What is Roller Derby?

Modern day roller derby is a fast paced, hard hitting sport played on quad skates. Typically played on a flat track surface, roller derby is played under a number of standardized rule sets. SCAR Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) and plays by the WFTDA's rules, however, there are other agencies for men's roller derby and junior roller derby and for other gameplay styles.

Roller derby is more than just a sport! With over 400 WFTDA roller derby leagues worldwide, roller derby is quickly breaking ground and becoming more widespread.

So where is the banked track?

While previous generations of roller derby were played and gathered recognition on a banked track, the majority of modern roller derby is played on a flat track surface. This makes derby more accessible, as practices and games can be held on any flat surface, including skating rinks, warehouses, and even empty stores in a shopping mall!

Roller derby also consists of volunteers and support staff to help put everything together and make games possible, from referees and officials, photographers, announcers, and of course our fans!

A roller derby game, sometimes referred to as a "bout", consists of two 30-minute halves. The game is made of individual plays, called "jams", which can run for up to two minutes. Two teams compete, each putting five skaters out to play in a jam. One skater from each team wears a star cover on their helmet, those are the "jammers", and they score points by passing skaters from the opposing team during each jam. The first jammer to get out of the pack is the "lead jammer", and they can end the jam before the full two minutes has passed.

SCAR Derby's #44 Craven Equality, jamming and passing opposing team skaters by jumping the track apex.

Skating Officials (referees) fully gear up and skate around the inside and outside of the track, watching for illegal actions, and counting points scored by jammers.

Non-Skating Officials (NSOs) keep track of jam time, penalties, points scored, and operate the scoreboard,

Ready to join the action?
SCAR Derby welcomes anyone and everyone who is interested in being part of our community to come find their love and passion here. Whether you want to learn how to play roller derby, or if volunteering or supporting roller derby piques your interest, we would love to have you! Stop by our next recruitment night or contact us!