After their first pass through the pack, they earn one point for every opposing player they pass on each scoring lap. Whilst speed is helpful, it's teamwork, awareness, and smart decision making that really make scoring possible.

Like any contact sport, there are rules to keep things safe and fair. Actions like tripping, blocking from behind, using forearms, or hitting above the shoulders can lead to penalties. Penalised players sit out in a penalty box for 30 seconds, which can give the other team a big advantage.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the official rules, you can find them on the WFTDA website. https://rules.wftda.com/.

DERBY JARGON DEMYSTIFIED

Below are some of the derby terms you may hear whilst watching or playing Roller Derby.

If you ever hear a word and think “what on earth does that mean?” - ask! We love talking derby, and helping new people learn is part of the culture.

Player Roles

Jammer – The point scorer. Wears a helmet cover with a star.
Pivot – A blocker who can become the jammer. Wears a stripe.
Blocker – Teammates who play defence and offence in the pack.

Game Basics

Jam – A round of play (up to 2 minutes).
Lead Jammer – First jammer through the pack legally; can end the jam early.
Calling It Off – Lead jammer taps hips to stop the jam.
Initial Pass – Jammer’s first time through the pack (no points).
Scoring Pass – Any later pass where the jammer earns points.

Pack & Skating Terms

The Pack – The main group of blockers skating together.
Wall – Blockers forming a line to stop a jammer.
Bracing – Blockers holding onto each other for strength.
Recycling – Skating back to make an opponent rejoin behind you.
Out of Play – Too far from the pack to engage.
Apex Jump - Where a skater jumps over the curve of the inside line.

Penalties & Rules

Penalty – A rule violation; player sits out for 30 seconds.
Penalty Box – Where penalised players wait.
Power Jam – Only one jammer on track (big scoring chance).
Cut Track – Re-entering the track ahead of someone you passed illegally.
Back Block / High Block / Forearm – Types of illegal contact.
Multiplayer - When blockers link/grasp creating an illegal wall.
Expulsion - When a skater is removed from the game.
Foul Out - When a player reaches 7 penalties.

Officials and Other Roles

NSO - Non-Skating Official.
Jammer Ref - Specifically focused on the jammers.
Outside Pack Ref - Positioned outside the track, these referees monitor the pack from various angles.
Inside Pack Ref - These referees operate within the track's inner boundary.
Bench Coach - Communicates strategy to the team off track.
LUM (Lineup Manager) – Says which jammer and blockers are on the next jam.

BIRMINGHAM