What is roller derby?
The basics
Roller derby is a full-contact, action packed game, played on roller skates, in which two teams compete on an oval track.
A game is made up of a number of individual jams, each lasting up to two minutes.
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Each of the two teams has five skaters onto the track at a time: one player called the ‘jammer’ who wears a star on their helmet; and four ‘blockers’.
Jammers score points by fighting through the opposing team's blockers. The first jammer to pass all blockers and make it to the front of the group is given 'lead jammer' status.
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Both jammers must race around the track, trying to get through the blockers as many times as they can to score points.
Tactics and Strategy
Roller derby is a very tactical game.
There are defensive and offensive tactics, and with that comes a set of rules and strategies that can sound complicated at first!
Like with any sport, not playing by the rules will get you penalties! Roller derby games are overseen and made safe by our officials.
Their job is to look out for players who have done something to warrant a penalty, and send them to the penalty box to sit for a short time.
Penalties
When you hear a referee blow one short blast of a whistle, a player is about to be given a penalty!
Their top colour (or team name) and their skater number will be called, and they will skate to the off-track penalty box to sit for a period of time.
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A trip to the penalty box for a blocker can be a huge opportunity for the other team to score more points. With fewer blockers on track, there aren't as many chances to stop the jammer from passing by.
Getting involved
There are many different ways to get involved in roller derby - you don't even have to hit anyone!
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Play
Become a skater and join us on track!
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Officiate
Learn the rules of the roller derby and help us to run games safely and fairly. Officials can either be on-skates, or off-skates.
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Volunteer
Roller derby is a grassroots sport, and it relies on keen and dedicated people giving their time to help things run smoothly. Game days in particular are a flurry of activity, and as a volunteer you often get to see the game up-close for free!
Learn more about roller derby
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) is the international governing body of women’s flat track roller derby. They set standards for rankings, rules, and competition.
The Men’s Roller Derby Association is a worldwide non-profit network of over 40 open gender roller derby teams.