Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules?

Rules will come later on. Basically, there are two teams of five ladies. Each team consists of one in scoring position called a jammer, three blockers and one pivot. The blockers form a skating pack. The blockers/pivots start skating at the first whistle, and then the jammers (who start behind the pack) start sprinting at the second whistle. The jammers then have to skate through the pack! The first one through the pack is called the lead jammer. Both jammers continue to sprint around the pack a second time and get through the pack again. On their second and future trips, they get a point for every opponent they pass. Everyone else tries to stop the other team's jammer from passing and help their team's jammer get through. The Jam goes on for 2 minutes or until the Lead Jammer calls it off.

What if I get hurt?

It's not if you get hurt, it's when you get hurt! Pulled muscles, sprains, strains, bruises, and broken bones will happen. This is why protective gear is required and we also train, stretch and practice falling to help reduce injuries and their severity.

Health insurance is required. Although we try to minimize the amount of injuries, accidents happen and a trip to the emergency room is way more expensive than health insurance. We require ALL skaters to have primary insurance AND secondary insurance through WFTDA. This is not debatable.

How much of my time will it take up?

Roller Derby is a big commitment: it's like a second (or third) job. You'll be expected to attend league practices for around two hours twice a week to begin and three times a week when you start to advance; everyone is expected to help at bouts and other official events and fundraisers. We are a skater run organization; so don't forget about being on a committee and a few meetings! We're not telling you this to scare you, but we want to be honest: There are a lot of rollergirls on our teams that work and go to school, so it's not an altogether unattainable goal. Any Derby Girl will tell you that it is totally worth it. And think of all the great people you'll meet!

We require you to participate in 75% of practices/ meetings/ activities to participate in games and at least 50% to remain part of the league. We're a DIY league — we rely on our members to form and support the league. Your teammates will also rely on you to be involved in order to play the game. You will miss out on important skills if you don't attend practices. We encourage people to spend any time with the league they can, finding sponsors, working on promoting, getting press coverage, making documentaries... whatever! This league is ours; we built it from the ground up... so we determine what it is like to be a New Hampshire Rollergirl!

What do I need to join?

Every skater will be required to wear a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, kneepads, mouth guard and quad roller skates.

How much does it cost & what equipment do I need?

The biggest expense will be for your equipment, monthly dues and health insurance.

To start, Open Skates are highly recommended. They help you get acquainted with being on roller skates, and you can rent cheap equipment there. Skaters from NHRD attend the open skate at Roller Kingdom (Tyngsboro, MA) the first Sunday of each month. This is a great way to meet us and see if you like what we are about. For your first month you can use rental skates provided by Roller Kingdom. But we highly recommend that you purchase some QUAD speed skates as soon as you can...'cause the rental skates suck!

Once you join, dues will be $35/month to cover private practice space and league fees (liability, insurance, advertising, equipment, etc.) to keep our league running. Dues are due on the first of the month, anyone who hasn't paid by the seventh of the month doesn't skate until they pay up. If you don't pay, we can't rent practice space. It's that simple. We're all volunteers — no one is on salary, all money goes back into the league.

You can find speed skates, kneepads, wrist guards, elbow pads and helmets online. Pro-Tec or Triple 8 are good brands to stick with. 8-ball is another brand with an easier price tag. Rollerblading pads are NOT meant for derby. We won't let you skate with them either. They are just too unsafe. We also have a sponsorships with local businesses who will sell you equipment at a discounted price. Talk to your local NHRD Rollergirl for more special discounts you get, just for being a part of this league! We will also help you get into the right kind of skate for roller derby.

Is Roller Derby fake like wrestling?

No. Roller Derby is a real sport! Like Rugby, or table tennis. Like wresting, however, the fun, competitive, and aggressive nature of the sport lends itself well to rinkside theatrics and drama that has nothing to do with the sport. This just adds to the fun and spectacle that is Roller Derby!!

Does size matter?

No! One of the greatest things about roller derby is that whatever size/shape you are you are at an advantage!

What if I'm really little? Don't you have to be big and burly to be in Roller Derby?

No way! The smaller girls are, generally speaking, the faster girls and are usually placed in the Jammer position as team scorers. They are squirrelly, quick, and easy to whip around the rink, and generally fall down less, since they have a lower center of gravity.

What if I'm really big? Don't you have to be athletic and in shape to be in Roller Derby?

Get out of here! Big girls are hard to push around and make for great blockers. Skating on a Roller Derby team will most likely get you in the best shape of your life!

What if I haven't been on skates since junior high? Don't I have to be a great skater to even attempt Roller Derby?

Nope. A lot of us haven't been on skates for years. Some of us, not at all. We will all start out at different skill levels, but at our practices we teach everyone the skills to skate derby style. New skaters go though training programs. Don't worry, just wear your protective gear and take it slow at first! Don't be too scared by the term "tryouts." Being a derby girl is a lot more than just being a good skater; although we will primarily be looking for basic skating skills, we also look at your potential as a derby girl.

What are you looking for in a New Hampshire Rollergirl?

Basic skills:

• Forward skating
• Power stride (getting the most out of each push)
• Gliding on one foot at a time
• Crossovers
• Balance
• Squats

Derby Skills:

• Skating low
• Plow Stop
• T-stop
• Blocking strength

Endurance:

• Number of laps in 2 minutes

Other:

• Positive Attitude
• Basic knowledge of the sport
• Ability to listen and apply new knowledge and willingness to be a part of the league!