WFTDA recommends Fox 40 whistles for referees. These are special whistles that don’t have any little balls in them so you get a crisp, clear note. This prevents referees and skaters from mistaking the warble in conventional whistles for the 4-short blasts ending the jam. The Fox whistles are also louder than conventional whistles, important at loud bouts. Fox now makes a Sonic model that’s even louder. (Hard to imagine, I know!)
Being able to hear whistles clearly during bouts is important. However, I often leave scrimmages with my ears ringing until the next morning. It’s bad enough that I avoid “echoing” end of jam signals, which is technically against official operating procedures. (Echoing is when the refs repeat the 4 whistle blasts that ended the jam to ensure all skaters heard it.) The ringing is especially bad on nights when I’m acting as a jam ref because I have to blow my own whistle a lot or when I’m the front inside pack ref because I stand next to the jam timer at the start of the jam. I’m pretty sure going home with ringing ears a couple times a week is not good for my hearing.
The simple answer is to wear ear plugs. I’ve tried this, and it does work. Unfortunately, it works too well. I can’t hear the NSO’s or my fellow refs talking to me. I’ve even tried special ear plugs that supposedly only cut out high frequencies. You probably don’t notice–and definitely can’t hear at a bout–that referees talk to each other a lot. For example, pack refs suggest minor penalties on jammers to the jam refs when their view is blocked, pack refs double check what they saw with each other before calling penalties, and there’s a constant dialog to capture penalties with the NSO’s. Jam refs have to talk to each other a lot to convey lap points and lead jammer status. I miss too much information to be effective as a ref when wearing ear plugs.
Have any other refs out there or people with loud hobbies where communication is still important found a solution to this problem? My ears will thank you!
Sometimes you can’t beat the basics. A great exercise that concentrates on the upper body is the PUSHUP.
- Lie flat on the floor with your hands slightly wider than shoulder width. Raise your body up off the floor by extending your arms. BODY STRAIGHT. ABDOMINALS TIGHT.
- Keeping your body straight, lower your body to the floor by bending your arms. Push your body up until your arms are extended. Repeat.
BUTT DOWN! Watch a pushup video here.
Too easy for you? Then how about adding a twist and doing an INCLINE PUSHUP.
- Stand facing bench or sturdy elevated platform. Place hands on edge of bench or platform, slightly wider than shoulder width
- Position forefoot back from bench or platform with arms and body straight. Arms should be perpendicular to body.
- Keeping body straight, lower chest to edge of box or platform by bending arms. Push body up until arms are extended. Repeat.
Watch an incline pushup video here.
These and other exercises come from the website EXRX.net. This site breaks down each exercise by muscle group; body part; exercise. Whether you are using weights; cables; your own body weight; etc. It’s a great tool and the video demonstrations are very helpful and shows you how to actually DO the exercise.
Yes, I am a blogging slacker. I have 50% of a post all about names (choosing, wishing, disappointment and real ones) for you to read… if I ever finish it. I did research, but you know what? It turned into work, so I set it aside.
I also have become super busy with… well… skating!
Training for an A-team is hard work and requires a lot of time. In the past, I had more time to spend on other things… this year is different. Why? I want more.
How about we talk about track psychology, and getting out of your own head?
 “I cannot believe I did that. That was so bad/dumb/awful.”
“Wow, I looked horrible out there.”
“I was useless, why am I even here?”
“I cannot do it, I will never get it.”
Everyone has this happen at one time or another, of that I am sure. I find it truly hard to believe anyone goes through a sports career (pro or other) thinking “I am the greatest ever and everything I do is wonderful.” Anyone who thinks like that may have mental deficiency and is probably a true-to-life-diagnosable narcissist.
So, how do I or you or anyone get over this? What should we do to get around this mental block?
 Photo By Jules Doyle Well, I can tell you, right now I am experiencing just that. I am in my head going over all the things I did wrong and everything that went wrong that caused a wrong action and caused me to fall out of a drill. Every time I close my eyes, I feel the pain, I see the fall from the outside, I see myself clumsily struggle to regain my feet.
So, what am I not seeing?
I am not seeing that regardless of the pain I felt, I got back up. And I pushed, and I tried, and I tried, and I tried. Eventually, physical pain will get the better of anyone, though.
And now, I am working on getting over this.
Step One:
Stop beating yourself up. Seriously! We can keep saying how we did something wrong, and how bad it is, and it will never get better. As soon as we stop seeing what went wrong, we can see what went right.
My example from the practice: I spoke to coaches, we found the problem, and this week we are fixing my skates to get rid of the pain I have had for a while.
Step Two:
Forgive yourself. We all make mistakes, we all will mess up at some time. And now, it is time to say “Hey, I messed up, and now I need to move on. Sorry self. I forgive you, self” (Yes, sometimes I talk to myself like that)
Step Three:
Visualize what you did right. Yes! You did something right before or after you did something that set you back mentally.
Step Four (The Final Step and the Hardest Step):
Change the way you think. From now on, instead of saying “Oh, I did that wrong!” say “Next time I will do it better, and I will master it.”
The hardest thing to stop saying is “can’t”. Well, as soon as you do, you will see you can. I am doing this right now. By typing out this post, I am thinking “Next week, next Sunday… I am going to do this drill, I will not fuck it up, and I will skate harder and faster. Because I already know I can.”
I recommend now, for any new athlete or seasoned players, a book. It is called The Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence. If you have read it already, read it again. If you have never heard of it until now, pick it up.
This book is not about how to train, it is about how to think. And really, these are lessons you can take with you anywhere and use any time.
Some other day, I may present you with a post about Names and the fun (and sometimes horror) of choosing one for Derby. And, I may come back to the Psychology of Sports, as it is something that fascinates me. For now… take these simple steps, and see where they take you.
I’M A MELTDOWN! I’M A MELTDOWN! I’M A MELTDOWN! DID A MENTION THAT I’M A MELTDOWN?! I’m proud to be one of the newest skaters of the NHRD Seabrook Meltdowns. The first bout that I went to see was actually a Meltdown bout. I watched the team like a hawk. Maneuvering around their opponents, communicating to one another and just working as a team. I even said to myself “I could never be on that team. I’m not that good at skating”. After a lot of work and dedication, I did! I am a official skater for New Hampshire Roller Derby. Not only that, I’M A SEABROOK MELTDOWN!
 It all started with when I took part as a NHRD NSO. After not making the cut back in January 2011, I still wanted to be a part of this amazing league. Woody Yankabitch, one of NHRD’s finest refs, was the one that approached me about taking advantage of this opportunity. I NSOed for a year and had a blast! I learned about penalties, score keeping, and even gained a bit knowledge about how the game is played. I was able to attend all practices too. There I skated on the outside of the track being a little fan girl. I watched and admired every single woman out on that track. Being able to get skating time in, I was able to build my confidence little by little. I just kept telling myself that will be me next year, I can do it!
After a season of NSOing, it was time for FRESHMEAT BOOTCAMP AND TRAINING! I feel that I had an advantage in freshmeat bootcamp. In bootcamp, we focused on basic skating skills. We covered all level 1 skills and were even shown some level 2 skills that night. I was introduced to all this when I tried out last year. I kept all those skills in my regular skating routines. Whenever I attended league/team practices as a NSO, I was on the side lines practicing the skills that I learned back in the 2011 tryouts. Now, freshmeat training.. that’s a different story. Captains and trainers from different teams crammed in as much training as they could into 2 months. It was intense but I loved it. Some practices came easier to me and some were personally tough. All in all partaking in both bootcamp and training were extremely beneficial for my skating career.
 A year has come and gone and look at me now! I have NSOing under my belt. I was able to drink in new skating skills, and a few beers. I joined in on 2012 tryouts and MADE IT! This will be my rookie year as a Seabrook Meltdown for NHRD. I still have a lot ahead of me, a lot to learn and a lot to accomplish. I’m super excited for this year and I’m ready for every challenge coming my way. Oh yeah, did you hear the great news?! I’M A MELTDOWN!
NHRD is proud to announce the results of the 2012 home and travel team draft. The league is home to two travel teams and three home teams. The Skate Free or Die All-Stars compete regionally in sanctioned Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) play while the Queen City Cherry Bombs compete in non-sanctioned local play. Our three home teams, the Granite Skate Troopers, Nightmares on Elm Street, and Seabrook Meltdowns, compete against each other in intraleague play for the annual Kennedy Cup (or “K-Cup”) Championship.
(T) = Transfer (R) = Rookie (A) = Alternate
2012 Skate Free or Die All-Stars
Coaches: Anita BangHer, Carroll Huss
Chicana Bruzya, #3333
Chicka Chicka Bam Bam, #26
Emma Donnelly, #9 (T)
Ethel Lynn Oxide, #800
Hobeo Peep, #B33R
Irate Pirate, #10
JPoww, #DTS1
Liv N. Fear, #1212
M-Eighty HD, #B00M
Madame Scurrie, #1911
McKilla Queen, #G6
Melanie M. Falcon, #12
Moxie Moonwalk, #J5
N. Raging Grace, #341
Seema Littleoff, #99
Tank’d Girl, #550 |
2012 Queen City Cherry Bombs
Coach: Jeff “The Coach” Russo
Bette Thistlehurt, #623
Chuck NU Around, #4804
Clawed Monet, #1874 (T)
Crueliette Lewis, #207
Lisbeth Slamintoher, #9277
Maxine Kerosene, #428
Miss Chiff N. Mayhem, #821
Pixie Bruiser, #14
Prissassin, #MI6
Roxie Roll’n, #2D
Seriously Slam’n, #25
Sioux A. Cyde, #SK8
Techno Destructo, #987
Trina Trioxin, #245
Wynonna Thudd, #56 |
2012 Granite Skate Troopers
Atari Joykick, #2600
Chuck NU Around, #4804
Clawed Monet, #1874 (T)
Crueliette Lewis, #207
Crushin’ Louboutin, #107
Gil T. Conscience, #5
Hoebo Peep, #B33R
Ivanna B. Vicious, #50
Lisbeth Slamintoher, #9277
MissTres Manda, #333 (T)
N. Raging Grace, #341
Pixie Bruiser, #14
PutUNya Grave, #74
Seema Littleoff, #99
Seriously Slam’n, #25
Slay D. Bug, #68 (A)
Zebra: Warrior Princess, #134 (A) |
2012 Nightmares on Elm Street
Arrow Dynamic, #4
Bobbi Gore, #1972 (R)
Chicana Bruzya, #3333
Dirty Kat Box, #409
Duchess of Destruction, #911
JC Superscar, #1925 (R)
Kim KarBASHyouin, #36DD
Liv N. Fear, #1212
The Makeout Bandit, #X0X0
Maxine Kerosene, #428
M-Eighty HD, #B00M
Miss Chiff N. Mayhem, #821
Pegasister, #137
Roxie Roll’n, #2D
Sinister StingHer, #11
Sioux A. Cyde, #SK8
Slam I. Am, #1010 |
2012 Seabrook Meltdowns
Anjaina Heartbeat, #FA5T (R)
Bette Thistlehurt, #623
Cee N. Spots, #21 (R)
Ethel Lynn Oxide, #800
Game Ovaries, #PM5 (R)
Jager-Raider, #70
JPoww, #DTS1
Kara T. Chop, #1
McKilla Queen, #G6
Mimi, #1127 (R)
Moxie Moonwalk, #J5 (A)
Plasmatic Kitty, #43K (R)
Prissassin, #MI6
Slashya Fierce, #808 (A)
Techno Destructo, #987
Trina Trioxin, #245
Wynonna Thudd, #56
Zom B. Hunt-her, #42 (R) |
Please congratulate the skaters on this year’s placement!
I have a five-year-old daughter. I’ll call her Neo. Her definition of a grown-up is someone who can eat candy for breakfast if they want. Based on this definition, she knows she is not a grown-up.
The other week we had an incident at practice where we discovered we were out of instant ice packs in the first aid kit. I couldn’t ref at the next practice because my husband is taking a class at night, but I decided to take Neo to buy some ice packs to replenish the kit and bring them to practice. Neo bounced up and down at the check-out line telling the clerk, “We’re buying ice packs for Mommy’s derby girls! Sometimes they get hurt, so she’s buying them ice packs! They’re her derby girls!”
Other than amusing the clerk, it made me think, my derby girls? Then it struck me that Neo’s other definition of grown-ups: They can tell kids what to do. I’ve told her in the past that referees make sure everyone follows the rules. As far as Neo is concerned, derby girls are big kids on skates being supervised by grown-ups in black and white shirts. It’s just a taller, faster version of pre-school.
Once we got to practice, I let Neo sit and watch the girls do some rule scenarios while I put the ice packs away. Seeing the disarray of our medical supplies, I got absorbed in chucking empty packages and expired medications, and repacking things more efficiently. Neo watched the players intently. My previous hypothesis on her views were confirmed. She crept up to me and whispered, “Mommy! One of the derby girls said a bad word!”
“What did she say?”
“She said STUPID! Are you going to put her in the box for a time-out?”
“No, she wasn’t calling another person stupid. She was calling a problem with a rule stupid.”
“Oh.” Neo wandered back to watch the skaters do drills, more impressed. Apparently, to a five-year-old, derby girls are bad ass because they can say a bad word without going to the box!
Hoebo Peep * #B33R * Skate Free or Die All-Stars & Granite Skate Troopers
Ghost hunting… talk to me! I’ve began ghost hunting in 2007 with high school friends. One night we hid in the woods behind Gilson Cemetery in Nashua and scared strangers who visited the cemetery. One of the strangers that night was Rachel Arnold who is now my best friend and founder of Paranormal Activity Research Team of New Hampshire (PART-NH for short) I joined PART-NH in 2008 and have been ghost hunting with this group ever since. We have been all over New England, and have had some PRETTY freaky experiences. Ask and I shall tell! We go with whoever is interested in coming. Check us out! We always welcome new comers!
As many of our ladies are, you are quite talented. A singer/guitarist I’m told, who performs regularly. Where do you perform? How long have you been singing? What kind of stuff do you do? Please elaborate. (And can we come and see you and cheer you on?) I’ve been playing guitar and singing for a few years now. All self taught. I picked both up towards the end of high school and into the beginning of college. I have also been playing drums since the age of 12. There is a smorgasbord of instruments just hanging about the house. My friends and family make the joke, “Chances are you, if you ask her to play it, SHE CAN!” My friend Rachel and I perform twice a week. On Sunday evenings after open skate we play in Nashua, at Penuche’s. Also, on Tuesday evenings after practice we play at Stumble Inn, which is located in North Londonderry. On Friday nights you can find us at my house with our friends playing music and doing karaoke. COME ON OVER! Every once in a great while we play at the Hudson V.F.W. just for fun. Everyone is ALWAYS welcome to watch and/or join in! We do ALL kinds of music. The Sky is the limit in our eyes. Tell us what you wanna hear, and we’ll play it!
My stealthy Ninja… you have mad skills… so awesome in fact that the Queen City Cherry Bombs awarded you the “Crouching Blocker, Hidden Jammer” award. CONGRATS! A lot of people have praised you very highly. ”Excelled” is a word often used. ”Works her ass off” another common phrase. If you don’t mind, talk about this awesomeness. My true inspiration for skating was my mother. She was an artistic skater as a child, and she LOVED it. When I was four she began to teach me, and I couldn’t stay away from it! Eventually I traded my Little Mermaid quads in for roller blades! Once middle school hit, I became completely addicted to aggressive inline skating. This continued until I was 23 when I found DERBY. Or Derby found me, I should say. Just a little different than what i was used to  . “Works her ass off”, right… YES! You could say I beat myself up until I get it right! I am very honored to receive such an award and I’m grateful to all of the lovely NHRD girls who have helped me improve my derby skills. None of my accomplishments this past season could have been possible without them by my side.
Derby girls have a very “rough and tough” persona, but we are a lot deeper than that. Some things I’ve heard about you are: Family oriented. Very close to your mom; she got you interested in derby (and might even tryout for NHRD someday!) Not conceited or judgmental. All that and a home health care worker by day too! These are amazing qualities in a person. Your family must be proud of you. You betcha I’m family oriented! My Mum will definitely be a part of the league! Her goal is to be a member of the Ref Crew one day soon! I found out about derby however, from Helen Carnate! I saw her skating at an open skate one Sunday. A friend back home told me about the league, so I approached her with questions about derby and it took off from there! I owe Helen my world for introducing me to NHRD! I am probably the least judgmental person you’ll ever meet. I see potential in every person. There is just no reason not to.
You’re a kickass force to be reckoned with on the track, and a loving, caring soul to the outside world. How do you keep it all in balance? And when do you have time to ghost hunt and perform? There are only so many hours in the day! I function best when kept busy! I’m always on the go and have become great at managing my time…on most occasions . I don’t know how I still don’t own a calendar. I work early mornings, then have practice. The nights I’m not performing after practice, I go ghost hunting (weather permitting). The few hours I have during the week not devoted to this, you can find me volunteering my time at the Hudson V.F.W. with my mum, working out, painting, or what have you. I’ve been doing so much for so long it feels weird when I actually have a day to sit and veg. So weird, I usually get up and find something to do. Being active is very important to me. It keeps me happy and healthy!
You obviously have an interest in fashion, as you are quite the trendsetter. Is that just a hobby, or something you considered pursuing on a professional level? Or does that part of you go along with the performer in you? Trendsetter you say?! I do have a very big interest in fashion and I have considered pursuing it on a professional level. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the time as of right now. I do manage to find the time to sketch and design clothing. I am also very interested in hair and makeup as well. High fashion is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. It’s a passion I hope to pursue one day.
I’m exhausted just talking to you Hoebo… or is it Peep?! You are not only an asset to NHRD, you are an asset to everyone who comes in contact with you!
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