LiVe DeRBY

The Innovators Approach: Mind For Play Design

2014-10-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

Now more than ever in roller derby, teams are executing designed plays. In my opinion, less than a handful of the top teams display some mastery of using fundamental positioning, space, and movement to create advantageous situations. Maybe only 2 or 3. Again, that being my opinion as an outside observer. It could be that they are just executing better than the rest, but I'll go out on a limb and assume, their fundamental understanding of the elements of roller derby is deeper and vaster. I think its time to share part of an approach that I use to design plays. The approach is common among innovators throughout history.

My Process

Part of the way my mind inherently works is, in my opinion a key step in the innovator's approach. My mind is constantly innovating... it's quite overwhelming at times. I may not sleep much for several days at a time because my mind is so active creating. My process is probably very different from others. On the Myers-Briggs, I'm an INFJ. According to Myers-Briggs, INFJ make up 1-3% of the population. I'm pretty sure the way I process is not the way most people process. You may not relate to this blog post at all. Anyway, if you happen to have an INFJ in your life, this might help help you understand them. To give you some background into how I've arrived with my method, I'm going to attempt to describe to you how I process the world around me.

The first step is, I absorb my environment. I become it. It becomes me... kinda. Basically, all of my senses are used to perceive everything around me, all the time. All. The. Time. I am not even fucking joking. Part of this perceiving process though, is much harder to explain. I think I have to reiterate that I FEEL MY ENVIRONMENT. For example: the ground, trees, walls, floors, pavement, cars, electric transformers, electronic devices, PEOPLE. Needless to say it's pretty intense. But, I feel other things, too. I literally feel people's energy. Their moods and emotions which are driven by their thoughts. People are literally wearing them! It's like an aura, but I don't see colors like people talk about, and it's all just oozing out of them. For me, processing and then responding is usually more productive, than reacting with what will most likely be a sort of base behavior or thought(s). Predictable. I think of keeping my cool as a "response-ability", or more simply, maintaining my "ability to respond". Not always, but most of the time, I have a pretty good idea what's coming next. I continually grown more and more sensitive throughout my life.

The second step, put the pieces together. quite literally actually. It's like a puzzle. Every sense brings in data. pieces of the big picture. I keep putting the pieces together in various arrangements until my intuition tells me I'm on the right path. It's a feeling. a powerful feeling. It's a very energizing event. I experience intuition as a moment. I become completely lucid, and my mind races. The puzzle piecing can become very vigorous and often very exciting at this point. kinda depends on the subject matter. This process continues as pieces are arranged and rearranged, often times producing complete components of the bigger picture. I don't track how many processes I have going on. It's kind of futile. I've tried, and it's not pretty. I can spend my life trying to organize all the data and processes, ooooor I can have a life. Which leads us to the next step.

The third step. Intuition. I've already explained intuition a little, so I'm going to expand some. really, all I'm doing is... are you ready? ... being patient. I've had to learn to not act immediately on my logic and reasoning. this world isn't always what it seems. people... aren't always who they seem. But, I don't have to tell you that, I'm sure you've all walked this earth enough to experience it for yourself. because I had math and science and a black and white world sort of shoved down my throat while my perception and intuition were developing as a child, I had a lot of difficulty resolving the feelings E was having with what I could see, hear, touch, smell, taste. Nobody was teaching me about this. I probably didn't even know the word "intuition"! but as I started to notice my strongest feelings were actually driven by my intuition, I took note. For many, many, years I denied my intuition. almost always, I let my logic and reason overrule my "feelings". I made a lot of bad decisions as a kid. all while chalking up each instance I denied my feelings for logic, and as a result fell on my face. As a young adult, I finally gave in. I stopped fighting myself so hard, and started using my intuition more. Trusting in it. A whole new world was opening up to me. sometimes, I just had to wait. it's ok. I have lots of other processes to work on and new ones to start! I learned to be patient and not pass judgement until my intuition told me it was time. Sometimes these intuitions come instantly, sometimes they are taking forever? Yeah. Some of my processes have been going on for decades producing tidbits throughout my life. I suspect they won't end until I'm dead... hopefully.

I know that's a lot of info, and most of it probably not very useful for you. I wanted to share it though, in case you try to design plays, fail, and then think my method doesn't work. Innovation is actually a bit larger a process. Roller derby happens to be simple enough though, that plays can be created around concepts, by collecting the pieces and then arranging them in various configurations.

Puzzle Piecing = Design

The component I really want to focus on is the puzzle piecing. Arranging the "data" or pieces until they fit. If they don't fit, they just float around the ethers until they find a fit. The plays I've designed for derby have worked, in my opinion, because they are comprised of smaller components, all of which are proven to be effective on their own. I rely heavily on my intuition to guide this process, but I believe this part of the process can be used by anyone to design plays. Obviously, it takes a creative mind and determination to make something out of nothing. I usually have the energy from my intuition "ahas" to drive my puzzle piecing. It would probably bore the hell out of most people, but designed plays and their successful execution is how the great are separating from the good... at least at this point in wftda roller derby.

To achieve this creative state you have to think like an visionary. Using all the pieces to build what you may imagine. I mostly use fundamentally sound concepts and techniques as components to create larger, more complex plays. This leads me to believe, even though most of my plays have never been implemented or used (at least from what I've watched in derby), that they will work. Most of the untested plays need tweaking when learning to apply them. This is also a key component to innovation according to Galileo's* beliefs on the innovator's process. Which I agree with. Their mission: to create a world of fearless innovators. Radical, if you ask me. Here's a list of principles of Galileo's* approach and mindset...

I AM VISIONARY
I envision a better world
I imagine things that don’t exist yet
I believe it’s my place to turn ideas into reality

I AM COURAGEOUS
I freely share my creative thoughts
I stretch myself to try new things
I embrace challenges

I AM COLLABORATIVE
I value the unique perspectives of others
I build on the ideas of others
I use my strengths to support the work of others

I AM DETERMINED
I persevere until I achieve my goal
I recognize setbacks as opportunities to learn
I know that innovation and mastery require effort

I AM REFLECTIVE
I take time to think about what is and isn't working in my design
I think about how my work impacts other people and the world
I seek feedback to improve myself and my work

Remember "Tsunami"? Probably not, I thought it up back in 2011 and taught it to the Charlottesville Derby Dames. I later posted it on my blog in 2012. One of the first times I witnessed a team using this basic play in any semblance of order and execution was Bay Area vs Denver in 2013 playoffs. rdjunkies captured this in a gif titled Power Jam Offense: Delayed O. Teams were vaguely using this concept at the time, and now lots of teams are using this play. It is actually based off a concept called "screening or "picking" in other sports. If you're unfamiliar, take a gander at "The Pick". Even before I'd seen these plays actually executed in game play, my understanding of roller derby and how the these plays work in other sports, led me to believe this play would work on our oval. I also used the same approach to design formations and how to use them. Another concept I introduced to CDD in 2010 was the Diamond Formation. Nowadays, I hear live stream announcers saying it all the time! "So-and-so-team is holding up so-and-so-jammer with diamond defense." Or something to that effect. Lots of teams utilize some variation of the Diamond Formation now! Wait till you get a glimpse of some of the plays in my eViL Manifesto of Roller Derby. You may hear of a power jam strategy I call "Rewind" in the next year or so. When pulled off well, I predict will be devastating if not countered properly. I plan on letting the team I coach currently, the Silicon Valley Roller Girls, debut it for the public. We just started working on it, and should have it tight enough to pull off next season some time. Hopefully, you'll get to witness it in a couple years when it trickles up to some of the top roller derby teams. Then maybe, I'll share the details. Maybe. Until then, if you wanna see what it is, you're gonna have to buy a ticket to see us in action. ;) Like Silicon Valley Roller Girls on Facebook to find out about our upcoming events!

Remember, to create, one is best served "thinking outside-the-box". It gives the mind the most expansive space possible to go wild. One must be willing to challenge oneself and the systems already in place. Well designed plays can be clever and cute, and some can be down right nasty. So think radically! (and if you do create something as a result of my blog, I would love it if you shared!)

*Galileo markets itself as an "innovation camp for kids". What little I know of Galileo's camp, I find impressive and wish it was around when I was a kid.

The Zone

2013-05-13T21:42:00.001-07:00

Every athlete strives to be an impact player in the sport they play. As roller derby continues to catch the attention of athletes of other sports, the physical and mental training becomes more and more similar to that of popular sports (soccer, football, basketball, and whoa! hockey?!!!). We want to skate the best we can, so we train for many hours strengthening our mind-body connection. What the hell did I just say?! That's right. Mind-body, like yoga, and hippie, new-agey stuff. An innate sense of your body and what it is capable of, and being able maximize it's abilities. There's no doubt that practicing a bunch will help an athlete improve at their sport. The training of body and physical ability will maximize your skills and chances of success, physically. An aspect of athletic training that has been overlooked for a long time is the mental game. It is still a bit of a mystery, but as we emulate the world's top athletes, we in the derbyverse are learning the value of the mental aspect of training and preparation.

Being "in the zone," is the ever elusive, magically tuned connection of the mind-body; when athletes seem to be always at the right place at the right time and are unstoppable. Some describe being "in the zone" as, "everything is in slow motion... I just knew what to do." I think of being "in the zone" as a perfectly mixed cocktail of adrenaline, endorphins, physical training and preparedness, mental/emotional state, and empathy. The physical discipline of training and warming up and a Surge of Andrinaline (Silicon Valley Roller Girls, see what I did there?) helps our muscles to their maximum power output. The mental preparation maximizes our focus and adaptability. But what is it that gives us the god-like awareness, timing, and body intelligence of a perfect mind-body connection and being "in the zone?" Athletes who have been "in the zone," are always hoping it happens again. So, how do we accomplish the feat? Here's the thing... I don't know, and neither does anyone else. That's why it's elusive. Duh.

So why am I writing this blog post? Because I do believe we, as individuals, have the power to train ourselves toward that magical moment of being "in the zone." The physical training being an important factor in informing ourselves what our body is capable of (and strengthen the neural pathways). The other magical god-like part, well, let's just say, "if we could put it in a pill..." It's almost as if there's a button; a trigger, so to speak, that turns it on. But, what that trigger is on any given day, can be totally random. I know, lots of help, right? Read on...

From watching sports my entire life, and witnessing some of the greatest athletes of all time perform "in the Zone," I've learned that the mental game is the most important factor to being "in the zone" than anything else. For instance, Michael Jordan has been known to play some of his best games while sick with the flu. He did it multiple times, so we know it's not just a fluke... and no, the flu is not the trigger for getting "in the zone." My theory on why he played really well while sick: I believe because of his perceived handicap (the flu and it's insult to his body), his drive as a competitor really showed. Jordan, knowing his energy would have to be managed with more care than on a healthy day, forced himself to approach the game with more efficiency. To do this, in my opinion, he became more in tune with himself, his teammates, and opponents. Jordan rose to the occasion and became more aware of himself and his surroundings a bit more acutely, and had performances "in the zone" or in the same zip code. Whether he was actually "in the zone" or not, can be speculated. I think he was... at least part of the time.

The mental game is ever important to an athlete's performance; being mentally and emotionally present helps focus, execution, stamina, and very importantly empathy. When we play (not just derby, but really anything... games, music, etc), we are generally in a state of joy, or awe, and our energy is wide open. We are happy and play with composure, vigor, and intuition. Ever had so much fun playing you felt like you were floating on your smiles? Roller Derby... It's a powerful drug. Being open and empathic to your surroundings (ie, blockers, jammers, officials, coaches) will give you a lot of information even beyond what you can see, hear, and touch. What you can intuit. Like a sixth sense, an informed intuition guides us better than any over-thought strategy, and allows us to perform with confidence... a vision, a knowing that we will succeed. Most of the time, we need to trust in our training and get our doubts out of the way of our mind-body connection.

In order for people to play in a state of joy, we also have to learn to manage our stressors (work, relationships, money, negative self-talk, etc.) so our minds are free to perceive, intuit, and create as we play. Having been living on this planet a while, I've noticed most people have negative self-talk. It's hugely prevalent in derby! Doubting, insecurity, blame, distrust, etc... It's all a real bummer to your energy and the energy of the people around you. You may think no one notices, and consciously, maybe no one does. But, our intuition, and the intuition of those around you, know what's up. Negative emotions will almost definitely block you from reaching "the zone." On the flip-side, a positive outlook, and laser focus determination will do just the opposite, and invite "the zone" to happen. You don't have to take my word for it, try it for yourself. Examine if you play better while frustrated, angry, anxious, sad, or happy, excited, enthused. I'm willing to bet 8 of 10 will skate better, communicate more, have better awareness, and have more swagger while happy and positive.

"The Zone" is truly the pinnacle of an athlete's performance, and we can take the steps to increase our chances of getting in "The Zone." Actually reaching "The Zone" is an athletic alchemy, but through focused physical and mental training and a strong mind-body connection, we can achieve a normal state of play that is similar to being "in the zone," and will most likely be "in the zone" more often. It takes a lot of work... So stop reading this BS and put on your friggin skates!!!

The Sweet Spot

2012-08-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

The Sweet Spot is a term used in baseball to describe the section of a bat that causes the most rebound to a baseball. If you're a baseball fan, too, you know what a sweet spot impact sounds like. In roller derby, I think of the "sweet spot" as the portion(s) of a skater's body that can be engaged to control their movement.

A skater choosing to evade their opponent, are attempting to make their sweet spot as small as possible or wholly inaccessible to threatening blockers using speed (or a change of), trajectory, and/or posture. In general, a skater's sweet spot is located somewhere from just below their hips to their solar plexus, wrapping around the torso. It's trivial to lay out a target that is at a static speed, direction, and posture, but when a skater has command of those elements, they can make it very difficult to engage... let alone, legally.

A jammer with superior control of the key elements of derby skating, make their sweet spot so elusive that blockers rarely (or maybe even never?) get a clean hit. Utilize as many elements as possible... changing levels (Bean Dip and Pop Up), stops to slow down and quick burst strides to speed up, footwork and edging to change trajectory, and transitions to minimize available legal targets to your opponent and shrink your sweet spot. Keep your frontside and hips away from oncoming blockers or use them to preempt or counter block.

To access an opponent's "Sweet Spot," steak or lobster is probably a good start. Seriously though, to block an opponent, all the key elements play a part in controlling an opposing skater. It's a good rule of thumb for blockers to target their opponents' hips, because their sweet spot is in there somewhere :P The best blockers have great timing and have a knack for getting to a skater's sweet spot.

The solid contact of a well delivered hit feels oh soooo good.

While a jammer sliding right by an ineffective hit is as disappointing as someone touching you in the morning then walking away :(

I hope this helps some of you wrap your brain around juking and evading, and blocking in new light. Not all legal target zones are created equal... some are sweeter than others. Jammers, give up your sweet spot like a nun during Lent. Blockers sharpen your game to Pooty Tang proportions and "sine your pitty on the runny kine!" on your opponents' sweet spot... dafuq?

Don't Sweat The Technique: Derby Stance Zen

2012-08-09T14:35:00.001-07:00

Really? Derby Stance is the first thing I'm gonna write about after a short hiatus from the blogoshpere? YES, it is. In all athletics, fundamentals are sooooo important for peak performance, and ease and speed of learning new techniques. Posture is probably the single most important fundamental.

Derby Stance is difficult and confusing for most people new to roller derby. Unless starting derby with a heavy skating background, a person typically hasn't built the musculature and coordination to hold a proper Derby Stance for very long. On top of that, we have to lean left most of the time! It's like programming your body at an angle... makes you wish you had a V8... or think you're hungover.

A proper athletic stance is almost universal in all sports... with minor variations. When your coach is yelling at you to get low, they don't mean grab your ankles like a stripper, the mean BEND YOUR KNEES! Bending at the waist like a speed skater reduces wind resistance and is great when you need maximum speed, like when you're doing your lap to the back of the pack, and helps stability while cornering. But, to maximize your quickness and agility, BALANCE is a primary fundamental, and bending your knees and keeping your head up are keys to balance.

HEAD UP is #1. Through my exposure to multiple sports, martial arts, and Alexander Technique, I've learned that the big weight at the top of your spine is a key element to a humans balance. A perfect example of head based balance is a baby standing in someone's hand like in this video clip.

Try this with a derby girl!

Proper balance can alleviate the muscles' workload tremendously. When a person is bent too far forward at the waist, then the back and neck muscles have a workload other than solely stabilizing their trunk and head. Meaning the back and neck muscles are constantly on, instead of firing when needed. This may be an unnecessary expenditure of energy and can compromise balance and quickness. Furthermore, the always on muscles are more likely to burnout. When the head is properly balanced, it's basically floating on top of it's atlas (top most vertebrae). This allows for stabilizer muscles to be freed up to stabilize instead of lift. I call it the "Zen of Balance." The closer you are to this "Zen," the quicker you will be able to transition from technique to technique. Remember to return to your "Zen" after every maneuver, even if you're just passing through to get to the next technique, and you're more likely to skate clean. All this, and I haven't even mentioned that keeping your head up can maximize your field of vision.

Shoulders should be up and back. Up doesn't mean shoulders to your ears, it mean upright and not crouched over. Imagine your shoulders blades down your back a little bit. You should be relaxed in this position. Being relaxed allows the muscles to work more efficiently, generally translating to more speed.

Bend at the knees about as much as you bend at your hips. Your torso should be at about the same angle as your lower leg. Get into a deeper squat for more stability when it's needed, but avoid getting too low without a purpose. Getting low will let your legs act as shock absorbers and stabilizers for your body and put them under load so that you can spring into action. Think how a snake curls up before it strikes. Avoid knock-knees as much as possible. Arch supports may help correct knock-knees and even help prevent injury.

All of the above elements contribute to proper balance and can aid in the understanding of body mechanics while learning new techniques or perfecting old ones. Head up is by no means a universal posture to be used at all times. It's a base to start maneuvers from and reset to. If you're ever having difficulty with transitions, for instance, think of your spine and head as the axis for your body to turn on. If you find yourself off balance while practicing a new move, see if aligning your spine and head helps.

Some of you may have to rebuild your skating style and arsenal of derby moves to apply anything in this blog post. If you're willing to take it on, though, I guarantee it'll be worth it. Your front to back weight distribution will even out, and your skating will improve. You may even find that it becomes easier to learn new moves!

Choosing Rosters...

2012-06-12T12:29:00.002-07:00

Rosters... We all want to be on one, but sometimes there's just not enough room. The joy and disappointment of being chosen to play in the next bout or not leaves lots of skaters depressed, stressed, or jumping out of their skates. For coaches, trainers, and whoever else participates in choosing a roster, there's a whole set of mental processes that can occur. Rosters are stressful to deal with cause there's so much time, energy, and money that goes into skating. The investment and personal sacrifice that skaters choose to make in order to have a chance at donning their skates on the track is usually quite substantial and intensifies the emotions and stress.

There are many methods for choosing a roster. In my mind, the process would ideally be fair and transparent. Sometimes though, the process is not. Inherently, judgement is subjective no matter how hard we try to unbiased. Since I haven't found an effective way to choose a roster that eliminates human subjectivity, there are a couple elements that I believe are important for those that do choose a roster. First, the persons should understand the skills and abilities, the importance of them, and be able to assess those in a skater. Second, the persons need to observe those individuals A LOT. Meaning they have to be at a lot of practices. Third, those persons must be able to put their personal relationships aside, as much as possible to minimize the influence of politics. Fourth, there should be more than one person involved in choosing a roster. I've found that these elements are difficult to achieve for a person let alone a group of people, and then to have them agree in conclusion? Eeeesh!

Something that I find common during that crucial time when a team is choosing a roster is the intensity of politics seems to ramp up. The worst part of that is roster choosers actually bullying other roster choosers to get their way. Bullying is in no way empowering or inspiring, and will eventually eat at the integrity of a league. Instead engage in a discussion and be prepared to use empirical evidence to support your opinions. If you're not able to do that, it becomes obvious that there is something outside of ability and knowledge driving your roster choice. In a sport where lots of players were not athletes before participating, and the attraction of people who have been athletes before doing derby, some players will improve in skill and surpass those that have been skating longer. It's makes for a difficult choice when the sister (or brother) you've been skating with is competing with a newer skater that is comparable in ability, or better. For the love of roller derby and Spike Lee, do the right thing.

Personally, I've never had to fight for a roster spot, but I've observed many times how people respond to making a roster and not. Whether a skater doesn't meet attendance requirements, lacks the skill or knowledge, or isn't socially connected enough, not making a roster can be a very discouraging experience. It doesn't have to be! I look at roller derby as series of opportunities for growth and maturity (quote me on that when I don't make a roster). We all encounter numerous opportunities to keep a positive perspective... and we all make mistakes. But the great thing is, we can try again later... since we go in circles all day. A lot of people have the tendency to generate negative thoughts... they may beat themselves up, or blame others... being negative is easy. To be supportive, uplifting, and positive during duress and difficulty is transcendent... and even more importantly, inspiring. This may be the single most important factor between being a good athlete, and being a great athlete. Developing your mental game is a huge part of being an athlete, so get started.

I'd like to hear how your league or leagues you know choose rosters. You can omit league names and remain anonymous if it violates any privacy. I'm sure readers would love to learn of different methods in case they'd like to change the process in their own leagues. Please leave some info.

Don't Sweat The Technique: Pivot Block

2012-05-28T15:48:00.003-07:00

As the overall skill level of roller derby skaters rise, we witness more and more advanced (read: shmancy) techniques. I'm sure you've all noticed an increase in blockers skating backwards, and jammers spinning and jumping the apex. They're all very exciting to watch and awe-inspiring. Some people exclaim that they're showing off, but that's really not the case. These advanced techniques are being used because they are EFFECTIVE. Take the time to practice and learn them, and you'll come to the same conclusion.

Even with the rise in backwards blocking and spin moves, "Pivot Blocks" are still a rarity. And even more rare, a successfully executed one. A "Pivot Block" is essentially a block performed while transitioning from forward facing to backward or vice versa. Because the vast majority of derby skaters still get nervous while doing their transitions and especially nervous in tight quarters, let alone making contact during their transitions, it's rarely attempted except by the most skilled and confident skaters. Quick and confident footwork is essential for a good "Pivot Block," and success in roller derby in general.

"Pivot Blocks" are effective for a couple of reasons... The first, and probably more obvious reason, is the momentum generated from the spin of the transition. The momentum will carry a force that can be applied with shoulders or hips or both for a significant increase in power with little increase in applied strength. The second reason a "Pivot Block" is effective, is that it disguises the timing and placement of a block to the receiver. We are accustomed to seeing blockers approach with shoulder and hips in the standard of forward skating, but we're not so used to watching blockers coming at us with body parts while spinning. That statement kinda reminds me of the Tasmanian Devil from Bugs Bunny cartoons.

The Ultimate Pivot Block?

A "Pivot Block" can be delivered while skating alongside the target or by swooping in, just like any other block, but the swooping block is more apt to be successful and coordinated when delivered with the hips. To utilize the momentum from the transition into a forceful block, you're gonna want to make sure that the block makes contact just as the transition is finishing. Transitioning too early or too late will negate the power from the spin, and may put you in an awkward position and balance when contact is made. So the timing of the approach and the spin can be crucial. It'll probably take a lot of practice to get it right. Please be careful to not make contact while skating in a clockwise direction! Whether skating along side or swooping into your target you'll want to imagine your finish, or follow through, to be IN your target, as opposed to at the surface of your target. This is a key element in all blocking techniques. If you aim for the surface or your target, your block will lack the power necessary to accomplish a successful block.

In general, when attempting a "Pivot Block" while transitioning from forward to backward, you will want to pivot so that your body parts will approach your target from the front and vice versa while transitioning from backward to forward. "Pivot Blocks can be executed otherwise, but can be a little trickier to do so. I will only attempt shoulder blocks if the target is already in close proximity and pivoting forward to backward. To get a little extra power I may lift my near leg to get more lean into the block if I end making contact with the side of my target. I prefer to use my hips regardless of the direction I am spinning and recommend it because you can attack your target's center of gravity. If I'm swooping, I end up ass first into my target and make contact with my ass and/or back. In that case I may need to counterbalance to make sure I don't fall on my face.

I consider "Pivot Blocks" a pretty advanced technique, and you may find that it is difficult to execute at first and maybe for a while. But with practice, you'll get the hang of it, and I promise you'll become a better skater and blocker whether or not you get proficient enough to use it while scrimmaging or bouting. I'm sure you'll fall a bunch while practicing, but it's a lot of fun. So go find a teammate that doesn't mind taking a few tumbles with you and have a blast!

Paralysis By Analysis

2012-05-22T11:06:00.001-07:00

Ever get frustrated trying to learn a new technique or missing a block? Yeah, I know. Even though we are inherently and beautifully flawed, we expect perfection from ourselves. Not just the first time, but every time. Of course, we don't want to fail at what we do, but is it realistic to hold ourselves to not making mistakes? It's one of the most beautiful aspects of roller derby in my opinion... how dynamic the sport is. We encounter numerous opportunities to learn from our mistakes and give it another go on the next lap. It's really a great analogy to life. We skate in circles, literally, and are offered nearly identical opportunities to succeed where we once failed. The next opportunity might be in the next 10 seconds, so you better make a decision, quick.

There are several different learning styles that we must accommodate for in ourselves. Most people have a primary learning style that they rely on heavily and have secondary learning style that they rely on less, but helps fill in the gaps. Some even have a balance between 2 or 3 different styles of learning and can comprehend information in several ways. Identifying what learning style you tend toward can be enlightening and save you a lot of time. So, give it some thought.

Auditory - those who learn best by hearing. These people may read aloud to themselves or verbalize their thoughts in order to organize and comprehend information.

Visual - those who learn by seeing. Probably the most common learning style, this type of learning lends itself to note taking, reading, colors, and observation.

Kinesthetic/Tactile - those who learn by doing. This group of learners is believed to be a small minority to the other styles of learners. Learners who are heavily kinesthetic are often confused with only auditory and/or visual input. They must engage their bodies and feel to have a complete frame of reference.

Whatever the learning style you lean toward, we still need to program what we learn in roller derby into our bodies. Building the coordination, muscle memory, and trained reactions takes time and energy. We have to program it into our neurology. I equate it to digging a channel where water will flow when in use. The more time and energy I put into digging that channel, the easier, faster, and more plentiful the water that flows through it. This is also true of learning things incorrectly... it will program into your neurology! Those inner voices that beat you up and tell you how much you suck... the more time and energy you put there, the more pronounced those voices will become. We all make mistakes, and in roller derby, it's inevitable we miss plays. So we're better served letting go of perfection, learning from our mistakes, and trying again... hopefully with a different approach.

As a trainer, bench coach, and player, I've witnessed many instances when a player gets down on themselves for making a mistake. If they aren't able to let it go and move on, they will stack their next mistake on top of the last one and so on. They start to over think what they are doing and next thing you know, it's halftime, and that player has effectively taken themselves out of the game. "Paralysis By Analysis." They believe they are having an off day, and they can't do anything right, and are trying to solve it intellectually, but they're lost in the land if negativity and their thoughts are off base. We want to approach the game with intelligence, but we want to avoid getting in our heads and psyching ourselves out. How do we do that? I think it's a personal thing... but in a general sense, STAY POSITIVE! Maybe we're not performing as poorly as we think we are. Maybe our failure is a bi-product of our competition's success. It's not necessarily that we did so poorly, but it could be a case that our competition did really well. We could be doing many things well, but are only focused on our mistakes. Try to use language with yourself that you would with... let's say a 4 year old, laden with positive reinforcement and encouragement. Take a deep breath. Try to take your mind off of what you did poorly, and focus on what you can do next time. Sometimes we just have to let it all go and go out there and play and FEEL the game. We're playing a physical sport, and sometimes we forget to drop into our bodies. Get out of your head! If you're having a hard time staying out of your own self defecating head, turn to your teammates, trainers, or coaches for help. That's what they're there for!

We are our harshest critic. So, remember to be easy on yourself. It's not just you that you are affecting! When you are brooding on the bench or at practice, your energy will affect your teammates. Be mindful of how you focus your energy! You may have to learn to transform negative thoughts and vibes to determination and focus. Build THAT into your neurology! Be honest with what you are capable of and what you are working to be capable of. You've probably heard it before... Roller Derby is 50% mental. Lots of times, I think it's more mental than anything else. We fall. WE PICK OURSELVES UP. We navigate the pack with several people set on holding us back. WE PUSH ON. I really do equate the oval track to life. We go around in circles, repeating patterns until we recognize the need for change, then we try something different the next time around. Success or failure, try something different. You'll learn something new, and at the very least, break the monotony of failing the same way every time.

No Minors Allowed?!

2012-05-17T15:49:00.002-07:00

For the past year, there has been a lot of talk about WFTDA adopting a no minor penalty ruleset. OSDA and MADE rules already provide a rule set with no minor penalties, and many people, fans and skaters alike, feel that it allows for better flow and continuity of game play. Yes, skaters, refs, and coaches may find it easier to not have to bother with minor penalties while managing their bench. In fact there are many reasons why a "no minors" rule set would be easier to manage. The officiating crew would have less work to do sorting and recording penalties, and the players won't have to worry as much about keeping their game play clean. For all the justification of having a "no minors" rule set, is it really what we, as roller derby players and officials want? Do we really need things to be easier? I thought we were do-it-yourselfers that thrived on challenge and blazed our own path in spite of those that didn't believe in us. Are we shying away from that challenge now?

Personally, I believe minor penalties help keep our often chaotic and out of control maneuvers to a minimum. Because there is a consequence for being a bit out of control at times, we as roller derby players, focus our training to become more controlled skaters, and therefore more deft in our skills. Penalties, both major and minor keep us motivated to sharpen our game play, and I believe both the game and individuals benefit. Skaters are already pushing the boundaries with what they can get away with, and now we're thinking about giving them more leeway? The dangers of roller derby are inherent, and for the most part the rules are in place to help keep us safe. I think we all know what would happen if the rules allow more reckless game play and less consequences for it.

In my experience with OSDA and MADE, there's a bit of "honor rule" that skaters are allowed to abide by. It gives the game a more casual feel, allows for less penalties, and some believe more fun. On the other hand, I've seen competitors who take the game seriously enough, that they will get away with what they can. Kinda throws the "honor rule" out the window. Not to say that the sportsmanship is poor, it's the execution of the game play with various levels of competition and seriousness that isn't sorted in black and white. All the rule sets require some judgement on the officials' part, but the more cut and dry the rules are, the more universal the understanding of those rules. I've experienced misunderstanding of legal back blocking playing in MADE rules, where the writers of the rules told me what they meant, and others showed me their interpretation. I didn't appreciate the intentional contact to my spine. The rule was written to reduce penalties being called for more incidental type contact, not so that people can plant a shoulder into another's back. Intentional contact to the spine in any sport, in my opinion, is POOR SPORTSMANSHIP, VERY DANGEROUS, and just plain STUPID. We'll take hits to the back incidentally or accidentally as it is, let's keep it that way. Clearly defined rules and interpretations of those rules will get everybody on the same page and minimize misunderstandings.

WFTDA is in the process of experimenting with "no minors" rules with a modified version of the current rules to gather results and opinions of how they might work or not. Although, I'm not a fan of a "no minors" rule set, I do think the experiment is an interesting one and will lead to changes in the current rules to the benefit of the most popular rule set played to date. Because the rules are being exploited, and to some degree will always be exploited, I foresee that we may witness a hybrid rule set, where some minor penalties are removed from certain types of penalties, others redefined, and others deemed fine as is. For instance, redefining multi-player blocks and pack destruction penalties might benefit the game, as players are learning to exploit those rules to influence the game significantly. The upcoming rule changes will probably be the most significant change in WFTDA history. What changes do you want to see?

Have any thoughts on the subject? I'd like to hear your opinons, so chime in!

Don't Sweat The Technique: Spin To Win

2012-05-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Big hits, jukes, apex jumps... there's many reasons for roller derby fans to "ooh" and "aah." We're enamored with displays of power and grace in all sports. It provides inspiration and awe to see how competition pushes athletes to amazing feats. The short track of roller derby allows skaters to provide the world with plenty of opportunities to witness fantastic athleticism. Spin moves, once a rare spectacle, is becoming more and more common as the level of athleticism increases to dizzying heights. <sometimes I can't resist the cheesy puns>

Skating footwork and fundamentals are so so so important in roller derby, but with so many techniques and strategies to learn, derby skaters often have difficulty making the time to work on the one of the most important elements of roller derby... skating. To execute a spin move cleanly and with balance, a skater needs to be in a good posture. I often refer to hockey players as examples of sound athletic posture on skates. Feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, shoulders and head up. This is ideal for spin moves as it puts the spine in an upright axis to spin around. If a skater is bent forward like a speed skater's stance, one would most likely execute a spin move much slower and create a momentum with their upper body that will send them off balance... it's not impossible, but it'll be a wobble in comparison to proper posture. Good head and spine position will allow for quicker agility and more technique and maneuvering options... it's crucial, so make sure you practice skating in a good athletic posture. It's no wonder it's the pretty much the same in all sports.

Spin moves can be used as an evasive technique, to roll around opponents, or to move laterally while juking opponents. There are slight differences in each use, and I'll try to describe them in detail... If any of them are confusing at all, feel free to shoot me a message.

To avoid oncoming blocks, a spin move can be executed in both directions depending on the position of the block. If the block is positioned more toward the front of your body, you want to spin the front of your body in the direction of the block. For example, if a blocker is coming from your left, you want to spin clockwise. If a block is targeted a bit behind you at your hips, you can spin with your backside spinning in the direction the block. For example, if the a blocker is coming from your left, you want to spin counter clockwise. This same spin will be used to roll around an opponent. If the blocker is targeted neither in front or behind, you will probably have to spin just after the block makes contact to be successful. Otherwise, spin in your direction of choice, but be prepared... the block is so well targeted that you may just get laid out. In this case, a last second speed adjustment to change the situation is recommended.

To roll around an opponent, the spin move will be more of a slow transition from forward skating to mohawk, then to backward. It may be more suitable to transition back to forward if you completely clear your opponent while in mohawk position. When a blocker contacts your side, you will turn that side of our body behind you. This transition will deflect the force of the block away from your center line and can actually harness the force of the block to propel you past your opponent. Occasionally, if executed less than perfect, this technique will leave your chest open to a "Double Tap." So, be aware when trying to roll around your opponent.

The last spin technique is probably the trickiest and most difficult of this bunch. It's very similar to a spin juke used by football players. If you're unfamiliar, check out step 3 in this instructional by LaDainian Tomlinson (start at 0:25)...

Setup a fake move to one side of your opponent with a juke step. Then push off the leg you juke step with to move laterally as you transition to backward skating for a split second. For this step, you can turn 90 degress as opposed to 180 to point the back of your skates toward the direction you are skating. It'll leave you further to turn to finish, but can gain you lateral distance during the transition. Finally, push off the leg furthest from the direction you are laterally moving and finish the transition to a forward facing position. This works best when you can get your opponent to buy your fake to go in the direction opposite of your intended direction, gaining you extra real estate to make the pass. Just like in a "Juke," a head fake may help sell your misdirection attempt.

Give these a try, and have a laugh while you do. It took me a little bit to be able to pull these off, and last one is especially difficult and I still feel awkward doing it at times. Once you achieve some comfort or mastery with these techniques, you'll love the results. It's fun watching the look on blockers' faces while they're wondering where the hell you went!

Derby Gypsies

2012-05-10T11:36:00.002-07:00

Ever seen a roller derby player without a team to play on? There's probably more of them than you think. Roller derby players need a team to practice and play with, but sometimes players get stranded in the nearly invisible pool of free agency. Whether players relocate, leave a team due to differences, or a league just doesn't exist within reasonable distance, there may occur a period of time when a roller derby player finds themselves a bit displaced. Free agents can bite the bullet and drive a long commute to practice, which may burn a hole in their pocket with today's gas prices, or they may decide to tackle the task of starting a new league.

We all have human needs. Needs that we have the responsibility of meeting in order to be healthy and happy. Roller derby leagues also have needs to be able to function and grow, and guess what?... Be healthy and happy. Skaters who are looking for a league to join will have to consider league goals, level of competition, attendance requirements, dues, coaching, vibe, practice schedule, etc. Some factors being more important to some, and some maybe not factors at all. If a skater chooses to start a league, it may be some time before the start up league's practices are held, let alone scrimmaging and bouting. So what's a skater to do?

If skaters don't have a team to skate with, they will usually attempt to practice with a league they are not interested in joining, participate in nearby open scrimmages, fill in for leagues that have short rosters, and/or play in challenge bouts at derby events and RollerCon. That's if any of that is even possible. Of course, there's open session at the local rink (if there is one), or the skate park and other outdoor skating. But all of that will not be enough to satisfy a skater who wants to improve their derby skills by practicing regularly, and enjoying the camaraderie of belonging to a team. To duplicate drills that require other skaters is very difficult to do and most of the time impossible. You can work on all sorts of footwork and techniques that don't require another skater, but there's nothing like weaving and hitting in a pace line, or pack work, wall drills, and scrimmaging.

Luckily, most derby leagues are welcoming and friendly to visiting skaters. Occasionally, leagues will have closed practices due to privacy of strategies as a team prepares for a bout. Sometimes, leagues do not welcome visiting skaters for various reasons. Thankfully, that's uncommon. I hope that leagues honor another league's assessment of a skater's ability and accept them as a part of a larger, global community that is roller derby, and welcome them with open arms. Still, as the sport grows all over the world, the personalities, behaviors, beliefs, and opinions will also grow in variety. That means that not all roller derby leagues will be nice and welcoming and empowering. I cringe at the thought. How could a league exist if they're not? Wouldn't the neighboring leagues ostracize them? Or maybe they only interact with leagues that are far enough away from them that they don't know their true personalities. Whatever the case, kinda sounds fear based, bully-like, controlling, and isolated.

Currently, I skate with a women's league, training as a ref and in their trainers' program. They have some contact rules regarding men, so I don't get all the practice that I need to keep my skills sharp. I fill in for NorCal Men's Roller Derby, and I'm in the process of starting my own league in the South Bay. It's quite costly and time consuming to travel to attend practices and scrimmage with men and my game play suffers for not doing it more often. I'm thankful to be skating with a heady league of women where I can at least keep my mind for the game sharp and my body in shape, thanks to Pia Mess's Monday night "Puke Practices." Until the I get the league started, I'm left with a desire to practice and play. I find myself travelling up and down California to get my derby on, and have no home to play at... yet.

For free agents, who are already not getting their derby needs met, there's the sense of being a gypsy or nomad. Skaters who already belong to a league will generally be asked to fill in a roster more so than a free agent simply because of those wonderful inter-league reps who contact other leagues for assistance. There's a facebook group called West Coast Derby Nomads that is used to inform skaters, who can't seem to get enough derby in their diet, of scrimmages and other derby events (mostly in southern California). What about a free agent registry? Derby Gypsies? A place where players, refs, and NSOs can be called upon to help out with bouts, scrimmages, promoting, recruiting, or other events. Anyone care to start the free agent pool? Are you a free agent? How do you feel about free agents in roller derby?

Gear Grinding: Hyper Shaman - LJS Edition (Prototype)

2012-05-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a former teammate, Sinister Grinz #242, I've been able to test roll prototype green (≈93A) Hyper Shamans. They're designated "LJS Edition" for Lead Jammer Skates. Not sure if G. No Evil masterminded the modifying of the acclaimed Hyper Shamans, but what a grand idea! The Hyper Shamans have been a popular and favored wheel by many skaters. The regular Shamans are an aluminum hub wrapped in a highly touted urethane with a 62mm diameter and 44mm width. With roller derby in mind, the LJS Edition Hyper Shamans are cut down to a 59mm diameter and a 35mm width.

The design of the LJS Edition Hyper Shamans are a little different than most wheels with a smaller diameter and a mid width profile. The difference lies in the way these prototypes are cut narrow. Instead of just cutting the outside of the wheel and eliminating the "lip," there is also a taper on the inside of the wheel to further reduce contact surface compared to the standard mid width wheel. The reduced contact surface is supposed to allow the wheels to break traction easier than a wheel with more contact surface, and to decrease roll resistance or drag so that the wheels carry momentum with more efficiency. For perspective, my previous favorite low profile mid width wheel, Atom's Juke, is a 38mm width. The prototype Shamans are 35mm width, but the way they are cut, they still cover the same track width of other low profile, mid width wheels like Atom's Juke, Super G, Venom, Track Attack, and Reckless Evaders, but they still maintain less contact surface, resulting in less drag but maintaining the same stability. They have as much contact surface as Heartless wheels, but offer a wider track for increased stability. At the moment, Hyper's prototype wheel seems to be a unique specimen.

Tapered inside edge of wheel

I was a little nervous and super excited to give the neon green LJS Edition Hyper Shamans a roll. They did not disappoint. Admittedly, they are a little heavier than plastic hubbed wheels, and noticeably heavier than the Reckless Evaders I was previously rolling. But, the aluminum hub has such a smooth roll and efficient energy transfer that I wasn't noticeably hindered by their weight. In fact, I was rolling faster and maintaining speed with less effort. The smooth roll felt so good, I wanted to keep skating when practice was over!

When I first got on the nicely coated, albeit a bit dirty, rink floor, they slid a little bit doing hockey stops, plow stops, and hard cuts. I was nervous they wouldn't grip enough to corner at high speeds, but after about 20 minutes, they were gripping the floor really well. Hockey, and plow stops became more challenging but I was still able to get them to break traction with relative ease (note: I'm using Sure Grip White Magnum plates with DA45 trucks). Not sure if the urethane had to warm up a bit, or if they happen to break in while I was skating them (they were rolled a few times before I got them). After rolling them in a few practices, I find that they break traction when I hockey stop with relative ease and grip when I need. What a perfect combination of characteristics! How did they do that?! Only on rare occasions when my balance was off did they break traction unexpectedly.

The quality of the urethane and the aluminum hub on Hyper Shamans are obvious, and the added maneuverability of the low profile and reduced contact surface are huge gains to an already awesome wheel. The LJS Edition Hyper Shaman is easily my new favorite wheel. It performs a lot like Atom's Juke, but smoother and more efficient. They suit my preference and needs very well. I'd be hard pressed to find a better wheel for derby. Bones might be able to give Hyper a run for their money if they decide to modify their Turbos to a narrow, low profile wheel. But, for now, Hyper has a really nice product that I think will be a red hot item among derby skaters. The blue aluminum hubbed neon green Hyper Shaman LJS Edition get my highest recommendation. Since their quantities are limited until they go into full production, I'll let you figure out how to get a hold of a set. Yes, I want them to myself. They're pricey, but they are fantastic wheels. Seriously UH-MAZIN! Thanks again, Sinister Grinz!!!

Don't Sweat The Technique: Happy Plow

2012-04-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Big hits... They are awesome to watch and to dish out. BUT, percentage-wise, they aren't as effective as really good booty (positional) blocking. I think positional blocking is a skill often overlooked because it's not as pleasing to a crowd, or as satisfying to a skater as giving a good solid check that sends a skater off their skates. Booty blocking, in my opinion, is the most ability intensive skill in roller derby... it takes agility, balance, reaction time, anticipation, and guile. Considering jammers are usually the fastest and/or quickest skaters on the floor, for a blocker to be able to stay in front of a jammer and effectively slow them down is quite a feat.

Booty blocking is a great way to slow someone down if you have an advantage in agility or a disadvantage in size and strength. To slow down your opponent while you are booty blocking them, you have to slow down yourself and act as a physical obstacle. Most skaters will use a plow stop or half plow for these occasions, as they are most stable ways to slow oneself while making contact with your derriere. Some have adapted plow stops by alternating picking up each foot while in a plow to stop faster or allow them to turn for a rock block (sternum, j, can opener, johnny crash). Since I call quick feet or stamping of feet, common of blockers moving very slowly to avoid directional blocking penalties, "Happy Feet," I decided to call this adapted plow stop, "Happy Plow."

The "Happy Plow" gets is utility from the pushing of your feet into the floor. As you pick up one foot and set the other down, you are pressing into the floor with your feet, and conversely, pushing into an opponent on your back. If you wish, you can make yourself move laterally very quickly as you alternate feet to confuse your opponent, or if they are already pressed on your back, it may jostle them and disturb their balance. If you've neared a complete stop, it may help prevent stop block penalties... Take care to avoid initiating contact while your forward progress has ceased. You may find that "Happy Plow" will allow you to slow yourself with your legs closer together than when you plow stop, which may help you avoid low blocks. The shifting of weight can enable a powerful rock block in the rhythm of the alternating feet. If attempting a rock block, try to look over the shoulder you will use for accuracy to avoid hitting your opponent in the face.

Same as the plow stop, the "Happy Plow" utilizes the inside edges of your skates to cause friction for decelerating. The alternating of feet creates an almost power slide body mechanic as you stamp your skate down perpendicular (or near) to the direction of your other skate and momentum. I find it pretty tiring to practice "Happy Plows." It's like firing my legs like pistons, but to stop instead of sprint. Since plow stops are my probably my weakest skill, "Happy Plow" are a happy alternative for me... but I keep working on my plow stops. NEVER SAY DIE! Anyway... give 'em a try. I'd love to know if you discover any insights!

Killa Drilla: Orbit

2012-04-25T08:40:00.002-07:00

In roller derby, the understanding of maneuvering in relation to other skaters around the track and how that affects your relative positioning is often overlooked. I consider this understanding an intangible because there seem to be so few skaters that really understand and successfully employ the concepts. I've described a bit of it in a previous blog post, "Houston." This type of thinking may only seem to make a minor difference in game play, but overtime, the efficiency of movement will conserve energy, make passes through the pack faster for jammers, and may prevent getting caught in a barrage of opposing blockers ready to plant their shoulders in your sternum.

To improve our understanding of relative movement while skating on the track and to improve footwork and maneuvering in general, I was taught an "Orbit" drill early in my derby career. Thanks to Square Cat formerly of the now defunct Richmond Derby Demons for introducing this one to me. This drill requires 2 skaters, one to keep a steady pace skating center track as the orbitee, and the other to skate around the the first as the orbiter. Simple enough in concept, and in execution. The challenge is in orbiting as closely and as quickly as possible to the orbitee. Several pairs can work on this at the same time given that there is room on the track. Have someone, a trainer or another skater, set the pace for the group. Try a 12-13 second lap to start off with, slower if need be. Keep count of how many times you're able to orbit in a lap or two. Keep a mental note of the number and try to beat that number on your next go. Partners switch roles and repeat.

You're also going to want to switch the direction of the orbit... I'm sure you'll find orbiting in the clockwise direction much easier as you pass on the inside and drop behind on the outside. As you pass in front while orbiting counter clockwise, you may want to drag your right skate in a t-stop to slow your forward progress and get to dropping behind your partner sooner. When passing in front of or behind your partner, you'll want to curve your trajectory as you pass to maintain proximity. Try not to get caught cutting hard to the outside to find that you've distanced yourself from the orbitee. This is a practice in control of your trajectory for economy of movement and energy, and for improved understanding of relative position. It can be a crucial element in making your energy output count and taking more efficient lines around blockers and through the pack. Put focus on trying to pass both in front and behind your partner as closely as possible... actually try to "Orbit" around the orbitee as closely as possible.

There's some obvious things you'll discover about passing and being passed inside/outside to your relative position. Be resourceful in how you maneuver around the orbitee, using different types of stops, laterals, and sprints. This is a great drill for timing, and transitioning from one maneuver and footwork technique to another. If you don't figure it out on your own during the drill, keeping a good derby posture will help in your maneuvers as you shift your weight, speed, and balance. Keep your hips low to curb any clumsiness from cutting one way and then quickly changing directions. This is great practice for waterfalling and general maneuvering around a pack, around friendly and opposing blockers. You'll probably get a bit more of a workout from than you anticipate, but it's fun and interesting, and there's lots of little tweaks that can help keep it that way. Give it a try!

eViL Tactics: Roll With It... Baby

2012-04-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Pugilists aka boxers are very familiar with the saying, "Roll with the punches." Most of you have heard the saying. Rolling with punches is actually a technique used by pugilists to decrease the potential damage of an incoming punch. Ideally, a pugilist would like to evade a punch altogether, but sometimes they recognize the attack with only enough time to move their body in the direction the attack is moving. Rolling with the attack reduces the the force of the impact, therefore decreasing the damage of said attack. Some savvy boxers will even roll with punches to give their opponent the illusion of doing more damage than they are actually inflicting, a false sense of winning a fight, or to bait the opponent to over extend leaving them vulnerable to a counter. Roller derby skaters will find many an opportunity to employ this tactic for various reasons.

I often roll with the block of my opposition to escape the range in which they will deliver with the most power. As much as I love contact, I'd rather be giving than receiving. I'm not suggesting to always roll with blocks... I fully believe that giving an opponent different "looks" will keep them guessing, and improve your chances of success. An opposing block will usually target what they see, if you move that target in the direction of the block just as they make contact, it will most likely reduce the force of the contact. If timed very well, it may even invite your opponent to overextend and compromise their balance or position. Giving to your opponent's force may also lull them into thinking they are winning and set them up for a counter. "Pop Up" might work wonders after rolling with a block. When I know I can't evade a blocker, sometimes I will purposely let the blocker make contact, swerve out of bounds in the direction the blocker is hitting and then swerve back in bounds very quickly behind them before they even know what happened.

Rolling with a block isn't always effective as counter blocking, but the more options you have at your disposal, the better off you will be. Be careful when rolling with a block that you don't skate out of bounds without first having contact. That'll earn you skating out of bounds penalties. A popular way to "Roll With It" is to use a spin move to give in to the force of would be block... I'll cover spin moves in a future post ;) Similar to spin moves is using transitions as a "structural breakdown." Transitioning into side surfing or mohawk (just for you Teapot) or even to backward skating will allow you to move around obstacles.

I notice that a lot of roller derby skaters are stiff when they skate, especially in their upper body. For the best quickness, reaction time, explosiveness, and balance, it's imperative to be loose and flexible. Can you count the number of times you've seen a skater turn into a statue as they brace for an oncoming hit? Is that you? There are many instances when a skater doesn't have time to do anything else, but the force of many hits can be mitigated will rolling or evasive techniques. A friend I used to train martial arts with calls it retraining the "OH SHIT!" response. When something is flying toward the face of an untrained person, they will fling their hands in front of their face and try to roll or duck away from it, in a desperation "OH SHIT!" movement. A martial artist will use specific blocks, slips, and counters to the same stimulus. Anything we train to do with our bodies is programming muscle memory. If you find yourself bracing every time you see a skater coming at you, make an effort to retrain that response or suffer in the pigeon hole of being a one trick pony. You'll probably decrease your chances of injury by learning to roll and evade, so get on it! Ever wonder how sometimes drunk people avoid serious injury when doing something stupid and busting their ass? They are so loose in their body, when a collision happens, their injuries are minimized. Don't go out and get drunk before practice, but think about that concept as you practice rolling with blocks.

Feel that stiffness in your shoulders and back while you're skating? Let it go. Skate around and be silly. Shake it out. Contort your body in this direction and that to learn what it feels like to skate with more freedom. Get your gear on and stop being afraid of falling. If you're not falling, you're not trying hard enough anyway. You may have to start loosening up the most important tool you have in roller derby... that organ that fills the cavern of your helmet. Get loose!

Stay loose and flexible, not just in your body, but in your mind. Your ability to adjust will benefit, your chances of success will increase, and you'll be able to breathe with more ease. "Roll With It" not only describes what we can do on the track physically, but mentally, and off the track in our everyday lives as well. Maneuvering around our own mental obstacles and the challenges that come up in areas of our lives, including roller derby, are essential to happiness and success. We all learn about quickly changing situations in our adventures in such a dynamic sport. Expand on the idea and apply it in your league's committees, at the DMV, on the track, and everywhere.

eViL Tactics: Hammer & Nail

2012-04-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

Roller derby, being a team sport, is the most fun and interesting to play and watch when there is actual teamwork in the competition. The difference in execution between the seasoned teams and beginners is clear even to first time roller derby spectators. Watching teams plow stop in unison is simply awe inspiring in its coordination. The way teammates find each other to form walls, grabbing and pushing each other into formation and moving as a unit are just a few ways teamwork is displayed on the track. Over the past few years, strategies and teamwork have emerged to become more distinct in their execution and success.

One of the most basic teamwork skills is a tactic called "Hammer & Nail." It's so well known and widespread, I'm very surprised when I meet skaters who have no idea what that is. "Hammer & Nail" requires to skaters working together, one to positional block (booty block) a target (the hand holding the nail, the target being the nail), and the other to check/block that target to the ground or out of bounds (the hammer).

During "Hammer & Nail," the booty blocker's objective is to stay in front of the target, often a jammer, and slow their speed long enough that a teammate can hit the target in such a way that is impossible while booty blocking. If the booty blocker is successful in staying in front of the target and slowing them down, the target will most likely be skating in an upright position to avoid back blocking or running into the booty blockers backside with their head. This leaves the target primed and ready to be laid out. The hammer's job is pretty straight forward... hit the target! Since the booty blocker and the target are likely to be in such close proximity to each other that the hammer may take them both out, it may be helpful for the hammer to push the booty blocker forward with their hand just prior to hitting the target.

I suggest creating a "Garage" for the target to isolate them to the inside or outside line before attempting to hammer them. Also, Truck & Trailer with your teammate for added stability while making contact. Playing defense and targeting a single opposing skater is much easier to do with an advantage in numbers. So, grab a partner when you decide to dismantle the opposing pack or grabbing a goat. If you're working against the jammer, remember to "You Stop, Two Stop" to trap the jammer out of bounds and to slow their progress through the pack. Practice maneuvers with two or more skaters to get accustomed to moving with others in unison. There's strength in numbers and skating in close proximity with your teammates will feel secure and strong. TEAM stands for Together Everyone Achieves More, so grab a teammate and start building that chemistry and trust.

Don't Sweat The Technique: Double Tap

2012-04-17T10:48:00.002-07:00

Zombieland Rule #2: The Double Tap... You think it's dead, one more makes 100% sure.

The "Double Tap" is a warfare concept used to ensure threats are neutralized. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the movie Zombieland (sacrilege) or the term "Double Tap," it's a second, insurance shot to follow up an initial attempt to disable an enemy. In roller derby, we use the "Double Tap" to finish off what we intended when we set out to shoulder, hip, or full body check (Iron Sides) our opposition. During a jam, we encounter many occasions in which our first attempt to knock an opponent down, out of bounds, or out of position fails... That's where the "Double Tap" comes into play.

After an initial block to an opponent fails to produce the desired effect, and your trajectory puts you in a position to make another attempt, engage your opponent again for a much higher likelihood of success. The initial block will have been counter blocked by, or compromised the balance of, your target. In either case, if you've used sound body mechanics and returned to your derby stance quickly, you will likely be in a prime position to "Double Tap" your opponent with a slight to major advantage in balance and preparedness. Your first block will likely compromise your opponent's posture, speed, or balance, or all three. This results in them being vulnerable to another block. Stay controlled during the first block, and you're ready to finish them off with a second. To help your balance and stability during the initial and second attempt, you may use your teammate in a "Truck & Trailer" or "Sidecar."

There's lots of talk in the derby community about proper "derby stance" and how important it is. Part of the reason is for safety, but it's also very similar if not identical to a proper posture for most sports. Feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, shoulders and head up are the foundation for balance and quickness. Having your body over your feet and your legs bent allows you to move in any direction with the quickest response time. Using proper technique with follow through and returning to derby stance will ensure that you can quickly transition to your next move. This is a crucial step for executing a "Double Tap."

Lots of derby players crave the satisfaction of laying out an opponent with a big hit. It's a crowd pleaser, and it feels oh so good. But, a lot of times a skater will over commit and compromise their balance to lay a big hit, often resulting in loss of position, penalties, and failure to execute objectives. Staying controlled will increase accuracy, balance, effectiveness, and allow you to move with more fluidity as you transition from one technique to the next, as in the "Double Tap." If your first hit doesn't do it, don't give up, stay with the play and quickly deliver a "Double Tap" for almost guaranteed results. Try varying the combination of blocks you use when using the "Double Tap"... Shoulder then shoulder, or shoulder then hip, or hip then shoulder, or full body then hip, etc. See if there's a combination that works better for your body or for different situations. Remember to change things up and don't over reach to get most bang your buck... er block.

Gear Grinding: Atom Juke 2.0 (Wheels)

2012-04-14T10:54:00.001-07:00

My first set of Atom Wheels were the original red urethane Juke in the 93A narrow flavor. At the time, 59mm diameter wheels were practically unheard of in roller derby. Atom experimented by fitting several Oly Rollers with Atom Lowboys that were modified to 59mm diameter. I've since been told that 59mm diameter wheels are commonly used in rink hockey for extra maneuverability and acceleration, and that's where the idea for the smaller diameter for roller derby came from. How much of that being true, I don't know. I was very excited about the idea of a more maneuverable wheel, though.

Atom released the original Juke in a red urethane with a blue face hollow core hub in 3 different durometers (88A, 93A, and 95A) and in slim and wide versions (38mm and 43mm). They had different colored hub backs correlating with the different durometers. The first time I rolled those pretty red Jukes, I was elated! I could feel the acceleration of my strides, the grip of the wheels, and the freedom from wheels clipping and and the grab of a lip. I was rolling Backspin Blueprints (92A) just before the 93A Jukes, and the Jukes gripped the floor considerably better on all surfaces that I skated. I don't know what Atom is doing with their wheels or if their durometer ratings are accurate, but they sure do stick to a floor. I liked them so much, I recommended them to everyone on my team. A lot of the girls were impressed with them.

Some complaints were starting along with the praises to Atoms newest product back in 2010. The more significant issue being what Atom referred to as "chunking." People all over were reporting cases of chunks of the urethane breaking off their wheels! Then I noticed that I had a chunk break off a couple of my wheels... Not enough to alarm me in the slightest because I could tell that it wasn't going to affect performance (I generally prefer function over form), but some of my teammates, and the pictures I was seeing were significant enough to be concerned about. Then a teammate showed me one of her wheels and asked if I could see the micro cracks in the face of the hub. I had noticed them on my own wheels, but wasn't too worried about those either, just as long as the wheels didn't fall apart. It did occur to me though, that with the little cracks (not fissures) in the wheels, the rigidity of the hubs were compromised. I didn't notice, so I put it out of my mind.

Atom was fielding complaints and collecting feedback. Undoubtedly, they knew they had a hot product in the Juke, so they very wisely decided to address the issues in designing a Juke 2.0! When Atom actually announced the Juke 2.0, they also announced the release of a semi-metal hub version for extra rigidity, but they decided to drop the wide version. The Juke 2.0 was redesigned with a stiffer hub and a different formula urethane and design to help prevent chunking. The urethane is now a neon or lime green and I believe the outside edge of the urethane is a bit more rounded. I still hear about chunking, but not in the frequency as the original jukes, and some love the new color. I admit, I like the reddish orange of the originals. It's pretty obvious that Atom had a winner in the Juke, and it's popularity led to Atom developing other wheels in the smaller diameter (Trak Atak, Super G, Venom).

I've rolled a set of 88A Juke 2.0s and I loved them just as much as I love the original red ones. Although I wish the 2.0s I rolled were harder for the sport court and wood surfaces I often skated on. I still wonder why Atom doesn't make a Juke in 90A or 91A hardness, they go straight from 88A to 93A. It's quite a span; I suppose they're banking on skaters mixing duros and rolling with a set of pushers. Recently, Atom released a 97A version of the Juke 2.0 for those who prefer even harder wheels for really nice, clean, sticky floors or need a little more slide.

I'm probably going to own my 3rd set of Jukes as soon as I can afford them. They're still my favorite wheel for derby... so far. I'll be receiving a prototype wheel (not Atom) in the next couple weeks, we'll how that compares. It's obvious why Atom Wheels are so popular among roller derby skaters. They're consistently putting out quality products and their urethane is second to none! I love Atom Wheels! Omegas, Lowboys, G-Rods, Dubz, Poisons, Super Gs, Venoms, and of course JUKES! If you haven't rolled Jukes or other Atom wheels, I strongly suggest you borrow a set from a teammate and give 'em a roll!

If any of you are interested in donating to the Support Jin's Derby Habit Fund to help me get to Rollercon, or buy new pads, helmet, skates, or a set of Jukes, you know where to find me ;)

P.S. Sponsors are welcome too! <hint> Atom <hint>

Don't Sweat The Technique: No Look Blocking/Toeing The Line

2012-04-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

Having a passion for body mechanics and an ability to utilize "structural breakdown" in athletic competition helps me breakdown my opponent(s) to gain an advantage. "Structural breakdown" is exploiting your opponent's body mechanics, or more specifically, what your opponent is physically incapable of. One of the most basic ways to exploit your opponent is to take advantage of their reaction time. Athletes with even the best reaction time will have a delay of a small fraction of a second. That split second is enough to gain an edge over your opponent. A defender will always find themselves compensating for this inherent disadvantage, no matter the sport. There are several techniques that defenders can employ to decrease their vulnerabilities: double teams, or 2 or 3 walls in roller derby, team defense designed to bait offenses, and the calculated gamble of anticipation can increase defensive success... cerebral approach if you will.

"No Look Blocking" or "Toeing The Line" is a blocking technique used to minimize the possibility of having your vision, or lack there of, being used against you... and to help prevent self inflicted whiplash. It's success is based on a couple of principles. One, that you have a sense of where the track boundary is without looking at it... This is relatively simple on a regulation WFTDA/MRDA track due to the rope that you can feel as your skate rolls over it. And the other, is that while you are skating along the inside line and are looking across the the width of track you are defending, if don't see the jammer, they're behind you.

This may be easier to understand described in scenario...

Let's say you're defending the inside line of the track with your left skate "Toeing The Line" and looking to the right. While looking to the right, your peripheral vision should be able to actually see almost directly behind you. As the opposing jammer approaches they will most likely have to attempt passing to your right, in your line of sight. If you make a move to hit them or booty block them, they are likely to cut back to your left. As long as they are in your line of sight, you'll be able to track them... with your vision. But what happens when they're out of your line of sight? Instead of turning your head to the left to look for them, skate to your left quickly to FEEL for them... "No Look Blocking." But keep looking to your right in case they decide to try to pass to your right again. If you're able to anticipate the jammer's initial move to the left (inside) early enough to anticipate the jammer's move, you'll be able to move back to the left in time to impede their path. You'll know when you've reached in the inside line when you feel your left skate hit the rope (if in fact there is rope under tape on your track boundaries), so you don't have to look for the line with your eyes. You feel it with your toes... so to speak. If you are on the inside line, and you don't see the jammer, you have the luxury of knowing they're right behind you. If the jammer enters back into your line of sight, go do your thang.

This technique will save you from turning your head this was and that. Some jammers will purposely try to get you all turned around. Pair up with another blocker in a 2 wall while you're both looking toward each other, and a jammer may find it near impossible to pass. Your partner will be acting as your eyes-in-the-back-of-your-head as you watch your partner's back. The outside wall partner would be toeing the outside line with their right skate, in case you didn't already figure that out.

Most veteran blockers have learned to use more than their eyes to inform them of where their target is. Feeling for their opponents on their backside or their shoulders can reveal which direction they are going, too. See if you can employ "Toeing The Line" to improve your blocking. I'd like to know of your results, so leave a comment after you've tried it out... that is if you don't already use this technique. Have fun!

Don't Sweat The Technique: Pop Up

2012-04-05T10:45:00.001-07:00

Evasive techniques are commonly used by jammers to avoid hits and slither by opposing blockers. Avoiding the full brunt of a blocker's force will not only help you conserve energy, it can help lengthen your career in roller derby by reducing the trauma to your body and possibly minimize the chance of injury. It's truly awe inspiring when skaters pull off matrix-like maneuvers while moving around in the pack

I've made it a point to develop my understanding of evasive techniques because I learned the sport of roller derby while coaching a league that was smaller in stature than the leagues in the surrounding area. It was unlikely that my team was going to out muscle the competition, so I initiated a fight fire with water approach. It was obvious that we needed to figure out a way to neutralize or minimize the strength advantage. I knew some of our sister leagues practiced their hitting a lot and built reputations for being hard hitting. With that kind of head start, I knew playing against the competition in their style of game, fighting fire with fire, would prove to be an uphill battle. Besides, I dreaded the idea of my teammates getting hurt or injured.

I taught the ladies a couple of basic techniques; ducking, and "Pop Up." You will find the ducking in one of my earliest posts... "Bean Dip w/ Rock Block" (the Bean Dip part). In this post, I'll describe the counterpart.

Ideally, a jammer is in a low stance to maximize balance, agility, and quickness. Sometimes, a jammer may even be skating in a speed skater's stance; bent forward at the hips for aerodynamics and long strides. Skating posture is generally emphasized for safety and balance, but it can also be used as bait. Skilled pugilists, otherwise known as boxers, know and use this concept with great success. The idea is to show vulnerability as bait, with a counter in mind. Since most blockers (especially newer skaters) tend to use their shoulders to make contact, they are likely to target the upper body of their opponent. The "Pop Up" takes advantage of this tendency.

When bent forward at the hips (remember to maintain a balanced posture and not bend so far forward that you are falling forward), you are increasing your target area, forward to back, by the length of your torso. As you attempt to speed by an opposing blocker, they should approach you (if they're doing their job) either gradually or by swooping in. The faster you are going in relation to your opponent, the more swooping the defensive block will have to be in order to succeed. Blockers train to get to their opponents' front side, so most likely they will target your upper body. Since you're bent forward at the hips, your upper body is out in front of your hips. At the moment just before the blocker makes contact, raise your upper body to a more upright position... "Pop Up." Now you've reduced your target area from the length of your torso to the depth of your torso and your upper body is now over your hips. If timed and spaced well, you will avoid the hit completely and the blocker will go swooping by you. I invite you to look at yourself in the mirror while standing sideways and seeing how far you change your shoulder as a target when bending at the waist compared to being upright. I guarantee you will move that target by a foot or more. In a sport where inches count, you will find this technique very useful.

I will often cut in the direction my blocker is coming from in order to exaggerate my opponent's miscalculation. I highly recommend cutting back while "Popping Up". The turning will change your trajectory, therefore reducing the forward speed. This may bait the blocker to turn further than they had intended and result in a clockwise block, or they will just go flying by... maybe into the outside pack ref, or better yet into the suicide seats. The action of baiting and avoiding your opponents' efforts is demoralizing to them and will inherently boost your confidence. This technique can also be used if contact is already made, and you're being pushed by way of your shoulder. "Pop Up" suddenly and very quickly skate behind the blocker to their other side. Keep pummeling your opponents and avoiding their hits, and they will get frustrated... often skating away thinking they did not play very well. When they make their adjustments and let up on the power of their hits in order to be more accurate, they'll become more susceptible to your counter blocks. Keep 'em guessing. ;)

Here's Suzy Hotrod demonstrating... watch her setup, anticipation, and reaction time starting around the 0:05 mark.

Here's a clip of Bonnie Thunders... her move starts at about 0:30.

Like everything else, the "Pop Up" gets better with practice. Moving your upper body very quickly will inherently change your momentum and balance, so you'll get accustomed to the adjustment. I want to add an important tip... when you "Pop Up," BEWARE of other blockers who are looking to nail just as you become more upright and are a bit more vulnerable. Keep your eyes up as much as possible, good vision is important to sizing up your opponents, anticipating their actions, and juking them out their skates. Ah, the joys of jamming :)

Don't Sweat The Technique: Hockey Stops

2012-03-31T14:05:00.003-07:00

The ability to stop on a dime in roller derby is a skill that all derby skaters strive to develop. In my opinion, plow stops are the most useful, being that they are the most effective stop to use while booty blocking and slowing down an opponent. Admittedly, I'm horrible at them. I keep working one 'em though! I'm way more adept at using tomahawk stops, mohawk stops, and even "Hockey Stops." Intuitively, I would say hockey stops are the most difficult of the bunch, and that's what I'm going to share today.

"Hockey Stops" are quite a difficult stop to master in my opinion. The body mechanics are almost an all or nothing commitment, and you need to have wheels that will slide enough to allow you to avoid losing control. I think most derby skaters think of wheel grip as control, and in most ways, that's true. But, with certain stops, a bit of slide is very helpful in maintaining control. "Hockey Stops" are one of those.

I've been working on hockey stops for about 2 years and I still get a little nervous doing them. I think I'd be more secure if in my attempts if I were rolling harder wheels for more slide. I like my wheels to be grippy so that I can push hard while jumping and juking and not have my feet slide out. I work on my hockey stops quite a bit, and I think I understand the body mechanics enough to describe it...

The first thing you want to do is make sure you have both skates under you while rolling and get low. Then, turn suddenly and hard. Think like you're snapping your body suddenly in the direction you're turning in a split second. A gradual turn just won't cut it. I find it helps if I turn my body more than 90 degrees. As you turn, lean hard in the direction you are turning and lead with the leg you're turning toward The inside leg will provide stability and support. Push out with the outside leg (the leg opposite the direction you are turning) and put the focus on pushing out at the heel. This leg and skate will be responsible for your stopping friction. What you're attempting to do is turn your skate perpendicular to the direction you are rolling to provide maximum friction. The faster you are rolling, the more you will have to lean to compensate for momentum. If your wheels allow it, the outside skate will slide. If your wheels don't slide, they'll skip and stutter on the floor, you'll end up in a clumsy pirouette, be thrown off your skates, or execute the perfect hockey stop. Remember my mention of "all or nothing?" If you've got the right speed to wheel grip, you can use a hockey stop without any slide to stop instantly.

You may want to start practicing the body mechanics by turning as sharply as you can while rolling, without the goal of coming to a complete stop, just to get used to the body positioning and momentum. You should be able to complete a very tight circle before taking it to the next step. Alternatively, a hockey stop on quads can be performed using that tight circle. Hockey stops are hard on your feet, ankles, and knees... so keep that in mind. I highly recommend using wheels that have ample slide on the surface you will be practicing on. It will be much easier to practice and you'll reduce the possibility of injury. If your wheels are grippy on the surface you're practicing hockey stops on, you'll have a really hard time getting your wheels to slide, putting a lot of stress on your body, and you'll tend to get out of control. It'll make learning difficult. It's not practice that makes perfect. It's perfect practice that makes perfect.

"Hockey Stops" are also hard on your wheels and you may wear flat spot on your wheels. It can be a very useful option for stopping when you need to stop very quickly. The body mechanics are such that you will become more agile from practicing hockey stops and will improve your overall skating skill and confidence. Be smart about practicing hockey stops when you first start. Give yourself a chance by maximizing your chances of pulling them off successfully... use a slick floor and hard wheels. Please avoid injury while practicing hockey stops. Have fun and good luck!

Blockers Not Bullies

2012-03-26T15:32:00.001-07:00

Bullying doesn't really fit the image of what I perceive the culture of roller derby to be. Yet it occurs much more than I really want to know. In a sport that I believe is responsible for so much empowerment for individuals, there exists a stark contrast of dis-empowerment. The stories of drama within and in between leagues numbers into the astounding. Some of the issues are legitimate, some are not, some are handled admirably, some are a slow-mo train wreck. The drama comes in many forms; from the petty to the serious, misunderstandings, misquotes, true/false rumors, black-balling, and many others which I'm sure I couldn't identify in a short list. Bullying related drama really gets to me. I find it to be one of the most despicable and destructive behaviors engaged in by humans. I really hate the idea of bullies and people being unkind. It's a part of the human condition that I believe is destructive and uncivilized. People need to find something better to do than to worry about what others are doing.

Bullying generally serves one person, and I'd go so far to say, that it really doesn't serve the bully when the big picture is put into perspective. Sometimes, our actions can affect the communities in which we live in ways that we could never foresee. It's a challenge for most people to understand how their actions affect others. It's a part of what we learn as we grow. Some people think too much about it, others not enough. Keep striving for balance and connection with one another. Connection and community is hugely a part of why roller derby is successful, let's keep it going.

Roller derby forces us into community, that is, if we choose roller derby to be a part of our lives. In today's society, community is vastly overlooked. Growing up, I used to know all my neighbors. I still make an effort to at least meet the people who live around me. Today, I notice more and more that people are out of touch. We all do it. We can walk down the street of a busy city, passing hundreds if not thousands of people, and we're so busy that we barely make the time to make eye contact and share a smile. I'm introverted by nature, but I still make efforts to talk to complete strangers and smile at people. It feels good to smile... and not just smile with my mouth, but my whole body. It's an energy that we can share with each other. A positivity. Even though we all have our struggles, we possess an amazing ability to uplift ourselves and others. So why do some of us choose to do exactly the opposite?

For some, it's not that they intend to be bullies and treat others as lower or less important than they are. Some people are narcissists, and for them it can be incredibly difficult to think of the world without them as the center and the most important beings on the planet. A narcissist can be characterized as "a person who is overly self-involved, and often vain and selfish." Makes ya think, huh? Their behaviors can borderline sociopathic. Sociopath can be characterized by "disregard for the rights of others." It's extremely difficult to deal with narcissists and sociopaths, and sometimes these charming, intelligent people are hard to recognize. Most people carry around the stresses of their lives and express those stresses through interactions with others. In my experience (and opinion), this is mostly carried out unconsciously. Call me naive... I tend to believe in the goodness of people. These unconscious behaviors are often expressed through control and manipulation. My guess is that when people feel like they don't have control in some part of their lives, sometimes they over compensate in another. We're so effed up, and hardly ever know it. When unchecked by ourselves or those around us that love us enough to tell us, our unconscious behaviors can wreak havoc in our communities. Try to be understanding of others who are out of line. Be willing to talk to them and especially be willing to take a second look at your own behaviors. It's not so much about confrontation as it is community building. Awareness is the beginning to a solution.

Roller derby is a wonderful sport, I'm sure you all agree. So let's try to keep it that way for others in our community, too. If you got a problem, yo I'll solve it... actually I won't (check out the hook while my DJ revolves it). Seriously though, we're all adults, so talk it out. And, when you do, remember to ask yourself some important questions about what you're about to say! When in doubt, refer to 5 T.H.I.N.K. Questions before bringing up an issue!

Is it True?

Is it Helpful?

Is it Inspiring?

Is it Necessary?

Is it Kind?

If it's not those things, you may want to ask yourself what your motivation is. If you still don't know, it's time to get some help before you do something possibly irreparable. Talk to a level headed friend, or a therapist.

We must all play a part in our communities. When we choose to not do anything about bullying, we are subtly approving of the behavior. So say something! Better yet, DO something! Be a part of improving your community, supporting your teammates, building inter-league relations, and promoting roller derby as a whole.

"Blockers Not Bullies" is a recently formed online roller derby community focused on raising awareness about bullying in roller derby and providing support for victims of bullying. They are on Facebook, so go like their page and support their bid to be a class at Rollercon and their cause for making the roller derby world a better place.

eViL Tactics: Diamond Formation

2012-03-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

In roller derby, because there are only 5 skaters per team at a time, versatility and teamwork go a long way. Versatility allows skaters to fill in the gaps that their teammates leave when they're serving time in the sin bin, and to be dynamic in responsibilities and roles to adjust to constantly changing game situations. As the skill level and strategies in roller derby improve and progress, teamwork is becoming more and more important in modern roller derby. It's helpful for teams to have a predetermined, coordinated response to particular situations so each skater knows what to expect from each other. Communication is great, but even better than that, is a faith that your team knows what to do in any given situation just by being aware of the game. Teams will have different strategies for handling situations, but many teams display similar, almost universal strategies, in some situations... for example, goating or no pack starts during power jams.

Distinct pack formations have begun to develop, each with their own particular set of uses and strengths. I'm going to discuss a basic formation that offers versatility, support, and pack strength, the "Diamond Formation." As you might imagine, diamond describes the shape of the formation. One skater in the front, two skaters forming a wall just behind, and a single "sweeper" trailing forming a 1-2-1. This formation can be helpful for newer leagues to understand positional roles by defining responsibilities, and is a good way to build chemistry and teamwork. When first starting out in roller derby, skaters are often overwhelmed by the ever changing responsibilities and how to prioritize them. Very, very few people grew up playing roller derby, so that leaves us all having to start from scratch, so to speak. There's a lot of information to absorb, and just like anything else, understanding comes with time, practice, and good teachers... and watching lots of DNN!

After a skater becomes adept at skating with a single partner (usually in a wall formation), and is comfortable maneuvering in the close proximity of the pack, it's a natural progression to work on larger pack formations. The "Diamond Formation" builds on the foundation and defensive strength of a 2-wall and adds in the front, a designated last line of defense or "chaser", and in the back, a sweeper who doubles as a controller for the 2-wall. The rear of the formation looks like a staggered 3-wall, with the middle blocker slight behind and covering the gap between the 2-wall in front of them. This allows the 2-wall to spread wider and cover more ground before losing wall integrity. It also gives the rear blocker the ability to hammer and nail or truck and trailer with the 2-wall as support. The blockers at both the front and rear positions can act as a controller for the 2-wall. The foremost blocker should be tracking the opposing jammer and meeting them if they make it past the other three blockers. If the foremost blocker is adept in skating backwards, they can help guide their entire pack. I like to have pivots actually act as a sort of pivot point in the pack and be the key skater responsible to making the refs call, "No pack," and, "The pack is here," sort of like glue or bridge to the pack, when the pack gets spread thin. There are many other details that can be added to the way any formation adjusts and morphs and how the responsibilities of the skaters change. For instance, you can assign a designated bridger, or designate a jammer's helper. One thing I often emphasize was forming and reforming the diamond at the front of the pack, in order to have a dominating presence at the front of the pack and prepare to execute plays.

The versatility of the "Diamond Formation" is due to the close proximity of the formation and allows the skaters to communicate formation changes with each other without announcing their intentions to the other team at the same time. Skaters can break formations and into other formations like ninjas. Being in close proximity can be supportive in fending off opposing blockers who want to break up walls or grab a goat during their power jam. Also, waterfalling is much easier when the team is close to each other and not having to fight through opposing blockers to get into position. It's a strong formation in structure and force.

When first making the transition from working with one other person to working with a whole lineup of blockers, I suggest skating in a very tight formation. It will help you grow accustomed to skating with your teammates in close proximity. During a bout, this will translate into your seeking the security of your pack when you are separated, resulting in speedy reforming of your blockers. You can practice rotating positions clockwise and counter clockwise, separating and immediately coming back together, stopping, speeding up, lateral left and right, etc, to learn how to adjust and maneuver while still maintaining the formation.

Some teams disguise formations at the jam start by positioning in another and transition into formation through a series of actions after the jam start. This added tactic will keep the opposing bench guessing on what you're going to do next. I think half of competition is mental, and I will make efforts to misdirect and confuse my opposition. Just remember to stay within your own abilities to avoid outsmarting yourself.

There are many more details about how I imagine the "Diamond Formation" to be executed and taught, if you'd like to share ideas or pick my brain, shoot me an email (I have tons more deets about it). I think if you look carefully at how the top roller derby teams skate with each other, you'll be able to pick out formations used for particular situations and just to give their opposition a different look. I'd love to hear about any observations you make or any insights you can share, so leave a comment. I think you'll find that some teams use a "Diamond Formation," maybe not the way I imagine it to function, but you should be able to recognize it from time to time. I really think diamonds can be a derby girl's best friend.

Don't Sweat The Technique: Mohawk Stop (Half Tomahawk)

2012-03-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Speed control is very important in flat track roller derby. Speed is important, but without the ability to stop, it can be a liability. Being able to stop on a dime is especially useful for blockers. After forcing an opponent out of bounds, if a skater can stop and skate clockwise quick enough, they will effectively trap said opponent out of bounds or force a track cutting penalty. This type of tactic is used to goat (or goad... i still don't know which it really is), slow a jammer's progress through the pack, to recycle a jammer back into the pack, or to force an opposing blocker out of position.

Most players will use a tomahawk stop or turning toe stop to quickly stop and change direction. This is a highly effective tactic. Some skaters have tweaked their technique to force opponents out of bounds by using a sort of half tomahawk stop or ”Mohawk Stop” or ”Half Tomahawk”. ”Mohawk Stop” offers a few advantages to a full tomahawk. The body position that ”Mohawk Stop” is executed in is side surfing or mohawk position (heels pointed together and tours out). This allows you to turn your back to the opponent being forced out of bounds. This inherently makes it difficult for your target opponent to block you by reducing the legal target zones that you expose to your opponent. You may be able to force back blocking penalties if they are not aware that you are exposing your back to them. Also, when skating near the track boundary, if you turn toward the track, you'll be facing the track and giving yourself awareness of the action. Game awareness is always important. This'll help you prevent getting blindsided, and maybe even avoid your target's teammate from knocking you down our out of bounds.

To execute a ”Mohawk Stop” on an opponent, squeeze your target to the track boundary and then open the front of your body to the track into a side surfing body/mohawk position. I use the momentum from the swing of my body while I transition skating forward to side surfing to give a extra bump or push with my hips (butt). Ideally, your target is out of bounds as soon as you're side surfing, so then you want to stop by applying your rear skate's toe stop... so that your skates are in mohawk position stopping. Applying one toe stop won't stop as quickly as applying two toe stops, I often turn my front skate perpendicular to the track to help me stop faster, almost like a hockey stop or as if to turn. It helps to have loose hips, but ”Mohawk Stops” can still be done if you unable to get your feet perfectly parallel. It may in fact work to your advantage for this particular technique. The angle of your skates will take you in a slightly circular motion and will assist in the halting of forward travel. Be aware of the traffic on the track if that's that case. When you've forced your target out of bounds, you'll want to move clockwise as soon as you can to further delay your target's ability to get back in play. In the case that you've forced your target out of bounds, if your target enters the track in front of you, they'll pick up a track cutting penalty. Most likely they will opt to skate clockwise while out of bounds in an attempt to enter the track behind you. For jammers, this is crippling, because they're not gonna score points skating clockwise.

I think "Mohawk Stops" feels pretty natural after just a bit of practice. That is, if you feel comfortable with side surfing or skating in mohawk position. When I first started working on "Mohawk Stops", I noticed that I had a tendency to transition to skating backwards. I was so used to practicing turning toe stops and transitioning, that I would simply continue my momentum. When actually blocking someone, their body will help prevent you from turning completely backwards. It helped me to focus on making contact with my lower back and hips. I love techniques that help incorporate hip checks because attacking an opponents center of gravity is usually devastating to their skating posture. Be careful when executing ”Mohawk Stops”, because you are turning your back to your target and the track boundary, you may not see that you continue to make contact while your target is completely out of bounds, resulting in blocking out of bound penalties. I love executing ”Mohawk Stops” while I have a partner to truck & trailer for added stability and to threaten the target with a second skater to cut track on, which results in a trip to the sin bin. Practice your mohawk/side surfing and see if you can incorporate ”Mohawk Stops” into your bag of tricks.

Don't Sweat The Technique: The Rudder

2012-03-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

I consider myself a close-range tactics and strategy specialist in sports... and of course, I apply those skills to roller derby. Growing up playing sports, I was always on the smaller side, and the same is true today. I rely on smarts, quickness, speed, technique, and what I call "structural breakdown" to succeed. Structural breakdown is a concept I picked up from training in martial arts. It's the use of body mechanics and the way bodies interact to overcome an opponent. With a good understanding of the way bodies move and interact, anyone can design close-range tactics.

In this post I will share a concept that I call "The Rudder". This concept was introduced to me very early in my derby career. Many roller derby coaches and players know of this technique and teach and use it with great success. This technique is used while blocking to help gain advantageous position during engagement and can be used to control an opponent's direction.

"The Rudder" is simply extending the leg nearest your opponent to a position in front of your opponent's legs. Of course, this is not a technique intended to trip your opponent. Just like all other techniques and maneuvers, start from a good derby stance. Then, as you move laterally to engage your target, make sure you are moving to a position where you can extend the near leg and remain in a good balance and engage your target legally. When executed properly, your hip or upper thigh will make contact with your targets upper to mid thigh. Even if contact with your target's leg is not made, if your positioning is correct, you'll still be able to gain advantageous position and make contact with the upper body. Basically, by extending your leg in front of your opponent, you are in essence in front of your opponent. That fact will usually open up the front of your opponent's body for you to make contact with. It's an excellent way to enter "ass swiping" or "toilet paper", and positional blocking.

This technique is generally used to steer your opponent with the extended leg... that's why I call it "The Rudder". I generally like to engage with this technique directly to my target's side so that they don't slide off my back while I attempt to surge them out of bounds. This allows me to steer my opponent right to the track boundary and finish sending them out of bounds with a little shove from my hips. Sometimes, if this technique is being used against you, you may be able to pick up your near leg and step in front of their leg to reverse the position... like in "Step Over Weaving". I recommend all beginners to practice this technique and footwork. It will greatly increase the rate of success of your offensive and defensive blocking, and positioning. If you have a hard time with it, ask your coach or your league vets to help, as I'm sure they know and use this technique. Have fun with this derby magic!

Learned... For The Second Time

2012-03-08T22:38:00.001-08:00

Skating backward while blocking seems to be getting more and more popular in modern roller derby. Skaters often confuse the language in WFTDA rules (about many things) it's legality. Years ago, I'd seen a few dozen attempts of blocking while skating backwards (in derby direction)... they were all pretty ineffective, in my opinion. But skaters are now skating backwards while blocking, and some are VERY effective.

The first time I noticed anyone blocking effectively while skating backward was watching Powder of Magic City Misfits... I think it was at Spring Roll 2011. Powder was easily one of the most effective or affecting blockers of the tournament. A lot of times it looked like the opposition didn't know what to do when they approached him and he was starting then down. Powder was guiding opposing blockers away from his jammers, being an extra set of eyes for his blockers, picking off jammers by sending them out of bounds and/or to the floor, and significantly affecting the game play like very few others I've every seen.

Up until that time, I had been putting in a lot of time improving my ability to skate backwards and practicing backwards blocking technique, but never thought that I'd be able to apply it blocking effectively. Powder changed all that. I was in awe. I watched the footage over and over to watch his footwork and body mechanics. Then I went to work practicing everything I picked up. Once I understood the body mechanics, I got the ladies I trained to practice being more mobile while skating backwards to prepare them to block while skating backwards.

I was exposed to other players who are phenomenal at blocking while skating backwards. I am totally convinced that skaters can be effective blockers while skating backwards. I practice every chance I get and have found that hip checks are extremely powerful while skating backwards. With little effort, one can send skaters flying off their skates!

Besides some obvious weaknesses to blocking while skating backward (most of which can be compensated for), I recently discovered a weakness while blocking backwards... twice. I attempting to play defense while skating backward in the pack, when I felt someone check my hips. Of course, both times I was unaware of the blocker who was coming for me, so there is that. But I realized how devastating it was to my skating posture... completely! Just as powerful as my backward hip checks are to opponents, I'm just as susceptible to hip checks while skating backward if I'm not counter blocking. Changing the position of my hips, in effect, changed my direction. When the change is sudden and unexpected, it's difficult to adjust quickly enough to stay on my skates.My momentum would continue to travel in the direction I was expecting but my skates would be pointed in another direction... resulting in my conference with the floor. What was peculiar to me, is that it didn't seem like it took much effort to topple me... I could be wrong. Maybe my teammates will chime in to let us know.

I took note the first time it happened. I was surprised at how swiftly I was on the floor. I didn't know who had hit me because I wasn't looking. The last time it happened, I was surprised again, but the person who did it apologized while skating away, so I knew who did it. I doubt she was really sorry, as I'm sure it was satisfying to drop the show off. No apologies necessary... Zootown Throwdown ;)

Now I know, more so than I did, that I'm vulnerable while skating backward in the middle if the pack. No wonder Powder and Quadzilla are skating backward predominantly while at the front if the pack. Lesson learned... twice. I'm not gonna stop skating backward as a blocker, but I will be more aware while skating in the middle of the pack. For those of you who picked up on it... I might have just revealed a counter tactic versus a backward skating blocker. Or it might only work against me. Uh oh.