Boston Derby Dames: Roller Derby Revisited
So a couple of weeks after my first foray into the world of women’s roller derby (read it here), I went back for a second viewing. My goal was to gain further insight as to whether what I was watching was sport or some kind of voyeurism akin to mud-wrestling: mostly there just to amuse the audience that was mostly male. What I got was a blowout by the Cosmonaughties against the Nutcrackers, 168-61. I also found some answers to the questions I posed last time around.
To begin with, there is too much sheer athleticism to call this purely voyeurism. The ability to skate alone suggests as such, but the women of roller derby have to do far more than just skate. The jammers must navigate a pack of aggressive opponents and teammates, find the open seams, and accelerate through them. The pack must control its speed long enough to allow its jammer to get by, then react to whoever becomes the lead jammer by either accelerating or decelerating in an effort to make it easier on the leader (if they’re on the same team) or harder (if they’re on opposite teams). A fast pack will be harder for the lead jammer to catch up to, but it will cause the pack to space out, making it easier for the jammer to pass once she gets there. Meanwhile, a slow pack will be reached sooner by the jammer (who must complete a full lap before she can score), but it will remain tighter together, making penetration more difficult. If all of this sounds like strategy to you, it should.
On top of all that, there’s real, aggressive checking in this sport (and I think in the end it IS a sport). The women hit each other, and they hit hard. Knocking an opponent down in the pack will make it far easier for your jammer to score points. And knocking a jammer out means a much easier time for your team to score points. This game combines aggression, strategy, and speed. It’s like a combination of NASCAR and hockey, only on roller skates. And quite simply, it’s awesome.
I think in the end the game comes down to who has the fastest jammer on the rink. For this game, it was clearly a woman who went by Lady Shatterly. She was backed up by another more-than-capable jammer in Hayley Contagious. They were the two fastest jammers, and no matter how well the Nutcracker jammers played, they simply could not out-skate the two Cosmo women, who were consistently racking up four to five points (maximum of five) per jam. If you have the best jammers, no matter how well the other pack plays your team is in good shape. The pack can only fend off a jammer for so long before a hole opens up (that’s the nature of a constantly moving pack, similar to zone defense in ultimate frisbee or basketball), and a quick jammer will always penetrate that hole.
The last aspect of the game that lends credence to its status as a true sport is the strategy involved in coaching the team. You have to balance the playtime of your jammers so as not to tire them out, but you can’t keep them on the sidelines forever lest the other team get back into the game. So it all comes down to a balancing act, and this is where the strength of your bench jammers plays into it. Just like in basketball, a strong bench can keep your starters fresh and rested for the final minutes of the game. But a weak bench will lead to tired jammers who just don’t have the strength to fight through the pack anymore.
Overall, I had a much better time the second time around at Roller Derby. I was able to better see the game for what it is: a sport featuring solid athletes, same as any other. It has the strength of hockey, the speed of football (think running backs slicing through the line), and the balance and poise of ice skating. I would encourage everyone to check it out.
Tags: roller derby
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Thanks for checking us out a second time! We really appreciate this kind of article (ie – one that recognizes the legitimacy of roller derby as sport).
One thing that is a bit of a correction from what is stated is that “jams” go for a full two minutes and a jammer can earn as many as 35 points (the current record) per jam (not 5 as stated).
Thanks again for coming to see us!
Shellby Shattered
Boston Massacre
Boston Derby Dames
I’d like to second Shattered’s thanks for an article that recognizes our sport for what it is – a true sport that requires speed, strength, agility and strategy, like any other sport. Women’s roller derby has fought for a long time to gain legitimacy and we appreciate your recognition and the time you’ve taken to understand many of the finer strategic points of our game.
In addition, we all truly appreciate getting sports recognition and not being limited to the “Lifestyle” section of most traditional media. Thanks, and hope to see you again at one of our bouts!
Kitty Twister
Nutcrackers
Thank you so much for coming back! The comparisons you make between derby and other, more established sports are valid. I also play hockey, and can honestly say that derby is more physically demanding and has just as much teamwork and strategy.
Many of the women who play derby are former high school and college athletes from a variety of sports. Derby offers an opportunity to continue competing at a high level, and we’re thrilled that our fans appreciate it!
Lady Shatterly
Cosmonaughties
I do think you meant to say the jammers can earn up to 5 points per pass (which is true). Technically they can pass as many times possible in a jam – but they only have two minutes, or until the lead calls it. That strategy of timing “calling it off” is very critical as it can be the difference between a 4-0 or a 4-4 jam (or even a negative point gain).
If the jammer keeps lapping it becomes sheer math as you have so excellently pointed out. The fastest jammers I’ve seen can do 8 laps a minute with really good packs. First lap there’s no score, so scoring potential becomes dependent on how slow the blockers can keep the pack. Maybe some day we’ll see a 50 point jam.
This was an awesome article and I want to thank you so much for it on behalf of the world-wide derby community. May I also point out to you, derby’s unique sporting aspect – offense and defense simultaneously. It’s a thinking skater’s game.
Bitches Bruze
#802 Western Mass Destruction
Pioneer Valley Roller Derby
Awesome article and thank you for taking another look.
While having the fastest jammers does help win game, but it is not the only to do so. There teams out there who work so well at blocking that they can stop the fastest jammers for a while allowing their own possibly slower jammers to get through and rack points.
Montreal recently won against Carolina in Raleigh pretty much for that reason, we managed to stop their jammer cold for most jams while ours racked up the points. 135 to 29 for Montreal.
So if the score is high for either or both teams, it tends to mean more is need on their blocking as a team.
Nameless Whorror
Montreal Roller Derby
OMG, what a great article. The roller derby is an amazing sport and I love it. Your article is excellent. I remember the first experience at the derby, you needed someone to explain it to you. Otherwise waaay to confusing to figure out.
Go Boston Derby Dames, You all are amazing.
Peggy
Great article! Thanks for taking the time to give our sport the credit it deserves!
Have fun watching the awesome ladies of BDD all season long!
Carnivorous Licks
Gold Coast Derby Grrls
Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Great article!
The neat thing about roller derby is that it’s like an onion. OK, with the skaters’ pads it does smell bad, but that’s not what I’m getting at.
There are multiple layers to the game. Yes, it’s got women on roller skates knocking each other around.
Beyond that it’s got the jammers and call-off strategy. Then it’s got pack speed control and the battle for the front.
One team trying to speed the pack by walling up front, while the other tries to pick off a blocker and isolate her (as their “goat”) in the back of the pack. With these kinds of strategies, even a jam with only one jammer can make for some interesting play.
Does a jammer want to head for the inside (obvious and fast, but often walled up), the outside (slower, riskier, but often unguarded) or try to slip through the middle?
The nice thing is that even once you get all the finer points, it’s still got attractive women in skirts knocking one another down. As far as “mostly men” is concerned, a recent demographics survey by WFTDA reveals that slightly more of the derby audience is female than it is male. This is something that hasn’t changed since the 1940s/50s. Roller derby is a sport that appeals to women as well as men. Perhaps even more so.
It is definitely not just jammer speed & agility that wins bouts. Go back again & focus on the blockers building walls, breaking them down, etc. Jammers may score the points, but having good blockers on your side wins the bout.
Keep the good vibes coming! Thanks for the positive coverage. For the teams that are just building (like mine) it’s incredibly important for the press to legitimize the skills and reduce the stereotypes surrounding our beloved skates.
Mountain Storm
Mad Knockers
Monadnock Roller Derby
Thanks to all you lovely ladies for reading my article! I never knew it would be so popular! And I appreciate everyone fleshing out the game strategy for me. Had a blast! And to Lady Shatterly- of the two matches I attended, you were by far the best jammer I saw. I wanted to include a link to your derby dames bio, but I couldn’t find one. Nor could I find any on some of the previous teams you played for. Sorry about that.
-The author
Great article! Its always fun to see fans understand and respect the sport.
As above, thanks for putting this article together and giving your audience a view of Roller Derby through the eyes of a sports writer.
As a referee I can safely assure you that it’s not only the skaters who take this game as seriously as any other sport. The rules and referees adhere keep the sport competitive, enjoyable, and most importantly of all safe. You’ll find the players, volunteers, and referees have all given hours, blood, sweat, tears, etc, to maintain operation on this crazed machine.
I also couldn’t help but chuckle at the Nascar/Hockey comparison, as I’ve previously used that exact phrase to describe it to a friend.
-Patricide , Roller Derby Referee
How refreshing! Thank you
Really fine article, Matt, and an excellent comment above by one of the experts on derby, Grand Poobah. From a purely spectator’s standpoint, derby is a pretty cerebral sport.
Nicely done, I really appreciated your zone defense analogy.
I find that the most successful jammers have a similar skill-set to that of an NFL running back: very rapid acceleration, an ability to see a path through the defenders, and footwork that produces quick lateral movement.
Excellent article Matt! Keep watching. As you say, having a fast and skilled jammer is essential, but as I watch the sport evolve, I notice that it is becoming more and more about pack control. Think about football: every team needs a fast and agile running back, but without an offensive line the running back is at the mercy of the defense.
Played at its highest level, roller derby is as fine a sport as I have ever watched.
[...] I explained in my analysis of roller derby, any time women’s athletics meets violence there will be an issue of “validity.” [...]
[...] I explained in my analysis of roller derby, any time women’s athletics meets violence there will be an issue of “validity.” [...]