Who can join E-Ville Roller Derby?

Team Skaters
Must be female, eighteen (18) years of age or older, and have up to date Alberta Health Care.

Volunteers
These positions include referees, announcers, coaches, stagehands, or general help. Men or women, must be eighteen (18) years of age or older, and have up to date Alberta Health Care.

Support
Anyone of any age can help support E-Ville Roller Derby through promoting, fundraising, sponsoring, and attending events and matches.

Do I have to be athletic and in shape to play roller derby?
Women of all shapes and sizes are welcome and encouraged to play roller derby. The wonderful thing about this sport is that you do not have to be in peak physical conditional to play nor do you have to have a sports background.

What equipment do I need and how much will it cost?
Quad skates, protective gear, and accessories are mandatory and can be purchased here in Edmonton from United Cycle.

Helmet
CSA approved skateboard helmet.
$40 - $90

Knee pads, elbow pads & wrist guards
When selecting protective equipment, look for skateboard pads and wrist guards, especially when considering knee pads as they will offer the best protection.
$75 - $100

Mouth guard with a dental guarantee
$30

Pair of speed/jam quad skates with toe stops and indoor wheels
Your skates will be your most expensive purchase.
$150 - $250

All dollar amounts reflect the expected cost averages prior to GST.

How much commitment is required?

We require a minimum 70% attendance commitment for practices. A considerable amount of time will also be required during bouts, fundraisers, and other derby related events. The more involved you want to be within in the league, the more time will be required on your part.

When and where are practices?

Mondays & Thursdays
Edmonton Sportsdome

10104 32 Ave

6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Is there a membership fee and if so, how much is it?

The league charges a monthly membership fee of $30 for team skaters and $15 for referees. There is a $5 charge for anyone wishing to skate on a one time trial basis. This fee assists in paying for rink rental, advertising, and administration costs.

What are the rules?

See what Wikipedia has to say about Roller Derby.

The game is played between two teams in a set of three, 20 minute periods. When the pack is in formation, the ref blows the whistle and the jam begins. Once the pack is on a roll, the ref blows a double whistle and the Jammers take off. The first Jammer to legally break through the pack in the initial pass is named Lead Jammer. The jam lasts for two minutes, unless the Lead Jammer calls it off. The pack of Blockers and Pivots set up offensive plays to help their own team’s Jammer and also play defense to prevent the opposing team’s Jammer from scoring. The Jammers are the only ones that can score points by lapping the pack and passing the opposing blockers and pivot while inbounds.

For a complete set of rules and regulations, please visit the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association website.

Definition of Terms

Team
Five or more derby girls, with a maximum of five on the track at a time:

1 Pivot
1 Jammer
3 Blockers

Period
A set of jams played in 20 minute duration.

Jam
A two minute scoring session.

Pack
Two teams of 3 blockers and a pivot, for a total of eight, skating in formation.

Formation
Pivots in the front, Blockers in the middle, Jammers in the back:

Pivot 1 Pivot 2
Blocker 1 Blocker 2 Blocker 1 Blocker 2
Blocker 1 Blocker 2
Jammer 1 Jammer 2

Jammer
Sprint skater marked by a star on her helmet which breaks through the pack and scores points by lapping opposing team members on track.

Lead Jammer
The first Jammer to legally break through the pack earns the strategic advantage of calling off (ending) the jam. She signals the end of the jam to the refs by putting her hands on her hips.

Blockers
Each team gets up to three Blockers on the track. They make holes in the pack for their Jammer to get through and block the opposing team’s Jammer.

Pivot
Blocker marked with a striped helmet which sets the pace of the pack by skating in front, in addition to playing offense and defense with the Jammers. As a strategic play, the pivot may become her team’s Jammer and score points if her Jammer hands off her star helmet cover to her.

Offensive Play
Helping score points, including whips, pushes and knocking down opposing Blockers.

Defensive Play
Inhibiting opposing Jammer from scoring using by using legal body blocks.

Legal Body Blocks
Blocks made using only your shoulders and upper arms to the opposing team members’ torso. No hands, pushing, grabbing, pulling, elbowing, etc. of the opposite team members is allowed.

Lapping
After a Jammer’s initial pass through the pack, she skates to catch up to the pack and attempts to break through again. She earns a single point for each opposing team member she passes for a maximum of four points per lap.