Top 8 How To Become A Roller Derby Girl 24 Most Correct Answers

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How do I get started in roller derby?

Roller Derby: How to Get Started
  1. Ask yourself: “Why do I really want to play roller derby?” …
  2. Do some research. …
  3. Contact your local roller derby recruitment coordinator. …
  4. Attend a bout. …
  5. Skate. …
  6. Ask yourself again: is this what you want to do? …
  7. Work out, eat right, and take care of your body. …
  8. Skate some more.

Is it hard to learn roller derby?

Well, the reason is, and I’m not going to lie to you, I’ll say it again, Roller Derby Is Tough. It’s about time we were honest about it. It’s up there with surfing, skateboarding, rugby and many other sports that look cool – but in reality require grit, determination and sheer bloody-mindedness to master.

How do I get in shape for roller derby?

Check out the Stability pre-hab for ideas. Focus your off-skate training on your “skating muscles,” with squats, lunges, and other exercises for glutes, adductors and abductors. Step-ups onto benches and chairs are great for replicating aspects of the skating stride.

How do I prepare for roller derby tryouts?

Preparing for roller derby fresh meat tryouts
  1. You should definitely roller skate first. It’s pretty essential.
  2. Did I say you should roller skate? You should really roller skate. …
  3. Find out if you can go to a clinic first. …
  4. Watch a bout first. …
  5. Research. …
  6. Have an achievable goal. …
  7. Try to learn all you can. …
  8. Eat like a normal person.

How old can you be to join roller derby?

How old do you have to be to join roller derby? Does it vary for each state? Most leagues require skaters to be at least 18 years old and some require that skaters be over 21. It depends on the individual league’s policy, state and local laws, and the insurance coverage the league subscribes to.

Can you play roller derby if you’re small?

There is no special secret to being small and playing roller derby, it’s just hard work and no fear. If you really want to succeed, then the hard work is worth it. In the beginning, I believed myself quite fit but not strong. I got knocked to the ground a lot.

Is roller derby a hard sport?

As fun as it is, roller derby is hard work! I’ve played a few sports in my lifetime, and roller derby is the absolute most difficult in terms of endurance, power, agility and mental conditioning. This means that roller derby training is a great way to get exercise a few times a week.

Can you punch in roller derby?

Also, it is against the rules of roller derby to use arms, hands, legs and feet to initiate a “hit†. That makes punching, elbowing, tripping, kicking, even resting your hands on an opponent’s back for too long equal to a minute (or more) in the penalty box.   And in derby, a LOT can happen in one minute.

Do roller derby players get paid?

How much do you get paid to play? Nothing! All skaters, officials, coaches and beerleaders are volunteers and work together to operate the Brewcity Bruisers and bring the highest level of women’s flat track roller derby to Milwaukee.

Can you lose weight while roller skating?

And skating for weight loss is definitely possible if you skate for increasing lengths of time with fairly constant exertion. Skating’s popularity as a fitness activity comes from its strengthening of the legs and glutes, and the good cardio and aerobic workout it offers.

What muscles are used in roller derby?

Muscles used in Roller Derby

The stability you will need during play is provided by the core (the abdominal and lower back muscles), starting with the transverse abdominus. While the core provides stability, the muscles that begin at the hips strive to give you your forward momentum.

What type of skates are used in roller derby?

You can also go for the R3 Derby or R3 Hybrid, which is the R3 skate with an upgraded set of wheels and a set of toe caps to protect your skates. Of all entry level skates, the R3 is the one you want if you have standard to narrow feet.

Why you should do roller derby?

With enough hours, practice and coaching, you will quickly pick up on the rules and skills. The teamwork required in roller derby is very conducive to creating genuine and long lasting friendships. The players are supportive of each other and they have fun together.

Does Nashville have a roller derby team?

Nashville Roller Derby (@nashvillerollerderby) • Instagram photos and videos.


Becoming ‘Momster Mash:’ From HR Rep to Roller Derby Girl
Becoming ‘Momster Mash:’ From HR Rep to Roller Derby Girl


Roller Derby: How to Get Started | silicon valley roller girls’ blog

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Roller Derby: How to Get Started | silicon valley roller girls’ blog 1. Ask yourself: “Why do I really want to play roller derby?” · 2. Do some research. · 3. Contact your local roller derby recruitment coordinator. …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Roller Derby: How to Get Started | silicon valley roller girls’ blog 1. Ask yourself: “Why do I really want to play roller derby?” · 2. Do some research. · 3. Contact your local roller derby recruitment coordinator. If you are just now thinking about joining a roller derby team, we know that a particular cute movie and the resultant media attention have probably drawn you here. Hey, that’s fine—we are expecting you, and that’s why I’ve assembled this handy list. In my other life, we have to provide people who participate in…
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Roller Derby: How to Get Started | silicon valley roller girls' blog
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Roller Derby: How to Get Started | silicon valley roller girls’ blog

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Roller Derby: How to Get Started | silicon valley roller girls' blog
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Roller Derby Is Tough | Cornwall Roller Derby | All Stories | Are You Tough Enough

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Roller Derby Is Tough | Cornwall Roller Derby | All Stories | Are You Tough Enough Updating Roller Derby Is Tough. It’s probably the toughest sport you will ever take up. Here is a no nonsense bit of advice for anyone thinking about taking it up.
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So why is Roller Derby SO tough

Roller derby is a world of chaos

You still want to play roller derby

Fitness and roller derby

You’re going to make a roller derby player no matter how long it takes

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Roller Derby Is Tough | Cornwall Roller Derby | All Stories | Are You Tough Enough
Roller Derby Is Tough | Cornwall Roller Derby | All Stories | Are You Tough Enough

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Cross-Training for Roller Derby: A Primer

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Cross-Training for Roller Derby A Primer

Contact Us

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Preparing for roller derby fresh meat tryouts – The Dashboard

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Preparing for roller derby fresh meat tryouts – The Dashboard Updating Here’s what you need to know before your fresh meat tryout: You should definitely roller skate first It’s pretty essential. In August 2010 I felt comfortable in my new career, but needed something physical. It was my first time trying out adulthood and thought I’d like to maybe be a runner. That seemed adult. So…
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Preparing for roller derby fresh meat tryouts – The Dashboard
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Get Your Skates On: Becoming A Roller Derby Girl – HER

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Get Your Skates On: Becoming A Roller Derby Girl – HER For those not acquainted with the term, Roller Derby is a full contact sport played on quad roller skates. Two teams of five players face off … …
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How To Join A Roller Derby League (And Make Lots Of Friends) – Hartford Courant

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How To Join A Roller Derby League (And Make Lots Of Friends) – Hartford Courant
How To Join A Roller Derby League (And Make Lots Of Friends) – Hartford Courant

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The Fresh Meat File – All you need to know to get started in roller derby

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The Fresh Meat File - All you need to know to get started in roller derby
The Fresh Meat File – All you need to know to get started in roller derby

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Beginner’s guide to Roller Derby

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Beginner's guide to Roller Derby
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Get Inspired: How to get into roller derby – BBC Sport

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Ingredients for making Roller Derby Girl

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Ingredients for making Roller Derby Girl The sport is a combination of skill, attitude and fun and this beginner’s gue will help women become the roller derby girl they desire. Sugar and spice and everything nice are not the only things roller derby girls are made of. They also have skating skills, stirred in with attitude, a pinch
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Making of a Roller Derby Girl Skating Attitude

Making of a Roller Derby Girl Minimizing Injury

Making of a Roller Derby Girl Having Fun

Making of a Roller Derby Girl The Rules

Why Roller Derby

Skaters

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Floor Crew

Stats

Bout Planning

AV Club

Bout Entertainment

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Ingredients for making Roller Derby Girl
Ingredients for making Roller Derby Girl

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Basic Training — Gotham Roller Derby

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Summer Session Dates

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Basic Training — Gotham Roller Derby
Basic Training — Gotham Roller Derby

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Roller Derby: How to Get Started

If you are just now thinking about joining a roller derby team, we know that a particular cute movie and the resultant media attention have probably drawn you here. Hey, that’s fine—we are expecting you, and that’s why I’ve assembled this handy list. In my other life, we have to provide people who participate in certain activities with what is known as informed consent. That is, we have to make sure people know what they’re getting into. So, I hope this can serve as a brief guide to help you a) determine whether roller derby is the sport for you; and, if you’re in, b) how to get started.

1. Ask yourself: “Why do I really want to play roller derby?”

If your answer is in anyway related to, “It looks like a great way for me to burn calories, just like Zumba/hula-hooping/(enter-latest-fitness-craze-here)!” or “OMG, I saw Whip It, and the costumes are so totally cute! I just have to have one!” or “All my local roller girls hang out at the bar and they look like the coolest chicks ever!” you might want to take a minute to check yourself before you, as according to the proverb, wreck yourself. If you know that you get sucked into a lot of cool ideas but get bored easily and quit, know that derby is a bit intense (time, labor, and cost-wise) to be your new favorite thing for only six weeks. If you’re attracted by the fashion, or the fishnets, or the bad-ass women, make sure you’re also attracted by the sweating, the aggression, and the competition, because, ladies, this is a sport.

2. Do some research.

The first thing to do is get the basics of the sport down. Check the glossary on this blog to get a handle on terms and how the game works. Next, look at fun stuff. Surf You Tube for clips. Visit the sites listed in the blogroll here, like Derby News Network, to get the sweet and lowdown on the roller derby world. Awesome, isn’t it? Now that you’re hooked…

Find your local roller derby league. A search for “roller derby” and your town, region, or state name is one way to get started. A lot of teams maintain websites as well as profiles on MySpace and Facebook. There are some resources, including the WFTDA website and the International Derby Roster, that can lead you to leagues, but in many towns there are brand spankin’ new startup leagues that may not even have a web presence yet. Try surfing craigslist.org for your area—a lot of teams post recruitment ads there.

If your web search is fruitless, ask around. Check your local alternative newsweekly or contact the sports or events editor at your local newspaper. Contact your local skating rink, skate park, or skate shops and see if anyone knows about one. Local music stores are also a good place to check. If you are still empty-handed, try contacting the closest roller derby leagues you *can* find and see if they know of any leagues closer to you.

3. Contact your local roller derby recruitment coordinator.

Leagues vary widely in their levels of skill and organization, and this will greatly affect their desire and willingness to recruit newbies of various skill levels (which, in the derby world, are known as “fresh meat.”) Some teams welcome skaters of all levels and are willing to work with you from your wobbly first steps onward; others demand a higher level of skill to start. Some teams provide a bootcamp to help you get your skills up to par; others expect you to walk into the rink ready to roll (and hit and block), or expect that you will work on your own time to catch up to the team. Some teams will make you try out immediately; others will encourage you to attend a bootcamp leading up to a tryout or skills test. Some teams will cut you from consideration if you don’t make it at tryouts; others may encourage you to keep working with the team until you can pass.

This is why you need to contact the league’s recruitment coordinator before launching any further plan of action. The recruitment coordinator will be able to answer all your questions about starting skill level, bootcamp availability, tryout dates, and longer-term questions about the team (like required practice hours, dues, and other commitments.) This may make or break your derby dreams, so you might as well inform yourself sooner rather than later.

4. Attend a bout.

As soon as possible, attend a bout. No matter what you have seen on a screen, you must witness derby firsthand to really understand the mechanics and what you are getting yourself into.

5. Skate. Skatey skate skate skate.

If the bout didn’t scare you off, it’s time to get on wheels. At this point, don’t worry if you don’t have your own skates—just rock the rentals and see how it feels. Skate whenever you have the opportunity, and don’t get bothered by the fact that you’re getting smoked by six-year-olds on the rink. At this point, you don’t have to worry about anything fancy—just get confident on your wheels. With time, try challenging yourself by skating faster, performing crossovers on the turns, or staying in thigh-burning derby position (crouched low, thighs parallel to the floor) for extended periods.

6. Ask yourself again: is this what you want to do? Do you have the time and heartspace in your life right now for derby?

Granted, when you first get into roller derby, things won’t be as demanding as this list indicates. Over time, however, this will change. I’ve provided this list so that you understand what your life might look like once you’ve joined a typical, DIY derby team, and also to provide you with a list of things you may not have considered about the nature of playing a sport like ours.

Time

-I am willing to practice 2-4 times a week, in total anywhere from 5 to 15+ hours, depending on what my team requires.

-I am willing to spend extra time beyond that commitment working on my skills.

-Additionally, I have the time to perform community service, attend fundraisers and other appearances, work home bouts, and participate in other events as required by the team.

-I also have the time to perform duties for my team, such as joining a committee to organize events, helping maintain the website, finding sponsors, advertising and flyering for events, etc.

Your Health

-I understand that being fit for derby may mean making lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and other of life’s joys. I know that I may have to cut back or modify some really, really fun habits in order to perform better or adhere to a team policy (note that this comes from someone who skates as “Retox.”)

-I am aware that injuries are common in roller derby. (Please see our Hall of Pain if you have any questions.)

-I have sufficient medical insurance that will cover me in case of injury.

Your Finances

-I understand that derby is a costly sport to get into, and that even starter gear will cost a couple hundred dollars.

-I can budget for my monthly dues, travel costs to away games, new gear, gear maintenance, team jerseys, practice clothes, and totally cute socks and stockings.

-Were I to get injured in roller derby, I would have a way to cover my expenses and/or lost wages from missing work.

Your Personality

-I am aware that I don’t know everything. I can take criticism, and I am willing to learn.

-When I fail at something, I will try harder rather than give up.

-I can keep my attitude/temper/mouth in check, even when angry or frustrated.

-I work and play well with others. I understand that derby is a team sport, and that my individual actions affect the team as a whole.

Finally…

-I have sympathetic and flexible friends, family, and a significant other/s who will understand how important derby is to me and tolerate it eating my life and free time.

-I understand that roller derby isn’t just a sport, it is a lifestyle.

– I am ready to act as a part of something greater than myself.

Get it? Got it? Good. If you’ve digested all that food for thought and are still saying, “Yes, I should be able to manage that,” try again. If you’re screaming, “HELL YES, BRING IT ON!!” then keep reading:

When you have committed yourself to trying roller derby…

7. Work out, eat right, and take care of your body.

Do you have to? Well, no. But, like any sport, your performance is compromised when you don’t. Life is about balance, though. I am a hedonist and am not about to tell someone never to eat a delicious bacon cheeseburger or down a fifth of Maker’s Mark ever again. Just think about being a little smarter with your decisions. Turn off the television and get the extra hour of sleep. Go with the side salad instead of the fries. Hit the gym instead of happy hour this week. Little things will get your whole body working better. Don’t be that person whining about how hard endurance skating is with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth. Duh.

8. Skate some more.

Keep pushing yourself to skate harder, faster, more. The more time you spend on skates the more natural it will feel. Consider taking a skate class at your local rink, where you can practice skills and techniques that will help you become a more efficient skater.

9. Gear up.

Depending on your situation, you may need to gear up before starting a bootcamp, or you may be able to get by on loaner equipment and rental skates for a while. As someone of very limited finances, it was this monetary sacrifice that almost made me give up trying roller derby. I finally sucked it up, sacrificed my alcohol budget for a month, and bought pads, socks, and a mouthguard. I was on rental skates for my first couple of months until one of the refs, Bronco, did me a huge favor and sold me a solid pair of skates for $20. They were a size and a half too big, but beggars can’t be choosers, and that’s what kept me skating for several months. It wasn’t until eight months after starting that I had saved enough money for my own pair of skates.

On the plus side, having waited for so long I had learned a lot about gear and got to try a lot of different things out. Rushing in and buying a bunch of stuff right off the bat is not only expensive, but sometimes you find that it isn’t what you really want. So, talk to other skaters on the team—can you borrow equipment? Can you try other things to figure out what you like? A lot of skate shops will also sell you fresh meat starter kits with cheaper pads and skates, knowing that those materials will get you by until you are ready to make a bigger investment.

10. Try out or start bootcamp!

Once you’ve spent all the time you can skating and working out, and you have the requisite equipment, it’s time to give it a shot. Don’t be intimidated by tryouts—the recruitment coordinator will tell you what to expect, and all you can do is your best. Remember, you’re out there with a bunch of like-minded girls who are also getting in to the sport for the first time, so relax, make some friends, and be prepared to learn…and HAVE SOME FUN!

P. S. If you are local and are interested in checking out the Silicon Valley Roller Girls, contact [email protected] for details!

P. P. S. We get a lot of interest from ladies under the age of 18. UPDATE 6/10: We are starting our first junior derby camp this summer. Email [email protected] for information.

Roller Derby: How to Get Started

If you are just now thinking about joining a roller derby team, we know that a particular cute movie and the resultant media attention have probably drawn you here. Hey, that’s fine—we are expecting you, and that’s why I’ve assembled this handy list. In my other life, we have to provide people who participate in certain activities with what is known as informed consent. That is, we have to make sure people know what they’re getting into. So, I hope this can serve as a brief guide to help you a) determine whether roller derby is the sport for you; and, if you’re in, b) how to get started.

1. Ask yourself: “Why do I really want to play roller derby?”

If your answer is in anyway related to, “It looks like a great way for me to burn calories, just like Zumba/hula-hooping/(enter-latest-fitness-craze-here)!” or “OMG, I saw Whip It, and the costumes are so totally cute! I just have to have one!” or “All my local roller girls hang out at the bar and they look like the coolest chicks ever!” you might want to take a minute to check yourself before you, as according to the proverb, wreck yourself. If you know that you get sucked into a lot of cool ideas but get bored easily and quit, know that derby is a bit intense (time, labor, and cost-wise) to be your new favorite thing for only six weeks. If you’re attracted by the fashion, or the fishnets, or the bad-ass women, make sure you’re also attracted by the sweating, the aggression, and the competition, because, ladies, this is a sport.

2. Do some research.

The first thing to do is get the basics of the sport down. Check the glossary on this blog to get a handle on terms and how the game works. Next, look at fun stuff. Surf You Tube for clips. Visit the sites listed in the blogroll here, like Derby News Network, to get the sweet and lowdown on the roller derby world. Awesome, isn’t it? Now that you’re hooked…

Find your local roller derby league. A search for “roller derby” and your town, region, or state name is one way to get started. A lot of teams maintain websites as well as profiles on MySpace and Facebook. There are some resources, including the WFTDA website and the International Derby Roster, that can lead you to leagues, but in many towns there are brand spankin’ new startup leagues that may not even have a web presence yet. Try surfing craigslist.org for your area—a lot of teams post recruitment ads there.

If your web search is fruitless, ask around. Check your local alternative newsweekly or contact the sports or events editor at your local newspaper. Contact your local skating rink, skate park, or skate shops and see if anyone knows about one. Local music stores are also a good place to check. If you are still empty-handed, try contacting the closest roller derby leagues you *can* find and see if they know of any leagues closer to you.

3. Contact your local roller derby recruitment coordinator.

Leagues vary widely in their levels of skill and organization, and this will greatly affect their desire and willingness to recruit newbies of various skill levels (which, in the derby world, are known as “fresh meat.”) Some teams welcome skaters of all levels and are willing to work with you from your wobbly first steps onward; others demand a higher level of skill to start. Some teams provide a bootcamp to help you get your skills up to par; others expect you to walk into the rink ready to roll (and hit and block), or expect that you will work on your own time to catch up to the team. Some teams will make you try out immediately; others will encourage you to attend a bootcamp leading up to a tryout or skills test. Some teams will cut you from consideration if you don’t make it at tryouts; others may encourage you to keep working with the team until you can pass.

This is why you need to contact the league’s recruitment coordinator before launching any further plan of action. The recruitment coordinator will be able to answer all your questions about starting skill level, bootcamp availability, tryout dates, and longer-term questions about the team (like required practice hours, dues, and other commitments.) This may make or break your derby dreams, so you might as well inform yourself sooner rather than later.

4. Attend a bout.

As soon as possible, attend a bout. No matter what you have seen on a screen, you must witness derby firsthand to really understand the mechanics and what you are getting yourself into.

5. Skate. Skatey skate skate skate.

If the bout didn’t scare you off, it’s time to get on wheels. At this point, don’t worry if you don’t have your own skates—just rock the rentals and see how it feels. Skate whenever you have the opportunity, and don’t get bothered by the fact that you’re getting smoked by six-year-olds on the rink. At this point, you don’t have to worry about anything fancy—just get confident on your wheels. With time, try challenging yourself by skating faster, performing crossovers on the turns, or staying in thigh-burning derby position (crouched low, thighs parallel to the floor) for extended periods.

6. Ask yourself again: is this what you want to do? Do you have the time and heartspace in your life right now for derby?

Granted, when you first get into roller derby, things won’t be as demanding as this list indicates. Over time, however, this will change. I’ve provided this list so that you understand what your life might look like once you’ve joined a typical, DIY derby team, and also to provide you with a list of things you may not have considered about the nature of playing a sport like ours.

Time

-I am willing to practice 2-4 times a week, in total anywhere from 5 to 15+ hours, depending on what my team requires.

-I am willing to spend extra time beyond that commitment working on my skills.

-Additionally, I have the time to perform community service, attend fundraisers and other appearances, work home bouts, and participate in other events as required by the team.

-I also have the time to perform duties for my team, such as joining a committee to organize events, helping maintain the website, finding sponsors, advertising and flyering for events, etc.

Your Health

-I understand that being fit for derby may mean making lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and other of life’s joys. I know that I may have to cut back or modify some really, really fun habits in order to perform better or adhere to a team policy (note that this comes from someone who skates as “Retox.”)

-I am aware that injuries are common in roller derby. (Please see our Hall of Pain if you have any questions.)

-I have sufficient medical insurance that will cover me in case of injury.

Your Finances

-I understand that derby is a costly sport to get into, and that even starter gear will cost a couple hundred dollars.

-I can budget for my monthly dues, travel costs to away games, new gear, gear maintenance, team jerseys, practice clothes, and totally cute socks and stockings.

-Were I to get injured in roller derby, I would have a way to cover my expenses and/or lost wages from missing work.

Your Personality

-I am aware that I don’t know everything. I can take criticism, and I am willing to learn.

-When I fail at something, I will try harder rather than give up.

-I can keep my attitude/temper/mouth in check, even when angry or frustrated.

-I work and play well with others. I understand that derby is a team sport, and that my individual actions affect the team as a whole.

Finally…

-I have sympathetic and flexible friends, family, and a significant other/s who will understand how important derby is to me and tolerate it eating my life and free time.

-I understand that roller derby isn’t just a sport, it is a lifestyle.

– I am ready to act as a part of something greater than myself.

Get it? Got it? Good. If you’ve digested all that food for thought and are still saying, “Yes, I should be able to manage that,” try again. If you’re screaming, “HELL YES, BRING IT ON!!” then keep reading:

When you have committed yourself to trying roller derby…

7. Work out, eat right, and take care of your body.

Do you have to? Well, no. But, like any sport, your performance is compromised when you don’t. Life is about balance, though. I am a hedonist and am not about to tell someone never to eat a delicious bacon cheeseburger or down a fifth of Maker’s Mark ever again. Just think about being a little smarter with your decisions. Turn off the television and get the extra hour of sleep. Go with the side salad instead of the fries. Hit the gym instead of happy hour this week. Little things will get your whole body working better. Don’t be that person whining about how hard endurance skating is with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth. Duh.

8. Skate some more.

Keep pushing yourself to skate harder, faster, more. The more time you spend on skates the more natural it will feel. Consider taking a skate class at your local rink, where you can practice skills and techniques that will help you become a more efficient skater.

9. Gear up.

Depending on your situation, you may need to gear up before starting a bootcamp, or you may be able to get by on loaner equipment and rental skates for a while. As someone of very limited finances, it was this monetary sacrifice that almost made me give up trying roller derby. I finally sucked it up, sacrificed my alcohol budget for a month, and bought pads, socks, and a mouthguard. I was on rental skates for my first couple of months until one of the refs, Bronco, did me a huge favor and sold me a solid pair of skates for $20. They were a size and a half too big, but beggars can’t be choosers, and that’s what kept me skating for several months. It wasn’t until eight months after starting that I had saved enough money for my own pair of skates.

On the plus side, having waited for so long I had learned a lot about gear and got to try a lot of different things out. Rushing in and buying a bunch of stuff right off the bat is not only expensive, but sometimes you find that it isn’t what you really want. So, talk to other skaters on the team—can you borrow equipment? Can you try other things to figure out what you like? A lot of skate shops will also sell you fresh meat starter kits with cheaper pads and skates, knowing that those materials will get you by until you are ready to make a bigger investment.

10. Try out or start bootcamp!

Once you’ve spent all the time you can skating and working out, and you have the requisite equipment, it’s time to give it a shot. Don’t be intimidated by tryouts—the recruitment coordinator will tell you what to expect, and all you can do is your best. Remember, you’re out there with a bunch of like-minded girls who are also getting in to the sport for the first time, so relax, make some friends, and be prepared to learn…and HAVE SOME FUN!

P. S. If you are local and are interested in checking out the Silicon Valley Roller Girls, contact [email protected] for details!

P. P. S. We get a lot of interest from ladies under the age of 18. UPDATE 6/10: We are starting our first junior derby camp this summer. Email [email protected] for information.

Cornwall Roller Derby

Block Rockin Beast

And so as we at Kernow Krakens come to the end of another 12 week Freshie course we look at our depleted numbers from our original intake of 30 – because roller derby is tough.

We’re down to about 5 this time. It’s always the same, and one that we know is repeated all across the world. Why is this? Why do people start a new sport, hobby, challenge – call it what you will and then give up?

Why do they go and buy loads of gear, new skates, pads, lycra leggings, helmets, roller derby t-shirts, beanies, bearings, wheels, little tools to tighten trucks with. Why do they spend often hundreds of pounds on gear and then give up?

Well, the reason is, and I’m not going to lie to you, I’ll say it again, Roller Derby Is Tough.

It’s about time we were honest about it. It’s up there with surfing, skateboarding, rugby and many other sports that look cool – but in reality require grit, determination and sheer bloody-mindedness to master.

Don’t worry, if you don’t have that you can play golf or tennis.

It’s not like Whip It the movie.

You can’t just join a league and become ‘Babe Ruthless’ inside one season. But guess what – there isn’t a sport in the world that you can start from scratch and become world champion inside 12 weeks.

So why is Roller Derby SO tough?

Well, for one, you need to be able to skate. When I say skate, I mean REALLY skate. When I started as a freshie I had a good grounding in skate basics. I had been on the national roller speed skating race circuit when I was a teenager and could put the laps in with little effort. I still was way short of becoming a roller derby player. Four years in and I now consider myself to be an intermediate.

So, you need to learn to skate, that’s point one. Our freshie program teaches that but you need to put the hours in yourself. The ones that succeed go to the roller rink, or skate round the garden to practice what they have learned. Remember it takes 10,000 hours to fully master something.

Next up – it’s physical. It can be very physical. Ignore the fact that people are trying to knock you over, you will use muscles that you have never used before. If you wake up the morning after training and you ache, you’ve trained hard enough (and probably should stretch more too.)

Roller derby is a world of chaos.

It’s confusing. Once. you suss out the skating part and learn how to hit as hard as you are going to be hit, games are as confusing as hell. Bodies flying everywhere, refs calling strange decisions that you didn’t even know were in the rule book. People from the bench yelling at you. Crazy hand signals.

I defy ANYONE to come off from their first ever full game of Roller Derby and say ‘Well, I understood that perfectly.’ You just don’t.

It gets easier though. First you learn to accept the confusion and secondly it starts to make sense.

You still want to play roller derby?

Brilliant, we really want you to play. It’s worth remembering that there is more to derby life than playing derby. First up, you could become a ref. they do all the skating but none of the contact. They are also vital to the game and many of our members just love wearing the stripes and blowing the whistle.

Fitness and roller derby

You just want be a bit fitter and come along for that – doing a bit of contact but mostly just loving the fitness side of skating without the boredom of just going round in a circle at the roller disco? Fabulous – welcome.

You’re going to make a roller derby player no matter how long it takes?

These are the players that get the most respect from everyone. (Well, apart from refs when we’re on track)

Some people pick things up quicker, some have more spare time to practice outside of training. That’s cool. But YOU are a very special player, because you’re not going to get downhearted at not being able to do one footed transitions or cracking 27 in 5. You’re the player who is going to work as hard as they can in the time they have available until the make it. THAT deserves all the respect it can get and you will get it.

The one thing about the Roller Derby community is that we are really supportive. We know how hard stuff is and how much life gets on top of you and we never judge you for slow progress. Some of our best player spent the first 12 weeks of Freshies on their backsides. If they can do it you can do it. I have faith in you.

Remember, roller derby is tough, but is it as tough as you?

So you have finished reading the how to become a roller derby girl topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: how to start a roller derby team, fresh meat roller derby packages, roller derby near me, roller derby skates, roller derby kit, roller derby skating tips for beginners, learn to skate roller derby, roller derby for beginners near me

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