Below are questions commonly received by players when they explain to a third party that they play a sport called roller derby.
1. “Roller Derby! That’s the sport where you guys beat each other up, right?”
Typical Derby Girl Response:
“Um, not exactly” or “Yeah, come watch,” depending when the next bout is taking place.
Detailed Response:
Roller Derby is a full-contact sport, not unlike football. Hits and falls occur regularly, but all blocking adheres to certain safety rules. For instance, elbowing is not permitted. Neither is kicking, punching, or clotheslining, much to the chagrin of a certain fan base. The contact, however, is no less real. Legal blocks are conducted using the part of the arm from the shoulder to just above the elbow, or the hip down to just above the knee. Any unsportsmanlike conduct or unnecessary roughness is not tolerated and players can be ejected from the game for any actions that endanger other players.
2. “Don’t you get hurt?”
Typical Derby girl response:
“Duh.”
Detailed Response:
Injuries do occur during games and during practices. All skaters are required to be insured by USA Roller Sports in order to play in any games or “bouts,” the common derby term for a game. Serious injuries, however, can be prevented by practicing regularly and working out often in order to strengthen the muscles around the knees, ankles, and spine. EMT’s or other medical professionals are always on site during a game to ensure that every injury is treated properly to avoid further damage.
3. “So what’s the point? How do you win?”
Typical Derby girl response:
“Kill the jammer!”
Detailed Response:
The goal in roller derby is to amass points. To gain points, blockers from each team gather together to form a ‘pack’. The pack will start further forward on the track than the ‘jammers.’ At the sound of the first single whistle, the pack starts. Then after two quick whistle blows, the jammers start. The jammers are the point scorers. Starting with their second lap, the jammers have the opportunity to score a single point for each skater on the other team they pass within track bounds and without penalty. Passing the other team’s jammer as well is called a “grand slam” and earns the jammer a full five points for that lap. There are, of course, several other rules that govern the game, but this is just the basic information on how points are scored on each side.
4. “Do you all skate on that inclined track like they used to?”
Typical Derby girl response:
“No.”
Detailed Response:
No. Flat track roller derby is much less expensive, much easier to set up and just as much fun. There are a handful of bank track teams, mostly on the west coast.
5. “It’s all fake, right?”
Typical Derby girl response:
. . . **dirty glare**
Detailed Response:
Although the roller derby of past generations may staged some elements, today’s roller derby is anything but. At its early inception, in Jacksonville at least, there were some staged fights for crowd entertainment, but the competitive sport itself was always real. Since adopting a more professional approach, there is no aspect of Jacksonville Roller Derby that is staged or fake.
6. “What’s WFTDA?”
Typical Derby girl response:
“Big girl Roller Derby.”
Detailed Response:
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association or WFTDA is kind of like the NFL for roller. They make the rules, they hold the big tournaments, and they’re the ultimate goal for most teams. The Jacksonville RollerGirls have completed their year of WFTDA apprenticeship and will become full members of WFTDA in December, allowing the team to be nationally ranked and recognized. There are only two other roller derby teams in Florida who are WFTDA – Tampa and Tallahassee.
7. “What’s with the outfits?”
Typical Derby girl response:
“You know you like it.”
Detailed Response:
Roller Derby is a social sport where eccentricity and personality are highly valued. All players create their own alter egos by selecting “derby names” that are required to be unique and even registered. Along with that, fun team names and outfits are just entertaining for the crowd and enjoyable for the players. Of course, the short skirts and tights are also practical. They are cool and uninhibiting and prevent something called “rink rash,” which can occur when a girl falls and slides across the rink or skate floor. The resulting effect, without tights or with just fishnets, can be very painful.
8. “Are they all lesbians?”
Typical Derby girl response:
“Are you kidding?”
Detailed Response:
Okay, this one I have a personal vendetta against. Even my own father questioned my sexuality when I had not introduced him to a guy in my life in a few months. Why can’t a group of open-minded, strong women unite for a common cause without being stereotyped? While there are definitely skaters who prefer the same sex, that honestly doesn’t even register with me. We’re there for the sport, not to judge each other’s sexual preference.
9. “How do you get money for uniforms and traveling?”
Typical derby girl response:
“Let’s just say that I don’t go shopping as much as I used to.”
Detailed Response:
Although we hold fundraisers and have a few generous sponsors, the majority of expenses are paid for by the skaters. The Jacksonville RollerGirls are growing rapidly and our crowds have significantly increased at bouts over the past season, enabling the league to pick up some of the cost. (Read this article to learn more about how the Jacksonville RollerGirls raise money to support their costs.)
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