What is roller derby?

Roller derby dictionary

BOUT: A game of roller derby consisting of two 30-minute periods.

JAMMER: Scores points - wears a star on each side of their helmet.

BLOCKER: Assists their jammer in breaking through the pack while preventing the opposing jammer in doing the same.

PIVOT: Can obtain jammer status through a star-pass, where the jammer passes on their helmet cover - wears a stripe across their helmet.

JAM: The ’rounds’ of the bout. Each jam can last up to 2 minutes, but can be called off earlier by the lead jammer (see below).

PACK : The largest group of blockers from both teams within 3 m. of each other.

LEAD JAMMER: The lead jammer can call off the jam early, which allows them to score points and then call off the jam before their opponent has the chance to score. They do so by tapping their hips with both hands

Gameplay

Each bout is played between two teams of five players - one jammer and four blockers, one of which may act as pivot. Each bout is broken down into jams of up to two minutes. The pack is made up of pivots and blockers. At the start of the jam, the pack lines up along the straight-away of the track with the jammers positioned behind them at the jammer line. A jam starts with a single whistle. The pack will start skating, and the jammers will come sprinting through the pack. The first jammer to move through the pack becomes the lead jammer. They score a point for each opposing player they pass after they have broken through the pack. The end of a jam is marked by four short whistles. A new jam can begin, and the players’ positions are reset. Blocking consists mostly of slowing down or containing opponents by breaking in front of them. Blockers may hit opponents with their shoulders, hips, and torso. It’s illegal to use forearms, elbows, hands, and head. Skaters who block illegally or otherwise break the rules will face penalties, including everything from 30 seconds in the penalty box to, in severe cases, a complete expulsion from the bout.