[This is the next part of my "Roller Derby 101: the Basics" series. We've already covered Blocking here, and the one rule everyone loves to hate, Tripping here.]
JAMMING:
The jammers are the skaters who score all the points. Distinguished by the star on their helmet. The jammer attempts to make it past the opposing blockers as quickly, and cleanly, as possible. Speed is essential as the first jammer to make it through is awarded lead jammer status. Cleanliness is important since committing fouls will make a jammer ineligible for lead jammer, and also invalidate points scored (on subsequent passes).
The jammer is, to continue Blocking 101's football analogy, roller derby's running back. As with the running back, a jammer spends the entire jam skating at full tilt, dodging/absorbing blows, and figuring out the cleanest line through the pack. All while under the considerable pressure of knowing that the gaze of nearly every spectator in the arena is resting on them.
The jammers' primary duty is scoring points. A jammer gets one point for each opponent she overtakes on all subsequent passes through the pack after the first. (Which, of course, is used to determine the soon to be discussed lead jammer.) Passing the team's jammer, and/or blockers in the penalty box, also count towards the point total. Passes made that violate any rules however, do not.
Lead jammer is a title that allows the jammer to control the length of the jam. She's able to end the jam ("call" it) whenever she likes, an ability that, when used correctly, has considerable strategic importance.
Lead jammer can't make it through the pack? She can call it off before her opponent makes it through. Her opponent manages to pass her? She can waste her opponent's energy by allowing them to race towards the pack, only to call it upon arrival.
If, during the course of a jam, the lead jammer is sent to the penalty box, or neither jammer makes it through the pack cleanly, we have a "no lead jammer" jam. A rarity, this will often be the only time you'll see a jam go the full two minutes in roller derby.
Now if one jammer goes to the penalty box, we have a power jam. Significant because now only one team has the opportunity to score. This is generally the most major, game-changing event to be found in a bout. Where leads change and bouts are decided.
As with blocking, jamming also has specific, positional plays that you'll occasionally see. "Poodling," passing the star, and others that you probably shouldn't worry about until you understand the basics; if you even notice them in the first place.
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