Roller Derby is a full-contact sport on roller skates – No ball! No sticks!
In Roller Derby, two teams of up to 15 players each compete on an oval track. A game (bout) lasts two 30-minute halves, with each half (period) divided into up to two-minute jams. In each jam, five players from each team take to the track. The four blockers from both teams form a pack during the jam and attempt to stop the opposing jammer from passing and scoring points. After the initial pass, which determines the lead jammer, each jammer earns one point for every opponent they legally lap.
The competitions are held according to the rules of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association (WFTDA).
NSO's & SO's
Being part of the Roller Derby community doesn’t always mean being a player on the track: Our team also relies heavily on dedicated referees. In a Roller Derby bout, it is the referees’ job to ensure that the game runs as fairly and smoothly as possible. There are two types of referees: Skating Officials (SOs) and Non-Skating Officials (NSOs). Typically, three to eight SOs officiate a bout, skating around the infield and outfield. The main responsibilities of the SOs include issuing penalties, awarding points, and, very importantly, ensuring fair play. SOs traditionally wear black-and-white striped jerseys, which is why they are also referred to as “zebras.”
The tasks of the NSOs are also quite diverse. They do not skate and are positioned around and outside the playing field. Among other duties, they start and time jams, record penalties, stop the clock for players in the penalty box, and inform the teams of the score using the scoreboard. NSOs often wore pink, which is why they were called “flamingos.” Nowadays, the usual color for NSOs is black.
We offer training and practice opportunities for our referees. Interested individuals can participate in our beginner training sessions, where the basics of skating and the game are taught. During internal scrimmages, they can demonstrate their knowledge and provide players with feedback for smooth gameplay. Additionally, we also try to organize boot camps specifically for SOs and NSOs. Referees are full members of our team. They can participate in decision-making processes and projects and engage in various working groups.
As a referee, there are also many opportunities to connect with the national and international community and gain experience at bouts and games outside of the home league. In general, our team is always looking for SOs and NSOs who are interested in becoming part of our team.
Protection gear
To prevent injuries, we play Derby with special protective gear: We use quad skates, a helmet, a mouthguard, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads. The right fit is important because gear that is too loose or too tight is not only uncomfortable but can also pose a risk of injury. To check the fit of your gear, there is a guide from WFTDA, which you can access here (available in English).
If you’re a beginner (newbie) and unsure how to choose the right gear for yourself, there’s no need to worry because our newbie course provides tips and recommendations for purchasing equipment. Since a complete Derby setup can be expensive, there is the option to rent equipment for the initial period. We also support players in acquiring new gear afterward.
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Blocking
Blocking is an important part of the game, and to ensure the safety of all players, there are some rules. Each position (jammer, pivot, and blocker) can block intentionally or unintentionally, but they can only use specific parts of their body (the so-called blocking zones) and can only target certain body parts of their opponent (the so-called target zones).
The blocking zones are the torso, the arms above the elbows, and the legs above the midpoint of the thighs.
The target zones are the chest, the front and sides of the torso, the arms, the hands, the hips, and the front and sides of the legs above the midpoint of the thighs.
