Rules of Roller Derby
Roller Derby is played on quad-skates. Five skaters from each team are allowed on the track at once. Skaters move in a counter-clockwise direction. Each team has one scoring position, called the jammer. Jammers are designated by a star worn on the helmet and start behind the other skaters. The other four positions on each team are called blockers and make up what is known as the pack. When the initial whistle is blown the pack and the jammers begin to skate. The jammers then try to skate through the pack. Blockers try to keep the jammer from the opposing team from getting through while trying to help their own jammer. The first jammer to get through the pack legally is the lead jammer. The lead jammer can call off the jam at any time by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly. On the second pass through the pack, jammers score a point for legally passing
each member of the opposing team.
Throughout a jam, you may hear a single whistle, indicating a penalty issued to one of the skaters, who will then leave the track and serve her penalty in the penalty box. 2 short whistles indicate lead jammer. 4 short whistles indicate the end of the jam (which can last a maximum of 2 minutes).
To read more about the rules of roller derby and the various penalties incurred, please visit: www.wftda.com/rules, or ask one of our very own skaters at your first bout!
A Guide to Hand Signals
Roller Derby is played on quad-skates. Five skaters from each team are allowed on the track at once. Skaters move in a counter-clockwise direction. Each team has one scoring position, called the jammer. Jammers are designated by a star worn on the helmet and start behind the other skaters. The other four positions on each team are called blockers and make up what is known as the pack. When the initial whistle is blown the pack and the jammers begin to skate. The jammers then try to skate through the pack. Blockers try to keep the jammer from the opposing team from getting through while trying to help their own jammer. The first jammer to get through the pack legally is the lead jammer. The lead jammer can call off the jam at any time by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly. On the second pass through the pack, jammers score a point for legally passing
each member of the opposing team.
Throughout a jam, you may hear a single whistle, indicating a penalty issued to one of the skaters, who will then leave the track and serve her penalty in the penalty box. 2 short whistles indicate lead jammer. 4 short whistles indicate the end of the jam (which can last a maximum of 2 minutes).
To read more about the rules of roller derby and the various penalties incurred, please visit: www.wftda.com/rules, or ask one of our very own skaters at your first bout!
A Guide to Hand Signals
