Rules of the Game

Here's a brief overview of how a game of roller derby is played.

Roller derby is a competitive sport. Two teams compete against each other for points.

The basics: Each team sends five skaters onto the track: a jammer, a pivot, and three blockers (see diagram).

The two pivots line up on the starting line with the blockers behind them. The two jammers line up 33 feet behind the starting line. A ref blows the whistle, the pivots and blockers start skating, the whistle blows again, the jammers start skating and the jam is on.

The jammers have to skate through the pack of pivots and blockers, then lap them. Once they lap the pack, they can start scoring points. Jammers score points by passing skaters from the other team. Blockers try to stop the other team’s jammer and get their own jammer through the pack so she can score as many points as possible.

For more detailed rules, visit http://wftda.com/rules.