STOKE CITY ROLLERS

Roller Derby

What is Roller Derby?

Roller derby is a fast-paced full-contact sport played on quad skates on an oval track by two teams. Each team fields a jammer and blockers. The jammer scores by legally passing opponents while blockers use legal contact and positional play to help their own jammer and stop the opposition.

A game is played over two 30-minute periods, divided into short jams. Strategy, teamwork, skating skill and controlled contact all matter.

Quick basics

  • A game is two 30-minute periods.
  • Jams last up to two minutes.
  • Teams field a jammer and up to four blockers.
  • The jammer scores points by passing opposing skaters legally.
  • Blockers work together to stop the opposing jammer and help their own jammer through the pack.
  • Penalties can send skaters to the penalty box and create power-jam situations.
Roller Derby Basics infographic showing the oval track, jammer, blocker and pivot roles, jam start, first and second scoring passes, and key officiating signals.
Roller Derby Basics infographic — source artwork © 2018 Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Click or tap the image to enlarge.

Derby jargon

  • Bout: a game.
  • Jam: a scoring period of up to two minutes.
  • Jammer: the point-scoring skater, identified by a star helmet cover.
  • Lead Jammer: the jammer who earns the right to call off the jam.
  • Pivot: a blocker wearing the stripe who can become the jammer in specific circumstances.
  • Blocker: a skater working in the pack to defend and create offence.
  • Pack: the defined group of blockers on track.
  • NSO: Non-Skating Official.