Game Play
Play is broken up into two 30-minute periods, which are then broken into units of play called “Jams,” which last up to two minutes. There are 30 seconds between each Jam.
During a Jam, each team fields up to five Skaters. Four of these Skaters are called “Blockers”. The combined blockers from each team form the pack. One skater from each team, who wears a helmet cover with a star on it, is called the “Jammer.”
The two Jammers start each Jam behind the Pack, and score a point for every opposing Blocker they lap, each lap. The jammers must complete an initial pass around the track to be eligible to score points on opposing Blockers.
Roller derby is a full-contact sport; however, Skaters cannot use their heads, elbows, forearms, hands, knees, lower legs, or feet to make contact with opponents. Skaters cannot make contact to opponents’ heads, backs, knees, lower legs, or feet.
Play that is unsafe or illegal may result in a Skater being assessed a penalty, which is served by sitting in the Penalty Box for 30 seconds of Jam time.
The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Learn more about the rules of flat track roller derby at https://rules.wftda.com/summary.html
