Derby Explained
Overview
What You Should Know
- There are two 30 minute periods and one 15 minute intermission in each bout.
- There is not a specific amount of jams in each period. Jams can last up to two minutes but as Jams can be called off early, they keep adding up.
- We are rough chicks, but it’s illegal to:
- Hit anywhere above the shoulders
- Hit an opposing player in the back or backside of the body
- Trip or block an opposing player with your feet
- Using your elbows in an upwards, downwards, or outwards manner from your body to hit an opposing skater
- Grab, hold, or pull and opposing player
The Jam
The pack lines up at the Pivot Line. When the 1st whistle blows the pack takes off. Your team wants the front. After the entire pack crosses the pivot line the ref’s do two quick whistle blows signaling the jammers to take off. Each Jammer wants to be the 1st one though so they can have Lead Jammer status.
Once the Jammer makes a clean pass around the pack and completes another lap, she can then lap other players to earn points. Each opposing player is worth one point. A Grand Slam is earned when the Lead Jammer passes the entire pack and the opposing jammer earning 5 points.
Each Jam can last up to 2 minutes. A jam can be called off early if the lead jammer repeatedly slaps her hands to her hips.
Who’s On The Track?
The Pack – 3 Blockers from each team as well as 1 Pivot from each team.
Jammers – One jammer from each team
What They Do?
Pivot – indicated by a striped helmet cover. She is “The Communicator.” She will call out plays and let other teammates know what to do. She can also do a “Pass the Star” and become the Jammer. In this case, the Jammer will switch helmet covers with the pivot.
Jammer – indicated by a star helmet cover. She scores points by lapping the other team’s players. In order to score points, she must legally pass them. Legal passes are when a blocker is in-bounds and the jammer does not commit a penalty while trying to pass.
Lead Jammer is the jammer who breaks through the pack first, legally. Only the Lead Jammer can call off the jam before the 2 minutes is up.
Blockers – 3 remaining members of the pack. They will block the opposing jammer from getting through and also make openings for their jammer to get through.
For a complete description of derby rules please visit WFTDA’s Derby Rules page