The Basics | Player Positions | Game Time | Audience Rules
The BASICS of FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY
- TWO Teams of FIVE Players each - FOUR defensive players
and ONE jammer.
- JAMMER - point scorer.
- DEFENSIVE Players - THREE blockers and ONE pivot.
- The PACK – The tight skating formation of both teams' defensive players. The jammers must get through the pack.
The JamAt 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 force them out of bounds! Jammers do NOT score points their first time through the pack. They are fighting for Lead Jammer position!
After the first pass, 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 legally 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.”
 | | JAMMER: Helmet – Star. The “speed” skater who scores points by legally passing opponents in-bounds. If the jammer passes a blocker out of bounds, or commits a foul to pass a blocker, she misses the point.
LEAD JAMMER: The first jammer to break through the pack the first time around without stepping out of bounds or commiting a foul while passing an opposing player. Once a Lead Jammer is determined, she may strategically call off the jam by putting both hands on her hips. Normally done once she has scored as many points as she can and before the opposing jammer is able to score more points.
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 | | 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! |
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 | | 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.
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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
- Both jammers are in the penalty box at the same time
- Referees call off due to a major penalty, injury or skate equipment failure
- The period clock continues between jams. Teams have 25 seconds to get into formation for the next jam or risk a “Delay of Game” penalty.
- Timeouts - one-30 second timeout per period 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.
A FAN'S RULES TO KNOW
No Lead Jammer! YIKES!
The first time through the pack, if the jammer passes a blocker out of bounds, there is no lead jammer & 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 at least one of the remaining 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 RULESIt 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 downwardmotion.
- 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 minor penalty. After 4 minor penalties, a major penalty is given, which lands the player in the penalty box for 1 minute.
Fuente: http://www.carolinarollergirls.com/rules.htm
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