Roller Derby is an increasingly popular contact sport, with a growing number of people participating. As a proud sponsor of teams and supplier of equipment for the sport, we decided to explain the game for those who might not be very familiar with it!
The Origins
The sport began in the United States, initially as an endurance race during the 1930s. The entertainment value of the falls led to the incorporation of contact elements, and the game gradually expanded from there, adding more team members, rules, leagues, and so on. In 2001, it was revitalized in Texas, shaping it into the modern game we know today.
There are now over 2,000 amateur leagues worldwide!
The Kit
Safety comes first! Pads, helmets, and skates are essential, it's as simple as that. We offer a Roller Derby starter package that includes Quad Roller Skates (designed specifically for the sport), Roller Derby knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, a helmet, and a mouth guard!
The Teams
Each team can have up to 15 players, with 5 members participating in the game at any given time. The team is divided into 1 Jammer and 4 Blockers. You can identify the jammers by the star on their helmets!
The Jammer's role is to score points, while the Blockers' role is to prevent the opposing Jammer from scoring.
The Game
The game is played on an oval flat track and consists of two 30-minute halves, which are divided into 2-minute 'Jams'. However, a Jam may not last the full two minutes as it can be called off as part of a strategic move.
The objective of the game is to get your Jammer to the front and then block the opposing team, allowing your Jammer to complete laps of the track to score points. 1 lap equals 1 point.
For more information about the rules and how the game is played, watch this video !
Events
There is an extensive list of Roller Derby events that take place globally, and the UK also hosts some of the major ones! Earlier this year, the Roller Derby World Cup was held in Manchester. Next weekend, the Euroclash will kick off in Newcastle, and the British Roller Derby Championships are ongoing throughout the year. So if you're interested in getting into the sport, there's plenty to watch!