Bout Rules

Hot Legs Hooligan on the Popularity of Roller Derby "It gets girls into good physical shape, girls that might not be the gym-rat type. It's one of the few opportunities for women to be physically aggressive and test themselves against other women in a way besides just competing over looks or guys."

Even though a bout can look like a no-holds-barred free-for-all, the sport has rules that cover everything from game play to sporting behavior. Rules can vary from league to league, but a new organization, the United League Coalition, is working to standardize them for an interstate invitational tournament.

Some rules directly affect whether the jammers earn points. In most leagues, jammers:

• Must be in bounds when they pass opponents to receive points
• Can pass their responsibilities to their pivot by handing off their helmet covering, although pivots do not gain the ability to call the jam.
• Do not receive a point if they foul the player they are passing or pass a player who is on the way to the penalty box.
• Do not receive additional points if they fall to the back of the pack and pass the same players again.
• Receive additional points for lapping opposing jammers.
• Receive a point for each opposing player in the penalty box if they pass all the other opponents in bounds.

Photo courtesy Frank Mullen / The Atlanta Rollergirls Opposing jammers come to blows during a bout. This major penalty led to time in the penalty box and a backwards-skating race.

Other rules govern all players' conduct during the bout. Blocking is legal (and encouraged), but players cannot grab, pull or trip one another. They also can't block from behind, "clothes-line" opponents or prevent out-of-bounds opponents from getting back on the track. Although players can use their arms and elbows to block, they can't use their elbows above the shoulder or block with completely extended arms.

Breaking any of these rules can lead to time in the penalty box. Players spend thirty to sixty seconds in the penalty box for minor infractions. This may not sound like much time, but a minute can be more than half of a jam.

Photo courtesy Frank Mullen / The Atlanta Rollergirls The Atlanta Rollergirls' penalty box is a wading pool. Players spin the wheel to determine punishments for major penalties.

Major penalties can lead to expulsion from the game or comical punishments, like sumo wrestling and backwards-skating contests. Major infractions include deliberately falling in front of other skaters, fighting, fouling skaters who are down, insubordination to officials and other unsporting conduct.

In spite of rules that govern skating and blocking, players can -- and sometimes do -- get hurt. Next, we'll look at roller derby safety and injuries.