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DEFINITIONS
Teams - A maximum of 14 girls. No more than 5 skating on the track at any one time: 1 Pivot, 1 Jammer, and 3 Blockers.
Game - Two periods played between two teams.
Period - 14 minutes of derby action.
Pack - At the start of the jam the pack is comprised of the pivots and blockers from both teams. However, the pack is defined as the majority of these players skating in proximity. If a player skates too fast ahead of the others, or she falls and is left behind, she is no longer part of the pack. Players out of position must attempt to return to the pack. They are penalized if they block or assist more than 20 feet from the pack.
Starting Formation - Players line up in 3 rows, in groups of 2-4-2. Pivots up front and blockers behind. The Jammers start 20ft. behind the pack. Skating no more than arm's length apart is the ideal pack positioning.
Jam - 2 minute phase during which Jammers try to score points by passingby opposing team members. A jam may be called of by a referee, the Lead Jammer, or the clock. There are usually 8 - 12 james per period.
POSITIONS
Jammer - The primary point-scorer, the Jammer must pass the pack once, then each opposing team member she laps is a point scored for her team. The first Jammer through the pack while staying in bounds is designated the Lead Jammer, and can call off the jam by placing her hands on her hips. The Jammer is identified by the star on her helmet.
Pivot - The Pivot sets the pace for the pack and is the last line of defense. She is also responsible for calling out plays on a moment's notice; all skaters look to this position for guidance. The Pivot is identified by the stripe on her helmet.
Blocker - Blockers try to stop the opposing team's Jammer. Blockers may also knock around the opposing team's Blockers to assist their own Jammer through the pack.
THE JAM IS ON!!!!
Once the pack has lined up, the referee blows the whistle; the pack takes off. At the double whistle, the Jammers sprint to get to the front of the pack. The jam will last 2 minutes unless it is called off by the Lead Jammer, a referee, or the clock runs out. The end of a jam is indicated by a quad-whistle blow by a referee.
SCORING POINTS!
Jammers only score points if they stay inbounds and do not commit a penalty as they pass the opposing Pivot or Blockers. She cannot score more than one point even if she passes the same skater multiple times until she laps the pack again. If an opponent is in the penalty box, the Jammer gets the point as if they passed them so long as they score against all other opponents in the pack. A Jammer scores an extra point if she laps the opposing Jammer. The Jammer can try "passing the star" by handing her helmet cover to her own pivot and thus exchange roles for the rest of the jam.
BAD DERBY GIRL!!
Warnings: Referees have the discretion to warn a skater without assigning her a penalty.
Minor Penalties: If the Referee blows the whistle at a skater it will usually be for a minor foul.
These penalties are recorded by the statistician. Accumulate four minors and the skater goes to
the penalty box for 60 seconds. The most common minor penalties include:
- Illegal use of hands or forearms
- Blocking from behind
- Blocking more than 20 feet forward of or behind the pack
- Intentional cutting the track or skating out of bounds
- False start
Major Penalties: These infractions result in an immediate 60 second stay in the penalty box:
- Any form of illegal block deemed a serious threat to other skaters, such as blocks above the shoulders or below the hips.
- Tripping
- Excessive insubordination to a referee
- Gross unsports-lady- like conduct
Fighting: When skaters lose their tempers and engage in fights the Penalty Mistress will deal
with them.
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