Roller Derby 101

All bouts that the IEDD participate in are governed by the rules set by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) which can be found by clicking here.

The Lineup:
Two teams consisting of 5 skaters each compete at the same time to score points.
Each team has one pivot, three blockers, and one jammer.
A striped helmet cover is worn by the pivot. A helmet cover with a star on both sides is worn by the jammer. Blockers do not have covers on their helmets.

Skater Positions:
Pivot - Skates in the front of the pack, controls pack speed and serves as a last line of defense against the opposing jammer. If jammer passes the helmet cover to her, the pivot can become the jammer.
Blockers – work together with the pivot to assist their jammer through the pack. As well as stopping the opposing jammer from passing.
Jammer – the only player that can score a point. Jammers skate through the pack and must lap the pack before she can begin to score points. One point is earned for each skater on the opposing team she passes.

The Bouts:
Each bout is sixty minutes long consisting of three periods of 20 minutes, or two periods of 30 minutes. The period is made up of jams, which can last up to two minutes each. After each jam, the teams have thirty seconds to line up for the next jam. If a skater is not lined up by the time the whistle is blown, her team must skate short.

Whistle Blasts:
One long whistle blast starts the jam and signals the pack to start skating.
Two short whistle blasts signal the jammers to start.
Four whistle blasts signal the end of the jam. This occurs at the end of a two minute bout or if the lead jammer calls off the jam.

The lead jammer is the first jammer to get through the pack. Referees will use one short signal blast and point to the lead jammer when it has been established. The lead jammer may call off the jam at anytime once lead jammer status has been earned.

Illegal maneuvers to watch for:
 

* Grabbing or use of hands
* Blocking with forearms
* Tripping, kicking, or blocking with feet/legs
* Pushing, shoving, punching or holding
* Swinging or jabbing elbows
* Blocking with the head
* Blocking a jammer while twenty feet ahead or behind the pack
* Hitting from behind