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RULES
Most current roller derby leagues use rules developed by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). A summary of the WFTDA rules follows:
Roller derby takes place on a circuit track. The two teams playing send five players each onto the track — three blockers (defense), one pivot (last line of defense) and one jammer (scorer). Helmet covers are used to display the players' positions: a striped cover is used for pivots, a cover with two stars is used for jammers, and no cover is used for blockers.
Pivots and blockers from both teams start the game by forming a single pack. In a pack, all players face counterclockwise. The pivots line up next to each other, followed by a layer of four blockers, followed by a layer of two blockers. The two jammers, who are not considered to be part of the pack, are positioned 20 feet behind the pack. At this point, no differentiation need be made between the two teams; as long as the pack formation is as described above, it does not matter if the team members are interspersed randomly in the pack.
The referee signals the start of jam formation by blowing a whistle. During jam formation, the entire pack moves counterclockwise, during which time players can change position. All pivots/blockers must remain in the pack (i.e., no more than 20 feet in front of or behind the largest group containing blockers from both teams ). Jammers remain stationary during jam formation. When the last person in the pack has passed where the front of the pack was initially lined up, the referee blows the whistle twice, signaling the jammers to take off, and play begins in earnest with a jam.
A jam is a 2-minute countdown period during which both teams attempt to score points. Points can only be scored by the jammers, who, moving counter-clockwise, attempt to pass the pack and lap around as many times as possible. After passing the pack the first time, jammers earn one point each time they legally pass an opposing blocker/pivot. During a jam, all pivots/blockers must remain in the pack. If a pivot/blocker falls or otherwise becomes separated from the pack, she is out of play (i.e., cannot block or assist the jammers) until she catches up to the pack.
The first jammer to pass all pivots and blockers once the jam begins wins the status of lead jammer for the remainder of the jam. The lead jammer can decide to end the jam at any time before the 2 minutes are up. She does this by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly, which signals the referee to officially call off the jam.
After a lead jammer has been established, both jammers have the option of passing their positions to their teams' respective pivots (passing the star). This is done by removing the 2-star helmet cover and handing it to the pivot. The pivot then becomes the jammer, and the jammer becomes the pivot for the remainder of the jam. If the original jammer was the lead jammer, the position of lead jammer is not passed on; the position is forfeited for the remainder of the jam.
To impede the progress of the opposing team's jammer, players may block using body parts above the mid-thigh, excluding forearms, hands, and head. Elbows may not be used in blocking, and cannot be swung at other players or used to hook an opponent's or teammate's arm.
Each game consists of two 30-minute periods. At the end of each jam, players re-form the pack and continue play.
Penalties are given to skaters who block illegally, fight or behave in an unsporting manner, or otherwise break the rules. Possible penalties include sending players to a penalty box (during which time opposing jammers can score points by passing the penalty box) and expulsion of players.
All-female Grassroots Leagues
Nearly all contemporary roller derby leagues are all-female and self-organized, and were formed in an DIY spirit by relatively new roller derby enthusiasts. These leagues deploy traditional quad roller skates, and a punk aesthetic and/or ethic is often prominent. Many, including the Skating Sirens are non-profit organizations. Most compete on flat tracks.
As of mid-2008, most players in these leagues skate under aliases, many of which are creative examples of word play with satirical, mock-violent or sexual puns, alliteration, and allusions to pop culture. Examples include Martian Manhater (Martian Manhunter), Sandra Day O'Clobber (Sandra Day O'Connor), Ada Hatelace (Ada Lovelace), Skid'n Nancy (Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen), Goldie Knoxx (Goldilocks and the Three Bears), Anna Mosity (animosity), Ruthless Raven (alliteration), Audrey Headburn (Audrey Hepburn), Barba Fett (Boba Fett), Hotty Hunter (Holly Hunter), Momzilla (Godzilla), Clitorisaurus Rex (Tyrannosaurus rex), and Re-AnimateHer (Re-Animator). Some players claim their names represent alter egos which they adopt whilst skating.
As roller derby is a contact sport, the risk of injury is non-trivial. Injuries range from common bruises and sprains to broken bones and beyond. As is the case with many sporting events and other large public gatherings, many modern roller derby games are required to be played with EMTs on hand. Some leagues prominently display their injuries, and safety and injuries are a perennial topic on skating blogs and other forums.
All text referenced from www.wikipedia.org
Block: When a rollergirl hits an opposing rollergirl, attempting to knock her down.
Blocker: The skaters who try to stop the other team's jammer while propelling their own jammer forward. They make up the "pack."
Bout: The name of the game. Rollergirls BOUT each other.
Derby Wife: A skater's "derby wife" is her best friend, someone who will hold her hair while she pukes after a night of Jager Bombs, ride in the ambulance with her if she breaks a leg, the one person who can tell her to "Shut-the-eff-up" and "I love you, man" in the same sentence, her partner in crime.
Fresh Meat : A new rollergirl in training.
Grand Slam: When a jammer laps the opposing jammer, scoring an extra point.
Hip Whip: When the jammer grabs hold of her own teammate's hips or waist, and flings herself around the track at a high speed.
Jam: Each race during the Bout is called a "jam" and can last up to 2 minutes.
Jammer: The skaters who score points. They wear a helmet cover with a star on either side. They race each other around the track, and every person from the other team that they pass equals 1 point.
Lead Jammer: The jammer who makes it through the pack first without incuring a penalty. The "lead jammer" can call off the jam at any time by placing her hands on her hips. If both jammers receive a penalty, there is no "lead jammer" and the jam lasts the entire 2 minutes.
Major Penalty: An "illegal block" which causes the opposing skater to completely fall or become injured. Major penalties require the skater to sit in the "penalty box" for the duration of 1 minute.
Minor Penalty: An "illegal block" which causes the opposing skater to stumble or lose her place in the pack. 4 minor penalties = a trip to the penalty box.
Pack: The group of blockers, made up of members from each team. Jammers try to break through the pack to score points.
Penalty: An illegal block. Penalties include using the forearms, elbows, and/or hands to block, blocking against the back of an opposing skater, grabbing, tripping, pushing, fighting, hitting above the shoulders and/or below the knees, insubordination to the refs, unsportsmanlike conduct and more.
Powerslide: Like a hockey stop, but on rollerskates.
Rink Rash: Otherwise known as "fishnet burn," when a skater slides across the ground (usually on her hip) an receives a "carpet burn" (usually in the pattern of whatever fishnet stockings she happends to be wearing at the time).
T-stop: Using your skate (turned sideways) to drag along the ground and slow down / stop.
Whip: When a skater extends her arm to assist her own jammer through the pack. The jammer grabs the "whipper's" wrist with both hands, and is then flung around the track at a high speed... possibly taking out other skaters along the way.