Roller Derby

sports · roller skating · team sport · contact sport

Five skaters per team. Each roller derby team has five players on the track at once. One is the jammer (who scores points), three are blockers (who protect their jammer), and one is the pivot (who can become a jammer if needed).

Racing around ovals. Roller derby is played on an oval track, kind of like a smaller indoor race track. Teams lap each other while blockers use smart positioning and legal contact to help their jammer score.

Contact sport done safely. Roller derby allows controlled contact like checking in hockey, but with rules to keep everyone safe. Skaters wear protective gear including helmets, knee pads, and wrist guards.

Popular worldwide. About 1,250 amateur roller derby leagues exist around the world, with the most leagues in the United States. The sport has grown a lot since it started becoming popular again in the early 2000s.

Awesome team names. Roller derby teams often have creative, funny names that show the sport's playful spirit and local pride.