Roller Derby explained

Jammers try to break through the pack to score.
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Mystified by Roller Derby? Here is a quick synopsis - you might want to keep it for reference!

Each team fields four blockers and one jammer, for a total of ten skaters on the track at a time.

The jammers are the point-scorers for their team: they wear a star on their helmets, and start behind the blockers. On their first trip through the pack, the jammers do not score points – they are instead fighting for lead jammer position. That means they must be the first to break through the pack without getting knocked out of bounds and without getting any penalties.

The lead jammer referee will signal who is lead jammer by making an “L” formation with their arms, pointing at the jammer with lead jammer status. The lead jammer has the advantage of being able to call off the jam at any time before its natural conclusion (2 minutes).

Once the jammers have lapped the pack once, they can now score points for each opposing skaters’ hips they pass legally (in bounds and without getting a penalty on).

It is not easy though! The opposing teams’ blockers will be impeding the jammer’s movement through the pack while trying the clear a path for their jammer.

You can also check out this video for another explanation

The best way to understand the excitement of derby? Come check it out in person!