Yup that’s right, Roller Derby right here in the Star City.
It has actually been here for awhile but I’ve not been in the right place or it hasn’t been the right time or did not have the chance because of one thing or another to go see it before.
Then about a week ago I see an ad, Roller Derby Sunday 2/20/2011 and I think hells to the yeah I’m going to be there. So I say to stunt boy, hey there is a roller derby thing this weekend we are going.
He says, I don’t want to go.
I say, What? I mean really what is not to like about girls beating on each other while on roller skates.
He says, You have a point but I don’t want to go.
I just stand there confused because I opened with the trump card and he didn’t bite.
Then several hours later that night Doodle comes over and she is hanging out with us for a bit.
I say, Hey Doodle what do you think about going to see Roller Derby this weekend?
She says, hell yeah what is not to like about girls beating each other up on roller skates
I say, That is how I tried to sell it to your brother but he said no.
She just shook her head and says, oh well his loss. Then says, I’ll let you know if I’m off from work and if I am I’ll go with you.
This was all several days before Roller Derby Day.
Then it’s Roller Derby Day and time to pick up Doodle.
She comes out to the car and she says, I just couldn’t decide what to wear to Roller Derby.
I say, yeah me too I didn’t want to do the whole poser thing but didn’t want to look out of place.
She says, exactly.
Well we get there and it’s low budget fun. Not a lot to get in, a simple cash draw set up with some hand put together programs and a real like Roller Derby Girl selling tickets. I’m excited.
We go in, get our seats on indoor bleachers which I think are just for the Derby.
I start reading the program which has the rules of flat track roller derby. When I finish the rules in the program, I’m left with the thought … I have no idea what is supposed to happen.
We watch as the track is measured and marked and there are skaters warming up and it’s all very confusing. We are trying to figure it out Doodle reads the rules too. She says I’m not sure either. So we look at each other shrug and hope it gets exciting.
Then the guy with the mic says there is no fighting.
We double take, Wait, what? The guy with the mic continues, saying Fighting results not only in being out of the Bout but ejection from the site as well.
Well, seems the rumored selling point may be a bit of false advertising.
But it does make sense as fighting on skates could be dangerous but pushing, blocking, hip checks, and other stuff like that is allowed.
So I’m confused, Doodle is confused and it appears that a lot of the people around us are confused.
Then the guy with the mic says who is a Roller Derby Virgin.
Lots of hands go up. So no one really knows what is going on. That’s good.
So he does some ‘splainin’ about Roller Derby
Everyone is still sort of looking like, Ok if you say so. You have the mic and we don’t have a knowledge base to argue with what you are telling us.
Shortly later the bout starts and then I see this thing happened and then that thing happen. And I’m getting it. I think I understand Roller Derby I have a count in my head, I think that both teams have scored points and the Roanoke team is behind following Jam number one.
I’m right. OH yeah I understand how Roller Derby is played. A few more jams later I am into it. I’m able to keep a close count on the score and thinking this is so cool. Doodle says she likes it too.
So if you too are a Roller Derby Virgin I’ll ‘splain the best I can.
A game is called a Bout.
Two teams play in a Bout
Each Teams have five players on the track at a time: four blocker and a jammer.
A Bout is two halves of 30 minutes
A half is played in 2 minute segments called Jams
So far so good.
A Jam may last 2 minutes or not.
Yeah this is where is gets confusing. But I’ll try to clear it up.
A Jam starts with a whistle. At this whistle the blockers are the only players who can move at this point. Once all 8 blockers pass the blocker line. The two Jammers are released with a second whistle.
Now both the Jammers try to pass all 8 blockers. Collectively during a Jam the blockers are called a Pack The Pack must say with in a twenty foot area in front and back of the largest group of blockers.
The first Jammer to pass all 8 members of the Pack is the Lead Jammer and may now score points and stop the Jam at any point during the 2 minutes. Once the other Jammer passes the Pack she may score too but may not stop the Jam.
In a Jam once established the lead Jammer doesn’t change.
Scoring happens when the Jammer who has cleared the pack than starts to pass the opposing team member in the Pack. One point per player passed.
The lead Jammer can stop the Jam at any time even without scoring points or let the two minute clock run down.
If you are confused no worries you are not alone. I think everyone is until you see it happen. Then it clicks and it’s exciting.
A few more things
The Jammers wear helmet covers with Stars on them and the lead blocker has a cover with a stripe.
The lead blocker basically attempts to set the pace of the pack..
That is the basics there are a lot more rules, Four Officials, a penalty box, suicide seating, Flat Track or Slanted Track Roller Derby. If you have seen the movie “Whip It.” That is Slanted Track Roller Derby. Your local area skating center is flat track. The team here plays on a flat track.
If you are local to the ‘noke then the team here is the Star City Roller Girls, they are on face book or on the web at Star City Roller Girls
I’m going next month are you?
In other news
Random stuff.
Wow, didn’t expect that
Man I really wish I was there
I’m not sure what the heck was going on.
That’s all for now, other stuff tomorrow
Happy Birthday if it’s your birthday and a very merry un birthday if it isn’t your birthday
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Have a great day and play nice in the neighborhood.
Ciao,
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Gamer Tag: invisible don
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