Time for a break in my Bench Talks…enough about what I think.
Let’s talk about Roller Derby.
This highly under-publicized and misunderstood sport is poised to roll out on the international sports stage in a big way. Best you appear knowledgeable when it does!
It’s Back to School Time, so here is the first of a series of Pop Quizzes, designed to get you up to speed (so to speak). I’ll take this first answer, then look for some of the officiating pros to answer the next ones.
Q: “It appears that roller derby is sort of like pro wrestling. If everyone is just trying to knock everyone else down, how do they keep score?”
A: Oh, my dears. Look closer. While there is a lot of controlled and highly regulated shoving going on, there is truly a purpose. Think football (although no one carries a ball), and the Quarterback Sneak play.
The Jammer, like the quarterback in football, uses the Blockers on her team to sneak through the lines of the opponent. The first time she is able to do that, she gets an opportunity to speed around the track and do it again in order to score. That’s called “lapping” the opponent and where the scores come from (in a pretty simplistic way).
Of course, it gets a little more complicated because each team has its own Jammer trying to get through. And the blockers on each team are essentially playing Offense and Defense at the same time because everyone is headed in the same direction.
And to add another layer of complication, there are two jammers on each opposing team who can trade off that responsibility to each other during play by changing helmet covers.
But, that’s a good start for the pop quizzes. And it will give you something to think about during football halftime commentary.
For more detail (and to be ready for the next Pop Quiz) visit the official rules site for the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
In the meantime,
SKATE ON!
Darla
