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Not sure what's happening on the track? No worries, we're here to help!
How it starts...
How it starts...
Each bout lasts for two 30-minute periods.
Each period consists of multiple jams, which can last up to 2 minutes.
Each jam features one jammer, one pivot, and three blockers for each team - a total of 10 folks on the track!
A jam ends after 2 minutes or after the lead jammer calls it off by touching their hips repeatedly. If the lead jammer goes to the penalty box, they lose the power to call off the jam!
After each jam, the teams have 30 seconds to get their next lineups out on the track. The jam timer gives a 5 second warning before the jam starts.
The Roles
The Roles
The jammer is the only skater that can score points. They wear a star on their helmet.
The blockers work together to keep the opposition from scoring, and to help their jammer score points. There are three blockers on the track during the jam. The blockers make up the pack.
The pivot is a blocker with special powers. They have a stripe on their helmet and can become the jammer if they're handed the star.
How do you score?
How do you score?
The jammer must pass all the skaters on the other team - called the initial pass - before they can score points.
The first jammer to clear the pack is designated the lead jammer and has the ability to call off the jam at any point.
After their initial pass, a jammer scores one point for every set of hips they pass on the opposing team - up to four points at a time.
If someone is in the penalty box, the jammer will still score points for "passing" them after they've passed the rest of their teammates.
The jam ref assigned to each jammer will hold up a number of fingers to indicate how many points the jammer scored that round.
The jammer can keep scoring until the jam is over!
What's with all the whistles?
What's with all the whistles?
One long whistle is the signal that the jam has started!
Two short whistles signal that a jammer is lead. The ref will also point to the jammer during the jam to indicate lead status.
A short whistle - followed by the ref calling a skater's number - is a sign of a penalty.
Four short whistle blasts signal the end of the jam due to time having elapsed or the lead jammer calling off the jam.
One long rolling whistle signals a timeout or the end of a half.
That's a penalty?!?!
That's a penalty?!?!
Starring Jonesy!
No Pack
Okay, this one isn't a penalty. It's a signal to skaters that they are too far from one another. If the skaters are slow to reform the pack - they're going to the penalty box!
Illegal Entering/
Exiting Track
When called on a penalty, skaters need to exit the track at a
90-degree angle for a legal exit. To re-enter the track from the penalty box, they need to be out of the engagement zone.
Cut
Like most sports, if you go out of bounds, you need to re-enter legally. A cut happens when you re-enter in front of someone on the other team who had an advantageous position on you.
Directional
Derby is played in a counter-clockwise direction. If you push a member of the other team in a clockwise direction, that's a penalty.
Forearm
Note: you cannot hit someone with your forearm. That is a penalty.
Illegal Procedure
This could happen if something goes wrong when the jammer is passing the star to the pivot, or if someone tries to block that pass illegally.
Multiplayer
Life is better with friends...except when a jammer is trying to get through a wall and you and a friend hold hands to block them.
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