The RULES of Modern Roller Derby:  Just the Basics

What IS roller derby, anyway?  Today’s roller derby is a far cry from the big hits and theatrics of derby from the 70’s.  The athletic training is real, and the game is not staged.  Most teams are even moving away from the tutus and flashy “boutfits” that were popular when roller derby first made a comeback in the early 2000s.  Modern roller derby and CGRD focus on:  COMPETITION, STRATEGY, ATHLETICISM, and SPORTSMANSHIP.

ROLLER DERBY BASICS
–Like football, games  (formerly called “bouts”) are made up of series of plays called “jams”.  Jams typically begin with 4 blockers and 1 jammer from each team on the track.
–Jammers wear stars on their helmets and start behind the “jam line.”  Blockers start in front of the jam line.
–At the whistle, jammers fight through the “pack” of opposing blockers. 
–The first jammer to legally fight through the “pack” of blockers gets the coveted “lead jammer” status. 
–Both jammers continue to race around the track in an attempt to lap the pack.  For each blocker passed on subsequent passes through the pack, the jammer earns one point.
–The lead jammer can call off the jam at any time by tapping her hips.  Otherwise, a jam ends after 2 minutes. 

Ultimate goal:  GET YOUR JAMMER THROUGH, KEEP THEIR JAMMER BACK!