Derby Breakdown

Continued from Talk Derby to Me

For the novices, press secretary and safety marshal, Amber Hassing aka Ann T. Madder, gives a basic run-down of the game:

• The event is called a “bout”. Each match is called a “jam” and consists of two teams. Each team has three positions: jammer, blocker and pivot.
• The goal of the game is to score as many points for your team by assisting your jammer in breaking through the “pack” or group of skaters.
• To score points, the jammer, who is identified by the star on their helmet, must lap everyone on the opposing team before the clock runs out on the two-minute jam. For each player the jammer passes in the pack, a point is earned and whoever has the most points wins.
• The role of the blockers, who form the derby pack, is to prevent the opposing teams jammer from: Getting through pack, which can be achieved by blocking any openings in the pack or direct physical contact such as a hip-check or shoulder check. Prevent the opposing teams blockers from assisting the opposing jammer by knocking them out of play or assist their own teams jammer through the pack via maneuvers such as the whip-through and creating openings for them to get through the pack and score points.
• The pivot also serves as a blocker and is identified by a center stripe on their helmet. The pivot is stationed at the front of the pack and controls how fast or slow the pack travels and directs their team on moves and strategies to use while in play.

Contact the reporter at janice.vega@asu.edu

Tagged as: arizona roller derby, roller derby