Roller Derby Rules Overview

1. Roller Derby Rules Overview V1.1 21/02/2011

2. Introduction • Modern roller derby is generally played according to WFTDA rules • http://wftda.com/rules • This presentation is only intended as an introduction to the WFTDA rules • The rules can (and do!) get complex • Games tend to throw up lots of odd situations… • Focus here is on core rules players need to know • Not intended to be comprehensive! • Some parts have been deliberately simplified!

3. But I just want to play not read rules! • Do I really need to know the rules? • No... but you’re limiting how good a player you can be, and making it more difficult for you and your team • Huh? How does knowing rules help? • The cleaner you skate, the more choice you have for when you want to deliberately break the rules • Whilst keeping bad effects to a minimum • Less penalties means you’re in the sin bin less • If you’re in the sin bin, the only team you’re helping is the opposition • You can use the rules to your advantage • Tactics, strategy

4. I’m not convinced... • It’s a personal opinion... • Strongly encourage you to try! • At the very least, if you only take three things away from this overview, make it these: • The pack (slides 11 – 13) • Legal target and blocking zones (slide 19) • Cutting the track (slides 35 – 37) • Knowing those three will give you the most bang for your buck when you start out!

5. Core game

6. Overview • A game (“bout”) is two periods of 30 minutes • Each period is made up of a series of jams • The skaters go around the flat, roughly oval, track • In each jam, most of the players from the two teams skate near each other, forming a pack • A jammer from each team tries to keep passing through the pack by lapping the pack • Jammers score points by passing opposing players • Pack players can block to try and stop them • Next jam starts 30 seconds after the last one • Team with the most points wins! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2W2b1WBmm4

7. Team composition • Ten players on the track at once (five per team) • One jammer per team • Wears a helmet cover with large stars on • Only jammers can score points! • One pivot per team • Wears a helmet cover with a stripe on • Pivots often play a leader type role for their team • Three blockers per team • No helmet covers • Pivots can do everything blockers can, but can also receive a star pass • This is an advanced move, and usually pre-planned and well practiced, don’t worry about it for the moment! • For now, think of a pivot as just another blocker WFTDA Rules Sections 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6

8. Boutfits • Quad skates, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet and mouth guard • Must be in good working order • Number must be clearly visible • On back • On both arms (marker pen is fine!) • No loose patches, numbers, etc. • Must not be any safety pins or similar! • Remove or tape up jewelry WFTDA Rules Sections 3.7, 3.8, 3.9

9. Jam line-up • Jammers line up on jammer line • Pivots line up on pivot line • Blockers line up behind pivots • In any order • ‘Behind’ is determined by hips! • The pack is the group of skaters formed by the pivots and blockers • Jammers are not part of the pack • Skaters go round counter-clockwise (CCW) WFTDA Rules Sections 4.2

10. Jam start • The two teams line up for the jam • Referee blows one long whistle blast • Pack sets off • Jammers stay where they are • Any player not on track and in-bounds when the whistle blows must sit out the jam – don’t be late! • Referee waits for pack to cross pivot line • All the pack must cross • Referee then blows two rapid whistle blasts • Jammers set off WFTDA Rules Sections 4.4

11. The pack • Largest group of blockers... • Containing blockers from both teams • Skating in proximity (close together) • What does ‘close together’ mean? • Not more than 10 feet from another pack skater • This is confusing...ok, let’s try an experiment • Think about two skaters, one from each team, that are 10 or less feet apart – this is the pack • Now look for any skaters that are 10 feet or less from those two – these are also in the pack • Repeat this for any skaters that are 10 feet or less from any in the pack • It’s much easier to understand with a picture... WFTDA Rules Section 4.1

12. Defining the pack 5 feet 5 feet • The blue and red circles are the skaters • Blue 1 is not part of the pack • Red 2, 4, 6 and Blue 3, 5 are the pack • Blue 5 is in the pack? • 10 feet or less from another pack skater (blue 3) • Hang on, Red 6 is in the pack? • 10 feet or less from another pack skater (blue 5) 12 feet 3 5 6 1 4 2 WFTDA Rules Section 4.1

13. The pack and being in / out of play • Blockers are in play except when: • They are more than 20 feet from the pack • They are out of bounds • Anything touching outside track boundary is out of bounds • The area 20 feet in front of the pack and 20 feet behind the pack is the Engagement Zone • Blockers not in play are out of play: • May not block opposing jammer or team • Must actively move out of the way of the jammer! • May not assist their jammer or team • Must re-enter the engagement zone • If ahead, must drop back; behind, must catch up WFTDA Rules Section 4.3

14. No pack situations • If the players aren’t forming a pack, a no pack situation has developed • E.g. Three red and one black are in a group at the front; 15 feet behind are three black and one red • When a no pack situation develops… • The refs will shout ‘No pack’ • Must immediately attempt to reform the pack • Failure to attempt to reform will result in a minor penalty to a skater from both team • Sustained failure will result in majors • Blockers are all considered out of play • A skater or team deliberately creating a no pack situation will be given a major penalty

15. Jamming • No points are scored on first pass • Instead determines which jammer is lead jammer • Points are scored on subsequent passes • One point for each opposing player legally passed • Extra point for lapping the opposing jammer • Lead jammer is gained on first pass by: • Not stepping outside the track before getting within 20 feet of the pack • Passing all blockers (both teams!) legally and in-bounds • Being the first jammer to get through the pack • Not getting sent to the penalty box • Minor penalties don’t matter! • So long as you meet the other criteria above… WFTDA Rules Section 3.4, 8

16. Lead jammer • How do I know if I’m lead? • Your jam referee will be pointing at you with one hand, whilst other will be pointed straight up (like an L shape) • Referee will blow two rapid whistle blasts • How long does it last? • That jam only • What does it mean? • Lead jammer can call off the jam by repeatedly placing hands on hips • How is it lost? • By getting a major penalty • Is there always a lead jammer? • No, e.g. if both jammers do illegal passes WFTDA Rules Section 3.4

17. Jam end • Jam ends by either: • Maximum time of two minutes reached • Time starts from first (long) whistle blast • Lead jammer calls jam off • By repeatedly placing hands on hips • Allowed at any time (skating, lying on the ground, out of bounds, etc.) until directed off track (i.e. majored) • Referee blows four rapid whistle blasts • Next jam starts 30 seconds later • If you’re not on track and in-bounds when the next jam starts, you’ll have to sit it out! WFTDA Rules Section 2.4, 3.4

18. Blocking

19. General • Blocking is both positional and contact • Counter-blocking is held to the same standards • Must be in play to block • Must be moving counter-clockwise to block • Don’t have to be facing that way though! • Cannot be stationary to execute a block • Must have at least one skate on the floor • Targets must be standing, stepping or skating • Stationary or moving clockwise targets are ok! • If they counter-block they’ll be penalised WFTDA Rules Section 5

20. Legal target and blocking zones You can hit these areas You can hit with these areas WFTDA Rules Section 5.3

21. Penalties

22. General concepts • Two main types – minor and major • Minors are, well, minor – no advantage was obtained by a team, nor really a safety concern • Majors usually mean an advantage was obtained • A major means 1 minute in the penalty box • The fourth minor on a skater is treated as a major • Initiator of a block is always responsible for the legality of that block • Penalise the bullet not the gun • E.g. Red 1 pushes red 2 into blue 3 – red 2 is penalised • Also expulsions for really serious stuff • Fighting, intentional / negligent / reckless actions, etc. • 7 trips to the penalty box (used to be 5) WFTDA Rules Section 6

23. ‘Position’ • Many penalties make reference to ‘loss of relative position’ • This is when your position in relation to other skaters is lost due to the actions of another skater • E.g. an opponent behind you blocks into you and by doing so gets in front of you • Forced out of bounds is always loss of position • Loss of position isn’t always a penalty! • E.g. legal block that puts you off track

24. ‘Impact’ • Good refs judge certain penalties on the impact it has on the opponent or game • Mainly blocking related penalties • Not every illegal block is a penalty! • Some examples… • Red 6 contacts Blue 2 in the back, Blue 2 doesn’t adjust their stance or is affected in any way • Illegal target zone, but no impact on blue 2 so no penalty • Red 8 has just passed Blue 12 and touches Blue 12 in the chest with trailing arm; Blue 12 isn’t affected in any way • Illegal blocking zone, but no impact so no penalty • Blue 22 blocks into Red 10 with an elbow but bounces off; Red 10 doesn’t move or adjust stance in any way • Illegal blocking zone, but no impact so no penalty

25. How are penalties signalled? • Minors • Referee will call out colour, number and penalty whilst making the appropriate hand signals • E.g. “Red 12 back block” • There is no whistle blast (unless it’s the fourth minor) • Majors • Referee will blow one long whistle blast and then call out colour, number and penalty whilst making the appropriate hand signals • E.g. Whistle then “Red 12 back block major” WFTDA Rules Section 6, 7

26. I’ve been majored! • Go straight to the penalty box • As fast as you can, going counter-clockwise • Must not go clockwise, even if it would be quicker! • Skate outside the track and keep your mouth guard in! • If you take your mouth guard out, you’ll be getting another major! • As fast as I can? • Your 1 minute only starts when you’re sat down in the box! • I’m not sure the ref was calling me, should I just head off? • No! Keep playing if you’re not sure – let the refs worry about getting your attention! If it’s you they meant, they’ll get your attention! • Don’t deliberately ignore them (that’s an insubordination major)! • It’s ok to ask a ref if they meant you when they called a penalty • I’m not sure the ref got it right, am I ok to question the call? • No, go straight to the penalty box – querying it could get you another major! • Note that this is not the same as asking a ref if they meant you • No, really, the stupid ref has it completely wrong! • Go straight to the penalty box! Arguing will probably get you another major! • Only your Captain can confer with the referees... • Probably best to do it after the jam or in a timeout WFTDA Rules Section 6, 7

27. In the box • Remain seated until told you can go • This includes between jams, time-outs, etc. • With 10 seconds to go, you’ll be told to stand • You must stand up when directed • Spells in the box are 1 minute long • Unless you pick up another major on the way to it… • Sometimes, jammers are in for less • Do not remove any equipment (helmet, etc.) • You may take out your mouth guard whilst seated • You may adjust your safety equipment • You may ask how long you have left • If the jam ends, time left carries on into the next jam (and you must skate in it) WFTDA Rules Section 7

28. Leaving the box • Re-enter behind the rear-most pack skater • Out of play skaters don’t matter • What about no pack situations? • Rules aren’t entirely clear on this one… • Some refs read it as you can enter anywhere, others read it as you must enter behind all the skaters • Pretty rare, packs normally quickly re-form • Recommend you enter at behind all skaters • Before entering the track, you may skate clockwise outside the track WFTDA Rules Section 7

29. Back blocking • Hitting to the back in a non-legal target zone • Ok to hit from behind to legal target zones • Minor • Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position • Major • Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position WFTDA Rules Section 6.1

30. Head / above shoulders blocking • You must not hit above shoulders! • Always a major (doesn’t matter what you hit with) • You must not use your head to block with! • Always a major (so long as it’s by mistake) • If you do it deliberately, you’ll be expelled • What about accidental contact? • Minor if you force opponent to lose balance, go forward or sideways, but they don’t lose position • Major in all other cases WFTDA Rules Sections 6.2, 6.6

31. Low blocking (tripping) • Contact below the legal target zones • Includes skates and wheels making contact, but only when outside the ‘normal skating motion’ • Knees are not legal targets! • Contact from downed skaters re-entering the track • Minor • Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position • Major • Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position • Flailing / sprawling skaters that trip opponents • A skating motion that results in habitual contact between skates and wheels (3 times in a bout) • Habitual falling in front of opponents that cases them to lose position (3 times in a bout) WFTDA Rules Section 6.3

32. Use of elbows • Must bend elbow when blocking with arm • Must not swing your elbows into opponents • Minor • Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position • Major • Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position • Hooking an opponent to impede mobility WFTDA Rules Section 6.4

33. Use of forearms and hands • Must not grab, hold or push opponents • Includes following through in a block • Minor • Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position • Touching an opponent for 3 seconds or more • Major • Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position • Grabbing or holding an opponent that results in them being forced down, out of bounds or losing position WFTDA Rules Section 6.5

34. Blocking out of bounds • Initiating a block whilst out of bounds • Out of bounds includes when you’re straddling the track boundary • A skate touching outside the track boundary means you’re out of bounds • Minor • Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position • Continuing a block after you’ve gone out of bounds • Major • Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position WFTDA Rules Section 6.8

35. Direction of play • Must skate counter-clockwise • Stepping counts as skating • It’s about direction, not the way you’re facing • Can’t block, assist or engage if going clockwise • Minor • Blocking whilst stationary or moving clockwise and opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position • Giving an assist whilst stationary or moving clockwise that doesn’t improve position • Major • Blocking whilst stationary or moving clockwise and opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position • Giving an assist whilst stationary or moving clockwise that improves recipient’s position WFTDA Rules Section 6.9

36. Out of play • Leaving the engagement zone • A referee may give you an out of play warning • Minor • Not returning to the engagement zone • Not reforming the pack in a no pack situation • Blocking whilst out of play where the opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position • Out of play assist that doesn’t improve recipient’s position • Major • Not returning to the engagement zone after getting a minor for not returning • Sustained failure to reform the pack • Blocking whilst out of play where the opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position • Out of play assist that improves recipient’s position WFTDA Rules Section 6.10

37. Cutting the track • Let’s keep this simple to start with and only consider skaters completely on the track • i.e. not touching outside the track in any way • Leaving the track and then re-entering in front of a skater in a way that improves your position • Downed, out of bounds or out of play skaters don’t affect your position (they’re not in play) • Still applies in a no pack situation! • Minor • Re-entering in front of one in-play skater (any team) • Major • Re-entering in front of more than one in-play skater (any team) • Re-entering in front of the foremost in-play opposing blocker • Note that they might be in the middle of the pack! WFTDA Rules Section 6.11

38. Cutting the track – after being blocked • If you’ve been blocked out of bounds, you must re-enter behind the skater who blocked you out • Except… • If the initiator has been sent off • If the initiator went out of bounds • A skate touching outside the track is out of bounds! • If the initiator was forced or fell down • Or chose to down themselves (e.g. single knee fall) • If the initiator left the engagement zone WFTDA Rules Section 6.11

39. Cutting the track – straddling skaters • Straddling means you’re touching both inside the track boundary and outside it • Straddling ends when you cease contact with outside the track boundary • You re-enter the track when you cease contact • Normal skating motion is treated as constant contact • Minor • Re-entering in front of one in-play skater (any team) • Major • Re-entering in front of more than one in-play skater (any team) • Re-entering in front of the foremost in-play opposing blocker WFTDA Rules Section 6.11

40. Skating out of bounds • Must remain in-bounds (on the track) • No penalty for • Being forced out by a block • Going out after missing or performing a block • Minor • Skating out of bounds to avoid a block • Skating out of bounds to maintain/increase speed • E.g. cutting the turn apex • Major • Substantially cutting short the lap distance by skating across the in-field • Very rare, getting this takes some doing! WFTDA Rules Section 6.12

41. Illegal procedures • Usually where there’s no specific opponent • Minor • False starts where the player yields • Trying to call off the jam when not lead jammer • Re-entering the track in front of one pack skater • Leaving the penalty box during time-outs, etc. • Major • False start and not yielding • Re-entering the track in front of 2+ pack skaters • Removing safety equipment (e.g. mouth guard) • Improper uniform, jewelry or skates WFTDA Rules Section 6.13

42. Insubordination • “Wilfully failing to comply with a referee” • Rules only give one example… • “Wilfully failing to leave the track for a penalty” • But specifically state it is not limited to just this... • Always a major • Expulsions for “deliberate and excessive insubordination” to a referee • Some referees have an itchy insubordination finger and will use it whenever they can… • Querying a penalty can get you this… WFTDA Rules Section 6.14

43. Misconduct • Making contact whilst in the air • Blocking a downed opponent • “The use of obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at an official, mascot or audience member” • Don’t swear or gesture at the refs or NSOs! • If a ref penalises you for this and you keep on going at them, there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a second misconduct – and for that you might also be expelled for excessive abuse • “Excessive use of obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at an opposing skater, manager or coach” • Don’t repeatedly swear or gesture at opponents! • Always a major • Like insubordination, some refs are misconduct-happy WFTDA Rules Section 6.15