1. Roller Derby Rules Overview

2. Introduction
Modern roller derby is generally played according to WFTDA rules
This presentation is only intended as an introduction to the WFTDA rules
The rules can (and do!) get complex
Games tend to throw up lots of odd situations…
Focus here is on core rules players need to know
Not intended to be comprehensive!
Some parts have been deliberately simplified!

3. But I just want to play not read rules!
Do I really need to know the rules?
No... but you’re limiting how good a player you can be, and making it more difficult for you and your team
Huh? How does knowing rules help?
The cleaner you skate, the more choice you have for when you want to deliberately break the rules
Whilst keeping bad effects to a minimum
Less penalties means you’re in the sin bin less
If you’re in the sin bin, the only team you’re helping is the opposition
You can use the rules to your advantage
Tactics, strategy

4. I’m not convinced... It’s a personal opinion...
Strongly encourage you to try!
At the very least, if you only take three things away from this overview, make it these:
The pack (slides 11 – 13)
Legal target and blocking zones (slide 19)
Cutting the track (slides 35 – 37)
Knowing those three will give you the most bang for your buck when you start out!

5. Core game

6. Overview A game (“bout”) is two periods of 30 minutes
Each period is made up of a series of jams
The skaters go around the flat, roughly oval, track
In each jam, most of the players from the two teams skate near each other, forming a pack
A jammer from each team tries to keep passing through the pack by lapping the pack
Jammers score points by passing opposing players
Pack players can block to try and stop them
Next jam starts 30 seconds after the last one
Team with the most points wins!

7. Team composition Ten players on the track at once (five per team)
One jammer per team
Wears a helmet cover with large stars on
Only jammers can score points!
One pivot per team
Wears a helmet cover with a stripe on
Pivots often play a leader type role for their team
Three blockers per team
No helmet covers
Pivots can do everything blockers can, but can also receive a star pass
This is an advanced move, and usually pre-planned and well practiced, don’t worry about it for the moment!
For now, think of a pivot as just another blocker
WFTDA Rules Sections 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6

8. Boutfits
Quad skates, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet and mouth guard
Must be in good working order
Number must be clearly visible
On back
On both arms (marker pen is fine!)
No loose patches, numbers, etc.
Must not be any safety pins or similar!
Remove or tape up jewelry
WFTDA Rules Sections 3.7, 3.8, 3.9

9. Jam line-up Jammers line up on jammer line
Pivots line up on pivot line
Blockers line up behind pivots
In any order
‘Behind’ is determined by hips!
The pack is the group of skaters formed by the pivots and blockers
Jammers are not part of the pack
Skaters go round counter-clockwise (CCW)
WFTDA Rules Sections 4.2

10. Jam start The two teams line up for the jam
Referee blows one long whistle blast
Pack sets off
Jammers stay where they are
Any player not on track and in-bounds when the whistle blows must sit out the jam – don’t be late!
Referee waits for pack to cross pivot line
All the pack must cross
Referee then blows two rapid whistle blasts
Jammers set off
WFTDA Rules Sections 4.4

11. The pack Largest group of blockers... What does ‘close together’ mean?
Containing blockers from both teams
Skating in proximity (close together)
What does ‘close together’ mean?
Not more than 10 feet from another pack skater
This is confusing...ok, let’s try an experiment
Think about two skaters, one from each team, that are 10 or less feet apart – this is the pack
Now look for any skaters that are 10 feet or less from those two – these are also in the pack
Repeat this for any skaters that are 10 feet or less from any in the pack
It’s much easier to understand with a picture...
WFTDA Rules Section 4.1

12. Defining the pack The blue and red circles are the skaters
5 feet
5 feet
12 feet 3 5 6 1 4 2
The blue and red circles are the skaters
Blue 1 is not part of the pack
Red 2, 4, 6 and Blue 3, 5 are the pack
Blue 5 is in the pack?
10 feet or less from another pack skater (blue 3)
Hang on, Red 6 is in the pack?
10 feet or less from another pack skater (blue 5)
WFTDA Rules Section 4.1

13. The pack and being in / out of play
Blockers are in play except when:
They are more than 20 feet from the pack
They are out of bounds
Anything touching outside track boundary is out of bounds
The area 20 feet in front of the pack and 20 feet behind the pack is the Engagement Zone
Blockers not in play are out of play:
May not block opposing jammer or team
Must actively move out of the way of the jammer!
May not assist their jammer or team
Must re-enter the engagement zone
If ahead, must drop back; behind, must catch up
WFTDA Rules Section 4.3

14. No pack situations
If the players aren’t forming a pack, a no pack situation has developed
E.g. Three red and one black are in a group at the front; 15 feet behind are three black and one red
When a no pack situation develops…
The refs will shout ‘No pack’
Must immediately attempt to reform the pack
Failure to attempt to reform will result in a minor penalty to a skater from both team
Sustained failure will result in majors
Blockers are all considered out of play
A skater or team deliberately creating a no pack situation will be given a major penalty

15. Jamming No points are scored on first pass
Instead determines which jammer is lead jammer
Points are scored on subsequent passes
One point for each opposing player legally passed
Extra point for lapping the opposing jammer
Lead jammer is gained on first pass by:
Not stepping outside the track before getting within 20 feet of the pack
Passing all blockers (both teams!) legally and in-bounds
Being the first jammer to get through the pack
Not getting sent to the penalty box
Minor penalties don’t matter!
So long as you meet the other criteria above…
WFTDA Rules Section 3.4, 8

16. Lead jammer How do I know if I’m lead? How long does it last?
Your jam referee will be pointing at you with one hand, whilst other will be pointed straight up (like an L shape)
Referee will blow two rapid whistle blasts
How long does it last?
That jam only
What does it mean?
Lead jammer can call off the jam by repeatedly placing hands on hips
How is it lost?
By getting a major penalty
Is there always a lead jammer?
No, e.g. if both jammers do illegal passes
WFTDA Rules Section 3.4

17. Jam end Jam ends by either: Referee blows four rapid whistle blasts
Maximum time of two minutes reached
Time starts from first (long) whistle blast
Lead jammer calls jam off
By repeatedly placing hands on hips
Allowed at any time (skating, lying on the ground, out of bounds, etc.) until directed off track (i.e. majored)
Referee blows four rapid whistle blasts
Next jam starts 30 seconds later
If you’re not on track and in-bounds when the next jam starts, you’ll have to sit it out!
WFTDA Rules Section 2.4, 3.4

18. Blocking

19. General Blocking is both positional and contact
Counter-blocking is held to the same standards
Must be in play to block
Must be moving counter-clockwise to block
Don’t have to be facing that way though!
Cannot be stationary to execute a block
Must have at least one skate on the floor
Targets must be standing, stepping or skating
Stationary or moving clockwise targets are ok!
If they counter-block they’ll be penalised
WFTDA Rules Section 5

20. Legal target and blocking zones
You can hit these areas
You can hit with these areas
WFTDA Rules Section 5.3

21. Penalties

22. General concepts Two main types – minor and major
Minors are, well, minor – no advantage was obtained by a team, nor really a safety concern
Majors usually mean an advantage was obtained
A major means 1 minute in the penalty box
The fourth minor on a skater is treated as a major
Initiator of a block is always responsible for the legality of that block
Penalise the bullet not the gun
E.g. Red 1 pushes red 2 into blue 3 – red 2 is penalised
Also expulsions for really serious stuff
Fighting, intentional / negligent / reckless actions, etc.
7 trips to the penalty box (used to be 5)
WFTDA Rules Section 6

23. ‘Position’
Many penalties make reference to ‘loss of relative position’
This is when your position in relation to other skaters is lost due to the actions of another skater
E.g. an opponent behind you blocks into you and by doing so gets in front of you
Forced out of bounds is always loss of position
Loss of position isn’t always a penalty!
E.g. legal block that puts you off track

24. ‘Impact’
Good refs judge certain penalties on the impact it has on the opponent or game
Mainly blocking related penalties
Not every illegal block is a penalty!
Some examples…
Red 6 contacts Blue 2 in the back, Blue 2 doesn’t adjust their stance or is affected in any way
Illegal target zone, but no impact on blue 2 so no penalty
Red 8 has just passed Blue 12 and touches Blue 12 in the chest with trailing arm; Blue 12 isn’t affected in any way
Illegal blocking zone, but no impact so no penalty
Blue 22 blocks into Red 10 with an elbow but bounces off; Red 10 doesn’t move or adjust stance in any way

25. How are penalties signalled?
Minors
Referee will call out colour, number and penalty whilst making the appropriate hand signals
E.g. “Red 12 back block”
There is no whistle blast (unless it’s the fourth minor)
Majors
Referee will blow one long whistle blast and then call out colour, number and penalty whilst making the appropriate hand signals
E.g. Whistle then “Red 12 back block major”
WFTDA Rules Section 6, 7

26. I’ve been majored! Go straight to the penalty box As fast as I can?
As fast as you can, going counter-clockwise
Must not go clockwise, even if it would be quicker!
Skate outside the track and keep your mouth guard in!
If you take your mouth guard out, you’ll be getting another major!
As fast as I can?
Your 1 minute only starts when you’re sat down in the box!
I’m not sure the ref was calling me, should I just head off?
No! Keep playing if you’re not sure – let the refs worry about getting your attention! If it’s you they meant, they’ll get your attention!
Don’t deliberately ignore them (that’s an insubordination major)!
It’s ok to ask a ref if they meant you when they called a penalty
I’m not sure the ref got it right, am I ok to question the call?
No, go straight to the penalty box – querying it could get you another major!
Note that this is not the same as asking a ref if they meant you
No, really, the stupid ref has it completely wrong!
Go straight to the penalty box! Arguing will probably get you another major!
Only your Captain can confer with the referees...
Probably best to do it after the jam or in a timeout
WFTDA Rules Section 6, 7

27. In the box Remain seated until told you can go
This includes between jams, time-outs, etc.
With 10 seconds to go, you’ll be told to stand
You must stand up when directed
Spells in the box are 1 minute long
Unless you pick up another major on the way to it…
Sometimes, jammers are in for less
Do not remove any equipment (helmet, etc.)
You may take out your mouth guard whilst seated
You may adjust your safety equipment
You may ask how long you have left
If the jam ends, time left carries on into the next jam (and you must skate in it)
WFTDA Rules Section 7

28. Leaving the box Re-enter behind the rear-most pack skater
Out of play skaters don’t matter
What about no pack situations?
Rules aren’t entirely clear on this one…
Some refs read it as you can enter anywhere, others read it as you must enter behind all the skaters
Pretty rare, packs normally quickly re-form
Recommend you enter at behind all skaters
Before entering the track, you may skate clockwise outside the track
WFTDA Rules Section 7

29. Back blocking Hitting to the back in a non-legal target zone Minor
Ok to hit from behind to legal target zones
Minor
Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position
Major
Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position
WFTDA Rules Section 6.1

30. Head / above shoulders blocking
You must not hit above shoulders!
Always a major (doesn’t matter what you hit with)
You must not use your head to block with!
Always a major (so long as it’s by mistake)
If you do it deliberately, you’ll be expelled
What about accidental contact?
Minor if you force opponent to lose balance, go forward or sideways, but they don’t lose position
Major in all other cases
WFTDA Rules Sections 6.2, 6.6

31. Low blocking (tripping)
Contact below the legal target zones
Includes skates and wheels making contact, but only when outside the ‘normal skating motion’
Knees are not legal targets!
Contact from downed skaters re-entering the track
Minor
Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position
Major
Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position
Flailing / sprawling skaters that trip opponents
A skating motion that results in habitual contact between skates and wheels (3 times in a bout)
Habitual falling in front of opponents that cases them to lose position (3 times in a bout)
WFTDA Rules Section 6.3

32. Use of elbows Must bend elbow when blocking with arm
Must not swing your elbows into opponents
Minor
Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position
Major
Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position
Hooking an opponent to impede mobility
WFTDA Rules Section 6.4

33. Use of forearms and hands
Must not grab, hold or push opponents
Includes following through in a block
Minor
Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position
Touching an opponent for 3 seconds or more
Major
Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position
Grabbing or holding an opponent that results in them being forced down, out of bounds or losing position
WFTDA Rules Section 6.5

34. Blocking out of bounds Initiating a block whilst out of bounds Minor
Out of bounds includes when you’re straddling the track boundary
A skate touching outside the track boundary means you’re out of bounds
Minor
Opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position
Continuing a block after you’ve gone out of bounds
Major
Opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position
WFTDA Rules Section 6.8

35. Direction of play Must skate counter-clockwise Minor Major
Stepping counts as skating
It’s about direction, not the way you’re facing
Can’t block, assist or engage if going clockwise
Minor
Blocking whilst stationary or moving clockwise and opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position
Giving an assist whilst stationary or moving clockwise that doesn’t improve position
Major
Blocking whilst stationary or moving clockwise and opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position
Giving an assist whilst stationary or moving clockwise that improves recipient’s position
WFTDA Rules Section 6.9

36. Out of play Leaving the engagement zone
A referee may give you an out of play warning
Minor
Not returning to the engagement zone
Not reforming the pack in a no pack situation
Blocking whilst out of play where the opponent loses balance, is pushed forward or sideways, but doesn’t lose position
Out of play assist that doesn’t improve recipient’s position
Major
Not returning to the engagement zone after getting a minor for not returning
Sustained failure to reform the pack
Blocking whilst out of play where the opponent is forced down, out of bounds, loses position
Out of play assist that improves recipient’s position
WFTDA Rules Section 6.10

37. Cutting the track
Let’s keep this simple to start with and only consider skaters completely on the track
i.e. not touching outside the track in any way
Leaving the track and then re-entering in front of a skater in a way that improves your position
Downed, out of bounds or out of play skaters don’t affect your position (they’re not in play)
Still applies in a no pack situation!
Minor
Re-entering in front of one in-play skater (any team)
Major
Re-entering in front of more than one in-play skater (any team)
Re-entering in front of the foremost in-play opposing blocker
Note that they might be in the middle of the pack!
WFTDA Rules Section 6.11

38. Cutting the track – after being blocked
If you’ve been blocked out of bounds, you must re-enter behind the skater who blocked you out
Except…
If the initiator has been sent off
If the initiator went out of bounds
A skate touching outside the track is out of bounds!
If the initiator was forced or fell down
Or chose to down themselves (e.g. single knee fall)
If the initiator left the engagement zone
WFTDA Rules Section 6.11

39. Cutting the track – straddling skaters
Straddling means you’re touching both inside the track boundary and outside it
Straddling ends when you cease contact with outside the track boundary
You re-enter the track when you cease contact
Normal skating motion is treated as constant contact
Minor
Re-entering in front of one in-play skater (any team)
Major
Re-entering in front of more than one in-play skater (any team)
Re-entering in front of the foremost in-play opposing blocker
WFTDA Rules Section 6.11

40. Skating out of bounds Must remain in-bounds (on the track)
No penalty for
Being forced out by a block
Going out after missing or performing a block
Minor
Skating out of bounds to avoid a block
Skating out of bounds to maintain/increase speed
E.g. cutting the turn apex
Major
Substantially cutting short the lap distance by skating across the in-field
Very rare, getting this takes some doing!
WFTDA Rules Section 6.12

41. Illegal procedures Usually where there’s no specific opponent Minor
False starts where the player yields
Trying to call off the jam when not lead jammer
Re-entering the track in front of one pack skater
Leaving the penalty box during time-outs, etc.
Major
False start and not yielding
Re-entering the track in front of 2+ pack skaters
Removing safety equipment (e.g. mouth guard)
Improper uniform, jewelry or skates
WFTDA Rules Section 6.13

42. Insubordination “Wilfully failing to comply with a referee”
Rules only give one example…
“Wilfully failing to leave the track for a penalty”
But specifically state it is not limited to just this...
Always a major
Expulsions for “deliberate and excessive insubordination” to a referee
Some referees have an itchy insubordination finger and will use it whenever they can…
Querying a penalty can get you this…
WFTDA Rules Section 6.14

43. Misconduct Making contact whilst in the air Blocking a downed opponent
“The use of obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at an official, mascot or audience member”
Don’t swear or gesture at the refs or NSOs!
If a ref penalises you for this and you keep on going at them, there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a second misconduct – and for that you might also be expelled for excessive abuse
“Excessive use of obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at an opposing skater, manager or coach”
Don’t repeatedly swear or gesture at opponents!
Always a major
Like insubordination, some refs are misconduct-happy
WFTDA Rules Section 6.15