Dominion Derby Girls | Blog » Why I Skate

Why I Skate ~ Becka tha Wrecka

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:00:10 +0000

Growing up in England I had never even heard of Roller Derby until I moved here in 2004. As a child, I had roller skated a bit in my street on the sweet skates I got from L.A. when staying with my grandparents but apart from that I was a roller virgin.
One of my best friends lives in Raleigh and he told me about the roller derby team that skated there. On a visit, we went to check it out. On that day I saw Roxy Rocket, Teflon Donna and Princess America. Anyone familiar with derby knows that they are three rockin’ skaters.
So, when I came back here and told my friends what I had seen they told me that derby was starting in this area. I checked out one of their first meetings but it was not until January ’05 that ,thanks to Bam Bam, Pachuca, Bite Me and Trailer Crash, I actually got out to a practice.

Becka tha Wrecka #1984

On that very first day I managed to give Bam Bam a concussion. Yes, concussion. It was almost all over for me at that point because I am not a confrontational or aggressive person. I enjoy team sports and being fit but what I love the most about derby is the chance to play a sport with my friends against other people. Needless to say, Bam was as gracious and forgiving like so many derby girls, and I kept at it.
When we finally got to divide up into teams I faced another difficult time. All of the ladies with whom I had started derby were placed on the Femmes Fatales. I was the sole Dirty Diesel Darlin’ of our crew. Don’t get me wrong, the Darlin’s were and are lovely ladies and I love them long time, but I was nervous about being expected to hit the women with whom I spent most of my time on and off the track. Surprise surprise, I got over that too and here I am a baby, an interleague team and a few years later.
I love derby for all that it offers: fitness; excitement; sportswomanship; the Corinthian spirit at its best; entertainment; friendship; diversity and beer. ..but seriously. I know this sport has changed my life in a way that no other activity has or can. I have been and continue to be lucky enough to encounter the world of derby at a great time in its evolution and for that I will always be grateful (if somewhat more achey and busted).

Why I Skate – Cheeky Monkey

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:00:41 +0000

Why do I skate? It’s a simple question right? Well… maybe not so much. Skating is about a lot of things for me… I love the game… I love the strategy… I love the contact… I love the workout… But, mostly I just like being a part of something that is bigger than just me… Being part of a team is why I go out there every practice and skate as hard as I can. Derby is fairly new for me and to be honest I’m picking it up very slowly. But, the way these girls support each other… work with us to make us better… and encourage us when we feel like we totally failed… that is the reason I keep coming back.

Cheeky Monkey

I discovered derby by accident really… my girlfriend was talking to me about her bruises and I asked where she got them… she told me all about derby, what it’s about and how it’s played. I’m a tomboy and I always wanted to play a rough sport like hockey or men’s lacrosse (because really lets face it if you can’t beat each other with the stick then what’s the point?) so I figured this would be my chance… little did I know that it only got better… not only was this a rough and tumble sport, but roller derby encouraged wearing fishnets and skirts! I was completely hooked. I went to boot camp and never looked back…

So, why do I skate? I skate because not only was this sport meant for me, but this team was meant for me… I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of girls to train me and show me all the ropes… and now that I’m on the team I definitely feel like there is no better group of women that i could be skating with. Cheers!

Returning to Derby After Pregnancy – Smokin’ Ices

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:00:43 +0000

My roller derby adventure started in November 2008 when I was contacted by someone from Dominion Derby Girl’s (DDG) fresh meat committee. I was contacted through Myspace and was asked if Roller derby was something I might be interested in. I immediately replied YES! The next day I went to watch a practice and from that day forward I was hooked.

I bought all of my gear and started practicing right away. When I purchased my gear I probably bought the cheapest skates possible, but they served their purpose in getting me out on the track. A fellow DDG skater, T. Rex ya face, was taking a “break” from skating so she let me test out her skates. What a difference skates can make, as I felt like I was flying compared to my previous skates. I skated a few more times on T. Rex’s skates and wondered why she hadn’t asked for them back. Then the news came that she was expecting a little miracle! We were all so excited for her and to my surprise she said I could continue to wear what I call “the magical skates”.

When I first started skating, the DDG had a Skater Qualification Requirement booklet that you got signed off once you passed a WFTDA minimum skill requirement. My skills continued to get better and better every time I skated. I went to every practice I could in hopes to get that book FINISHED as soon as possible! I was only five signatures away from completing my booklet when I received some AMAZING news of my own. I was pregnant with my first child! My husband and I were super excited to hear the news and I would also need to take a “break” from skating. So now we all know why I say T. Rex ya face had “the magical skates”!

I continued to be involved with the DDG throughout my pregnancy by attending practices, home bouts and traveling with the team to Atlanta and Philadelphia. It was awesome to watch the team grow and come so far. My little guy was born on October 7th and I jumped back on skates at the fresh meat boot camp which was held November 1st. To my surprise I hadn’t lost all of my skill, but I definitely had to ease my way back into skating and get back to the fundamentals of roller derby.

I’m sure the majority of athletic woman fear the aftermath of having a baby and I certainly was no exception. I know I was very anxious to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and after about a month of skating with the DDG I had already accomplished this goal. I preach to every mommy I know to come out and play some Roller Derby, because it’s not only loads of fun, but it’s also the best work out I’ve ever had!

Smokin’ Ices # 21

Why I Skate – Blazin’ Angel

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:00:26 +0000

There are many reasons why I skate but the most important one is because I want my kids to know that being a parent does not mean that your life has to stop. It is difficult trying to make the practices, meetings, committies, and events that we hold because we are a non-profit organization. No matter what though I want to give it my all and be able to skate in a bout and have my kids saying that’s my mom out there.

It was a hard journey through the fresh meat process. I never knew that so many things were involved with roller derby and I still have a lot to learn but it is worth every minute of my time. I thought I knew how to skate already but then I was told that you needed to learn how to fall properly,weave through skaters,and of course receive and take hits among other things. Also, you need to stretch and you endure a workout even before you actually start skating. There is so much involved and a great amount of detail goes into making you a roller derby girl. Oh, I want to mention that you need to know rules of roller derby and hand signals given by the refs,also. It takes a lot of practices and then you get to move on to bigger and better things and become rotten meat which is where I am at today.

As rotten meat, I have to stretch, endure a workout, and skate in a pack. When you are in a pack, it is a whole different ball game. You have to be very alert and ready to help your team. I have been doing this for a couple of weeks now and it has been hard to grasp but I am going to keep trying and not give up. I know I have the support of my team and coaches to back me up and I am not going to let them down.
The last thing I would like to close with is to say thank you to a couple of people. The first person is my friend Beverly for staying on me about getting skates. My coaches for giving me hope that I can learn this. Also, the girls I skate with for pushing me when I just want to give up and lending me the equipment so I could skate.

“Returning to Derby After Pregancy” ~ T. Rex Ya Face

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:32:50 +0000

In early 2008, I was engaged to my boyfriend that I had been with for seven years. I knew we’d be soon making plans for a wedding and a family but something huge was in the way: roller derby. I had been balls to the wall consumed with roller derby since Sept 2006 when I walked into the rink for the first time. The 2008 season was a good year for DDG. We had some nice wins under our belts, and were getting the chance to play top ranked teams like Detroit and Madison. After a unfortunate declined invite to the Eastern Regional Tournament due to lack of skaters, and also a loss to Tuscon, the season ended in early September. We spent the next few months getting our numbers up and re-organizing the league to gear up for 2009. In late November, I found out I was pregnant. I was nothing but happy and what perfect timing. You think of it from the outside and it seems like a long time without skating, but being pregnant, my mind was consumed. I still attended and coached tons of practices and bench coached a few games. I was even awarded Member of the Month for my hard work during the time I was off skates. By the start of the summer, about seven months into my pregnancy, I was ready to get back on the track and start skating.

I gave birth to Bridget Niamh on August 06 2009. She was 7lbs 7oz. and the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

As a new Mom, some days went by so fast and some so slowly. I was ready to get back on the track. Against the wishes of my doctor, husband, family, I donned skates again for the first time two weeks to the day after I gave birth. All I did was skate around the outer edge of the track, but dammit I WAS READY. I knew that no matter how bad I wanted to start skating again, I needed to wait until I was given the “all clear” by my doctor, which came in the beginning of September.
Coming back to a league I’ve never skated with was a bit strange. There was an entire new crop of skaters filling the spots on the team that I last skated with. Its was great though. All my old cronies kept pumping my jamming skills up to all the new girls and that really added pressure on me to be as good as I was before I had my baby. Ugggh! It was hard. I went slow. I took it one lap at a time to get my skate legs back in gear and after a few weeks I stared to feel more agile and comfortable on my skates. At the end of my first month, I took my eval to start scrimmaging again. I passed and from them on I was “back on the team.” Still not where I left off last year but not that far behind.
I gained 70 pounds during my pregnancy. I was a skinny 115lbs before and coming back to derby I was not 115 by any means. I have, to date, lost about 40 pounds and the last bit of baby weight is just hanging on for dear life. Thank goodness derby doesn’t require a certain type of body to play. I tell myself that thirty pounds just makes me hit harder. I knew all that pizza and creme brulee would have its benefits one day. Ha!

Having a baby during my derby career wasn’t bad at all. It gave me a well deserved break for my knees. It allowed me to a necessary step back and gave me the oppotunity to prioritize everything I did for the sport to make all that I do better. Bridget is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I skate for her now, as corny as that sounds… When I get pregnant again a few years down the road, I know that my league will be there and welcome me back again with open arms.

Why I Coach

Pippy Longstalker — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:37:26 +0000

2009 Team Captain - Thunder Lips

I suppose every coach has their reasons for enjoying their job. Depending on the sport and the individual background, any particular coach would likely bring forth reasons for why they love what they do. For me it is no different, but it’s not what you might think. I came to the Dominion Derby Girls with no skating background. I wasn’t a rink rat, never performed on skates, I never so much as had a skating birthday party when I was growing up. In fact, I didn’t even have much of an athletic background at all! I took ballet lessons for years and years and I ran track in school. Aside from my 4×4 relay team, I had minimal experience with team sports. It was a caption in an article in the Virginia Pilot about our league almost 3 years ago that caught my eye. It said “We’ll teach you everything you need to know, all the skills required to play Roller Derby!” and that they did.

So, two years later I am a coach and the reason I love it is because learning to play this sport and acquiring all the skills required to do so is a long and hard process. Ladies from all walks of life walk with all sorts of backgrounds through our door every month with the hopes that they will one day (soon) play this game. Everyone starts off shaky on skates and scared of falling, then they’re scared of learning whips and then of being hit (making contact). But the tenacious ladies that really want to do this keep coming back and I take teaching them very seriously. I love watching the transformation!! Girls start to get steady on their skates and then seconds come bit by bit off a time trial because a girl starts to cross over, a Fresh Meat will get a good push on one of our vets, someone will unexpectedly produce a strong whip or shock me by really laying a good hit on one of us old timers. Little by little, a derby girl starts to shine through.

At the end of the Fresh Meat process, every skater goes through an evaluation and when you pass you get to start scrimmaging. None of us ever stop learning, this is an evolving sport but it’s so GREAT to stand by and watch a new jammer get lead for the first time, or a girl connect with a perfect hit, or recover from a fall lighting quick just when you may have counted her out and know that I had a part it this creation. I consider Derby to be a gift for the select few of us who want it, who need it. Our coaching staff as a whole is dedicated to helping ladies obtain that for themselves and our end goal is to create a skater who is an asset to their team, add a new friend to the mix and give them something that can never be taken away – for once a derby girl…. always a derby girl.

-Thunder Lips

Why I Skate: Bam Bam McCha-Cha

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:20:04 +0000

Why I Play – Bam Bam McCha Cha

Why did I join Dominion Derby Girls, you ask? Well, to be honest I was a little scared to be a derby girl at first. I was sort of apprehensive because getting beaten up and pummeled was not high on my priority list. I still had the old memories of watching Roller Derby on T.V. back in the 70’s when I was a little kid,; memories of girls (and guys) aggressively clothes-lining, stomping, shoving, and kicking one another. Not to mention seeing those derby folks careening through the air and spinning around the rails only to fall into the heckling crowd was frightening. Hmmm? On the other hand, I was also eerily fascinated and intrigued by the action and mayhem which lured me into becoming a Sunday morning Roller Derby junkie; just me watching alone, while my parents continued their Sunday morning routine… I digress, but as I was saying , I was a chicken when I was first approached to do Roller Derby . Being a spectator was easier, safer., but remembering the fast paced excitement and how awesome they all looked skating around like speed demons crashing and hitting one another to get the jammer through was alluring.

So in comes Jan Rosser with a great idea for all of us, “hey guys I think we all should check out this Roller Derby thing my friend Billy is trying to promote.” I look at her and said, “what… Roller Derby, here in Norfolk?” Her retort, “yeah, I think it’ll be fun, let’s all try it. They‘re going to be skating at Kempsville on Thursday, we‘ll just show up and see what it‘s about and if we don‘t like it we can leave.” All right, fair enough, we can at least see what’s going on, I am kind of curious. So that Thursday Tabatha, Missy, Jan , and I get into Jan’s Honda and trek our way to the rink to see what’s going on. All four of us were on the same wave length that night because we were wearing something 70’s roller disco without even consulting each other, I think it was because we’re cool like that. We enter the rink and sneakily spy on the girls “practicing”, by the way, this was done during Kempsville’s open skate, there was nothing official or regimented about this practice. Not a helmet nor protective pad in sight, well maybe a few girls did have wrist guards, but that was it. We skate around the rink trying to look as if we were just there by happenstance at this “open skate” to skate, not to join roller derby. And Billy comes up, “ so, are you girls here for Roller Derby?” “ Um, yeah, sure, we’re just checking it out.” Next thing I know we’re doing some sort of weaving drill and then did a few hip bumps. I was frightened, but I did it anyway. It wasn’t so bad. “Come next door with us after practice,” they offered.

Afterwards, we went to meet the girls formally at a Mexican restaurant, Jan, Tab Missy, and I were mulling over this Roller Derby thing with some margaritas. The first person that I met was Mother Jugs and it was her 22nd birthday . A majority of the girls there were in their early 20’s, whereas, the four of us (Jan, Tab, Missy, and I) were in our mid 30’s, I thought damn, I think I might be too old for this. When they asked me if I was joining, I tried to use the age thing as an excuse. We have people in their 40’s skating, you’re not too old, they cooed convincingly. Jan looks at us and said, “come on, we’ll just show up and have fun, you’ve got to admit, that was fun.” She was right, it was fun and I liked it. Anyways, I needed something to get me back into shape because I had had a baby the previous year and was feeling lumpy. Not to mention, I got the chance to hang tough with my bff’s with skates on my feet. All right I’ll do it. Before I knew it we were in it. The four of us concocted our derby names within a matter of weeks: I became Bam Bam McCha~Cha, Jan became Traylor Crash, Tabatha became Holly Go Bite Me, and Missy became Suicide Barbie. From then on we started attending practice. We were officially Roller Derby Girls. I was even successful with recruiting 3 more of my bff’s to join in on the Roller Derby fun (the beautiful Pachuca Loca, Asian Chow Down, and Becca the Wrecka).

Those first few months were quite humorous. The league was just starting out, the Roller Derby concept was so new to EVERYONE, we weren’t even sure how to play the game. We shared practices with a children’s speed skating team to get some semblance of direction, but we still needed guidance . Seriously, everything was super rag tag and I always heard stuff like, what do you mean get in a diamond formation, using your elbows is a penalty, I thought you were supposed to make a dogpile for showmanship, when do I get to wear a cute costume ??????????????????? My how things have changed. Thanks to the hard work and research by some very dedicated and driven league members (The Ruffian and Mother Jugs) we started to shape up our act. Jan became our league president when leadership got a little hairy. Also, a very instrumental and pivotal transplant from the Tucson Roller Derby graciously shared all of her Derby knowledge giving us a chance to get this Roller Derby thing done right (thank you Sweet and Lowdown, I am forever grateful). Wowee, now this was getting serious. Months went by it’s coming together.

We were training like real athletes and had our own rink time. Finally, Haygood took a chance and gave us an opportunity. We were figuring out strategy and planning our bouts. I got the rush and the fever. I learned how to a hit a girl hard, real hard. We were getting good . After more hard work by league members we were accepted into WFTDA, a national organization that regulates and sanctions our sport. Roller Derby was no longer a spectacle, but a real honest to goodness athletic sport. I was given the opportunity to travel with my team: Vegas, Philly, Baltimore, Long Island. How exciting. A concussion, abrasions, two messed up thumbs, a black eye, and a busted bursa, this is Roller Derby. This is real and I’m a part of it. Almost three years later and I’m still skating.

I would of never thought in a million years that I would say, I’m in Roller Derby or I do Derby. It has become such an important part of my identity. It speaks about who I am. I am tough and strong. I love the sisterhood and how all of my bff’s and I could participate in a full contact team sport. I love all of the new friends that I have made through Roller Derby (some of whom are now old friends).

Most of my friends had to move away from derby, be it life or injury that keeps them at bay, despite that, the experiences will be with us forever. I miss Jan, the one who started it all. Sadly, she lost her battle to cancer two years ago and never had the chance to play in a bout. I miss her spunk and spirit; but the fortunate thing is that I am able to take a bit of Jan’s spirit to every bout that I play in: the spirit to keep on going no matter what, the spirit to work together with my team, the spirit to have fun. Thanks Jan, it was you who gave me the cojones to do it. I <3 Roller Derby and I <3 Jan Rosser.

Why I Skate: Media Blitz

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:09:54 +0000

Why I Play – Media Blitz

I moved to Hampton Roads in October of 2004. I was immersed in work, and on the weekends, I sat around my apartment. Months went by, and I longed for a life outside my stressful job as a TV News Producer. And the pounds crept up on me. By October of 2006, I was at my highest weight ever. One of my co-workers skated derby, and I went with a group of friends to watch the Halloween bout. That’s when my life changed. I was hooked.

January, 2007. My first derby practice as “fresh meat.” It was hard, I was out of shape, and I didn’t know ANYONE. The coaches were tough. I toughed out the sore muscles, the bruises, and the stinky gear. I fell in love with the sport! The feeling you get after making it through a tough practice is like nothing you’ll ever feel again. With each practice, I felt stronger. And I made some great friends. And the weight came off!!!

A year later, and 60-pounds lighter. My calendar has filled up with so many “non-work” things. And the friends I made in the league, well they became my second family. We work to run the business we call the DDG. It’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding. In the long run, I know we’ll flourish!

My league-mates and I have our ups and downs, but in the end, they’re still there. And even though there are times when I feel like I’m not moving forward, the coaches remind me how far I’ve come as an athlete. And my derby friends remind me that they’re still my second family.

Why I Skate: Van Hellion

Destroyer Pants — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:48:30 +0000

Fri Oct 24, 2008

Why I Play – Van Hellion

One night, while beating the boys at poker over at Pretty Skate Machine’s house, she mentioned roller derby and sold me a ticket to one of the interleague bouts. The bout was a lot of fun, but I was pretty intimidated by the girls. I never thought that I would be one of those girls one day.
During another drunken night at poker at my house, I asked Skate Machine to tell me more about this roller derby. She was so excited to talk derby, and I felt like I found out everything there was to know about it. So I did what any potential derby girl would do; I went out, stole some skates off of a bum, found some pads, and bought some fish nets. Shortly afterwards, Skate Machine took me skating, and made me feel like my “basic” skills were so awesome. I looked forward to nothing more than the fresh meat tryouts.

So here I am. Derby has brought out the confidence in me that I didn’t think I had. I’ve made 20 “sisters” and would trade nothing for these awesome girls.

Why I Skate: T.Rex Ya Face

Destroyer Pants — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:03:30 +0000

When I first saw that commercial on TV for roller derby in April 2006…I thought Roller Derby, Whaaatttt thhaaa??? Then I pondered… “If its anything like what i think it is, a full contact race, on skates, them count me IN! I jumped up leaving the snug in the spot I’ve so lazily made for myself over the past year on the couch to ran to the computer. I quickly googled “Virginia Roller Derby” F’in Right! We had a league. I didn’t know anything about Norfolk’s league, how long they had existed, if they were good, and most importantly how can I join? In reviewing the website I easily located the “join” section and starting speed reading to get directly to the contact name! I quickly began writing that email, only to sit and stare at it for what felt like eternity before I clicked send. It seems within minutes I had a reply telling me there was a general meeting that I could come and listen and see for myself who these alleged “derby girls” really were.

Shit. What have I done. I was the most nervous than I’ve ever been. The meeting was at the Chrysler Museum about a week later. A few of the girls worked there at the time and were able to secure us a meeting room. Fancy! I didn’t know Norfolk too well, ya see, I’m a beach girl….needless to say I got lost on my way and had to walk in late. The Nightmare! Everyone was looking at me! I quietly sat in the seat in the corner and glanced around the room. There is so many girls! Did I have to try out. What If i get cut? What if i can’t skate anymore? I thought i was dead meat, all the other girls in there look tough. It was suggested that you should go to an open skate first and get your bearing so to speak before trying out. Also they said they have mandatory PT on Saturdays. I felt my heart fall into my stomach. I was a retail manager of a slow nursery(plants, not kids) out in the middle of no where. Although we were never really busy, I had to be there Saturdays. Well this won’t work out I thought and pushed the whole roller derby thing to the back of my mind.

The seasons passed, spring turned into summer and summer slowly turning into fall. My life went on…One day I was at a Murder No Motive show, selling merch for the band and this girl, I call her fate, but her name was Noelle walked up to me and asked if the band would be interested in playing at the halftime show for roller derby. WHAT! I yelled, Did she really just say roller derby.

She said she was Fresh Meat with DDG and told me about a new round of tryouts the following Thursday! (this was a Saturday night) Little did I know in 5 days my life was about to change.

I had from Sunday morning to Thursday to get my gear. Shit. Gear! What do they wear? What do I need? I went to Dick Sporting Goods, bought, now looking back, the cheesiest skates ever and some bobo pads and a helmet. I was geared up. Thursday rolled around and I got dressed and headed to tryouts. On my way, the boboness of my pads got to me and I stopped by Target for something better. One wouldn’t think that you’d choose a Target over a sporting goods store for protective pads but the trusty Target came though, and I had decent pads to begin with. I arrive early and roll around the rink a few times with the open skate skaters trying to blend in but my gear is screaming BRAND NEW and my face looks petrified! HA! The memories…So it began without a hitch-we all were passes into Fresh Meat status and thus started my training as a Dominion Derby Girl.

The training as a fresh meat was about three months long. Meanwhile back at the Nursery my boss,she was such a feminist you’d think she be all about Roller Derby but, no, her concern was that I’d break something and couldn’t work for her, As she once told me. Really! Well, that, having to work weekends, not being able to travel, and a perfect opportunity opening up for me at my dads shop, I quit retail. I miss working with plants everyday, I really really do. But I think that my degree in Horticulture and my passion isn’t going anywhere. This body won’t be its 20’s forever, i need to skate now!! (Although I’m young at 25 in terms of average derby girls age!) Plus I needed some freaking weekends to myself. I had been in retail forever and was quite sick of it.

I passed my WFTDA training eval in December of 2006. I tried out for the ‘07 Travel Team as a brand spanking new rotten meat and made it. Shit. I was gonna be bouting in 3 weeks! (That same time we were just accepted into the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association(WFTDA). Holy Hell That’s awesome. We were a team that will be nationally recognized. “This is a great time to begin derby” I always told myself!) The captain at the time was Sweet N. Lowdown,transfer skater from Tuscon with a derby background already, told me that since I was new and knew nothing of the game except that I could skate fast, I’d only be jamming. Only be jamming, ONLY, dang that’s huge. That means I would be the only person on the track at a time(besides the other team) that could score points. Well if she wanted to say only, whatever, that was good enough for me! I jammed my ass off that game. And continued from then on being a jammer for Dominion Derby Girls.

I love and let me say it again LOVE to jam. I will jam 99% of the time you hand me the pantie. (Panties are the helmet covers we wear to denote the jammer and pivot) To be a jammer defiantly has its drawbacks. Frankendoll, a current DDG blocker once said to me…”No way!, do I want to jam, You might as well tape a thundered dollar bill to my forehead, there are all out to get me” But that’s what I love. The get me if you can attitude. I’m a big fan of a jammer isn’t any good without the help of her blockers BUT the jammer needs to hold her own as well. One of the biggest things I tell new jammers as they begin is to keep moving your feet. The easiest jammer to stop is one that will stop. Sounds easy enough, huh. So if you keep your feet moving, juking around like a boxer, you can usually out step them. But the second you end up behind someone and stall with your feet, your a sitting duck. Be ready for another blocker to rush in and knock your ass out. The 3 main things I would say when trying to avoid super big takeouts as a jammer is, Don’t take the outside, Don’t stop skating and, use your teammates as pawns on your track. I would say the biggest drawback for me is the pressure. As I mentioned before, you ain’t jack without your blockers, but no one but yourself can pull out the power, endurance, and strategy with split second thinking when barreling into the pack as a jammer.

Jamming also has is advantages. Obviously the name recognition. The announcer usually says the jammers name a few more times than some of the blockers. And in turn, the crowd remembers you. Although some blocker are famous world wide, like Beyonslay from Gotham. The whole damn country knows her name! My favorite thing when jamming is “Open Air Jamming”. I made up the term but its when your pack of blockers do a wonderful job blocking and also helps if the other team isn’t paying attention and you soar right on through the pack. Untouched. Like as if you were flying in a big open space. They are kinda rare but a most excellent feeling. I usually roar when coming out of them?! Habit I guess. Its the Dino in me. I have always begun the game on the jammer line. Being the first jammer makes for your nerves to be amplified 10x. The pressure you feel when your waiting for the second whistle to start the game is huge, but in those moments its when I realize that this is what I love to do.

Skate hard and turn left.

Jamming is a awesome position to play. If you have the endurance, courage and, determination anyone can be a jammer. Whats beautiful about roller derby is that all body types are welcome in derby. Sometimes the wider you are the better you are at pack play! Sweet N. Lowdown weighs about 90lbs and was the best all around player we had.(She has retired and is moving to Abu Dahbi…sigh..)

If you’re thinking about joining, Please do. If you don’t like it don’t stay but, for me and many thousands other across the country, It will change your life.