Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams on roller skates in which offense and defense are played simultaneously. Each team consists of five players: one jammer and four blockers. One blocker can also be the pivot; a blocker that is capable of being passed the role of a jammer during a play. All players skate in a counter-clockwise direction around a track. During a “jam” the jammer passes players of the opposing team in order to score points, while the blockers form a pack and prevent the opposing team’s jammer from passing. There are usually up to eight referees, that all participate on skates as well. These roles consist of one head referee, two jammer referees, and up to five pack referees. All participants are required to wear elbow, wrist, knee, head, and mouth protective gear. The origins of roller derby date back to roller skating marathons in the US during the 1930s. However, during the early 2000s, a modern revival of the sport had begun. This included many teams forming outide of the US due to globalization and social media. The sport has evolved to consist primarily of female identifying individuals utilizing elements of camp, DIY, punk, and feminist ethics and aesthetics. There is a tradition in which players skate under pseudonyms or alter-egos that often draw from satire, mock-violence or sexual puns, alliteration, and pop culture references. Despite being a theatrical sport, players do risk injury and are required to pass several skills tests in order to participate in competitions. Until the basic requirements are met, beginners are trained in a seperate group often referred as “freshmeat”. Roller derby has become an international sport consisting of both professional and amateur teams. Although it is primarily a female sport, there are also a growing number of male and unisex teams. The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) is the international governing body of the sport and association of leagues around the world.
Intended to be risoprinted in CMYK. Elisa Chaudet, 2017