Frequently Asked Questions

The modern incarnation of roller derby is a relatively new sport and it has only existed in New Hampshire since 2006! Below is a list of the most common questions our members get asked.

» How can I join?
» Is roller derby fake or staged?
» Who holds the ball? How do you score?
» When does the season start and end?
» Do you get paid?
» Are you Granite State Roller Derby and do you skate at Everett Arena in Concord?
» Are you ManchVegas Rollergirls and do you skate at West Side Arena in Manchester?
» Can guys play, too?
» Do you plan on a banked track?
» Do you beat each other up?
» How many people are on the track at once?
» What are the different positions?
» What's the difference between a roller derby league and a roller derby team?
» Do you get hurt?
» What are the rules?
» What is this "Wiff-ta-da"/WFTDA thing people talk about?

How Can I Join?

NHRD has an annual "freshmeat" training period followed by tryouts. In order to be a member of the league you must be 21+, have health insurance, and the ability to commit at least 7 hours per week (2 practices plus committee work) to the league. If you can't skate, consider becoming an NHRD Volunteer! We are always looking for referees, non-skating officials, stats wranglers, and general event volunteers.

» Click here to get more information about becoming a skater for NHRD!
» Click here to get more information about volunteering for NHRD!
» Click here to get more information about becoming a ref/NSO for NHRD!

Is roller derby fake or staged?

Modern roller derby is 100% real. Every hit, every fall, every unlikely comeback, and every tragic loss is completely authentic - not planned, scripted, or rehearsed. It is true that there were periods in roller derby's history in the middle part of the 20th century when theatrics were promoted over athleticism. The only thing fake about roller derby are the skaters names but more skaters are opting to use their real names rather than "derby names". Derby is fast-paced, action-packed, full-contact "real" sport.

» Click here for more information about the history of roller derby.

Who holds the ball? How do you score?

There is no ball in roller derby, unless you count the human female zipping around the track with a star on her helmet! Want to keep track of points? Follow the star! The Jammer is the point scorer in roller derby. After the initial pass through the pack, she scores a point for every member of the opposing team that she cleanly passes without any penalties. It doesn't matter whether those players are on the track or in the penalty box! Any time a jammer laps all five members of the opposing team (four blockers and a jammer) it is called a grand slam.

When does the season start and end?

NHRD's home season begins in April and ends in August. Because our home venue, the JFK Coliseum in Manchester, is an ice hockey rink, we are limited to bouting when the ice is off the rink. We do, however, play away bouts between February and October. There is currently no official season for WFTDA roller derby, however, the four WFTDA regional competitions are held in September and October, and the National Championships are held in November of each year.

Do you get paid?

Sadly, we do not get paid. In fact, roller derby players actually pay dues to fund their practice space and must either fundraise or pay out of pocket for travel expenses for away bouts. We go to our "regular" jobs each morning, then pack up out gear and head to practice several times a week. No massage therapists, soaking tubs, or personal trainers await us (although we sure do wish that was the case after a bout!)

Are you Granite State Roller Derby and do you skate at Everett Arena in Concord?

We are not connected to Granite State Roller Derby other than by the bonds of derby sisterhood. GSRD is a separately governed league altogether.We have, however, worked together in many cases for bouts, demonstrations, and getting the good word out about roller derby!

» Click here to visit Granite State Roller Derby's website.

Are you ManchVegas Rollergirls and do you skate at West Side Arena in Manchester?

Nope, we're not the ManchVegas Rollergirls either! While they also skate in Manchester, they were formed shortly after NHRD was back in 2007. Like GSRD, and the other five leagues in the state ManchVegas is a separately governed entity.

» Click here to visit ManchVegas Rollergirls' website.

Can guys play, too?

There are more and more men's leagues forming but the number of women's leagues far outnumber mens leagues. The closest Men's teams are the Mass Maelstrom of Central Mass Roller Derby, the Dirty Dozen of Pioneer Valley Roller Derby and the Bomb Quads of the Burlington Bombers Roller Derby. NHRD does welcome men as referees, non-skating officials, and volunteers, though!

» Click here to visit the Mass Maelstrom's website.
» Click here to visit the Dirty Dozen's website.
» Click here to visit the Bomb Quads' website.
» Click here to get more information about volunteering for NHRD!
» Click here to get more information about becoming a ref/NSO for NHRD!

Do you play on a banked track?

Nope. NHRD plays on a Women's Flat Track Derby Association(WFTDA) regular flat track. It's widely believed that the invention of flat track roller derby in the early "Naughties" is the single biggest reason that roller derby has seen such massive expansion in the last 10 years. Unlike banked track roller derby, all you need to start playing is chalk/paint/tape and a tape measure!

Do you beat each other up?

While we certainly do get beat up in the course of a bout, we absolutely do NOT beat each other up. Fighting or misconduct of any type is an ejectable offense. Sure, it's rough. Sure, it's full contact. Sure, people get hurt sometimes. Roller derby is definitely agressive but NOT violent!

How many people are on the track at once?

Each team "fields" five players per jam - a jammer, a pivot, and three blockers - out of 14 active and two alternate skaters on the roster for that particular bout. If you see fewer than five players from each team on the track, check the penalty box. Skaters whose penalty has not expired at the end of a jam must remain in the box through the subsequent jam until their time is up, leaving their line to skate shorthanded.

What are the different positions?

Jammers: Jammers are the point scorers from each team and wear stars on their helmet
Pivots: Pivots are the pace-setters and strategy leaders of the pack.
Blockers: Blockers are the primary offensive and defensive players of the pack.

» Click here to read more about roller derby rules.

What's the difference between a roller derby league and a roller derby team?

A league is a unit of derby governance, usually spanning a city or region of a state. Leagues are made up of at least one team. NHRD has five teams - two travel teams that compete against teams from other leagues in the eastern US, and three home teams that compete against each other for the Kennedy Cup Trophy each year. Leagues may or may not be organized or affiliated with one of a handful of roller derby organizations suchs as WFTDA, the Old School Derby Association (OSDA), Men's Roller Derby Association (MRDA), or the Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA).

Do you get hurt?

Just like any other sport of course there is a risk of injury. Every skater wears a helmet; mouthguard; and wrist, knee, and elbow pads to reduce the risk of serious injury. Some skaters even wear armored shorts to protect their tailbones. Derby girls have been known to take turns decided which US states each other's bruises resemble, or complementing each other on a particularly nasty patch of rink rash. There are even rumors of a certain retired skater posting pictures of a four inch splinter that was removed from her backside. In all seriousness, the rules of the game exist to make for exciting, safe play but injuries do happen.

What are the rules?

Roller derby is a competitive sport. Two teams compete against each other for points. Each team sends five skaters onto the track: a jammer, a pivot, and three blockers. The two pivots line up on the starting line with the blockers behind them. The two jammers line up 33 feet behind the starting line. A ref blows the whistle, the pivots and blockers start skating, the whistle blows again, the jammers start skating and the jam is on. The jammers have to skate through the pack of pivots and blockers, then lap them. Once they lap the pack, they can start scoring points. Jammers score points by passing skaters from the other team. Blockers try to stop the other team's jammer and get their own jammer through the pack so she can score as many points as possible.

» Click here to read more about roller derby rules.

What is this "Wiff-ta-da"/WFTDA thing people talk about?

The Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA - often pronounced as "Wiff-ta-da" or "Wift-da") is the international governing body for the sport of women's flat track roller derby and a membership organization for leagues to collaborate and network. The WFTDA sets standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and determines guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues.

» Click here to read more about the WFTDA.