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The best thing about roller derby is
that it is a sport which does not bother about your physique and
skills. Almost anyone with a passion for the game can play the
game. The roller derby leagues hold organized practice sessions
to teach the rules and techniques of skating. It begins with
stretching and warm up exercises. They also learn skills of
maneuvering like dodging, jumping over people and so on. It also
involves traditional roller derby drills and modified hockey
drills to improve skating. Mock fights and noisy bouts are also
common and done in an effort to see that no one is hurt.
Rules of
Roller Derby
Although the game of derby looks like a free for all sport, it
has a set of rules which define everything from the play to
sporting behaviour. The rules vary from league to league. Some
rules affect jammers and how they earn points.
The most
common rules for jammers are
• Jammers must ensure that they are in bounds when they pass
opponents to receive points
• They are not entitled to points if they pass or foul a player
or pass a player who is on the way to the penalty box. They do
not get additional points if they fall to the back of the pack
and pass the same players again.
• Jammers receive additional points for lapping opponents and
also for each opposing player in the penalty box if they pass
all the other opponents in bounds.
Other rules govern their conduct during the bout. Players should
not grab, pull or trip one another although blocking is legal.
They cannot block from behind or prevent out-of-bounds opponents
from getting back on the track. They should not use their elbows
above the shoulder or block with completely extended arms.
If players break rules they have to
spend time in the penalty box. Major penalties include fighting,
using foul language, unsporting behavior, violation of rules and
so on. In case of these major penalties, players can be expelled
from the game. Sometimes they are subjected to comical
punishments like sumo wrestling or backwards-skating
competitions.
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