Mobile Bay Roller Derby

What actually is roller derby?

Roller derby is a full-contact sport played on quad roller skates. Below are a few fast facts for the game:

Derby is played on a flat oval track.
Teams can roster up to 15 skaters for a game.
Each team sends 5 players at a time onto the track: 4 blockers, and 1 jammer.
The jammers wear a star on their helmets, and they score the points for the team.
The blockers of both teams collectively comprise the pack.
Jammers maneuver their way through the pack of skaters, hoping to surpass and repeatedly lap the pack. Jammers receive one point per opposing blocker they pass in these repeating laps.
Blockers simultaneously play defense (blocking the opposing jammer from passing and scoring) and offense (helping their jammer get through the pack and score).
Derby is played in increments called jams, which can last for up to 2 minutes at a time.
Each derby game is staffed by 7 skating officials (referees), and up to 8 non-skating officials (NSOs).

Here is a great video intro to the rules of roller derby. And no worries—you'll learn all the ins and outs with us too!

Keep up to date on the latest rules, policies, and procedures that our team follows related to gameplay.

I don't have any skates or gear—can I still join?

Absolutely! We have limited loaner gear on a first come, first served basis. We are also able to use the rink skates. We recommend skaters to invest in gear and skates within 4-6 weeks of joining the team.

We welcome new skaters of all skill levels—including "never even worn a pair of skates" newbies! Our newbie intake program is designed to teach all new skaters the basics of skating and gameplay from day one.

I am trans/intersex/gender nonconforming. Can I still join?

Yep! MBRD plays under the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and we adhere to their policy on gender and inclusion:

"Any individual of a Marginalized Gender, regardless of presentation or the gender they were assigned at birth, is welcomed and encouraged to participate in the WFTDA in any capacity, including skating on a WFTDA charter or holding elected office. Participation as a volunteer or employee is open to individuals of all genders. [...] At the time of writing, the WFTDA considers the following to be examples of Marginalized Genders:

Women (the WFTDA uses women to refer to all women, including trans, cis, intersex, and gender-expansive women).
Individuals with gender identities belonging to the trans umbrella (i.e. those whose gender does not align with the gender they were assigned at birth). This includes, but is not limited to: trans men, transfeminine and transmasculine individuals, those who are genderqueer, agender, genderfluid, and/or non-binary regardless of their presentation or the gender they have been assigned at birth.

Individuals with culturally specific genders such as Two-Spirit.
Intersex individuals, who perceive themselves as belonging to a Marginalized Gender.
Any combination of the above (or other) Marginalized Genders.

This list is not exhaustive and will be updated as needed."

Further, MBRD is committed to uplifting and protecting all of our members, especially those who are part of marginalized communities.

You are seen, valued, and known.

I want to join, but I can't do contact. Is that a dealbreaker?

No way! We are also in need of skating and non-skating officials in our league. Both are invited to join and participate in practices, on or off skates. If you're hoping to play the game one day, you will eventually need to partake in contact. But we support all our players in working toward that goal, always encouraging members to challenge themselves but also to work and progress at their own pace.

Can I wear in-line skates?

Prospective referees are allowed to officiate in in-lines, but all players must wear side-by-side/quad skates.

Because derby is primarily officiated/entirely played on quad skates, all of our members also practice in quads. If you have in-lines you're hoping to practice/officiate in, please reach out to a member of the leadership team so we can create a plan to incorporate your skates in our practice plans.

When will I get to play a game?

All members rise through a skills tier until they're deemed safe to skate and, eventually, safe to play. This timeline is highly variable for each person and depends on how quickly new members learn and master new skills, and can range from a few weeks to several months.

I'm a transfer or visiting skater from another league.

Oh hey, and welcome to Mobile!

Transfer skaters are always welcome to join our league or request a dual roster. Simply message our leadership team.

Visiting the area and want to hit up a practice? Just shoot us a message! Established derby skaters may drop in to practices for $10.

Isn't roller derby kind of violent?

Depends on what you mean by "violent." Roller derby is a full-contact sport, and thus involves a lot of, well, contact! But there are a lot of misconceptions about what kind of contact is allowed in roller derby. Punching, kicking, tripping, elbowing, kneeing, clotheslining, head-butting, and other likewise actions are not allowed in roller derby!

Legal contact is primarily made with the hips and shoulders, and while big hits can be impressive and exciting, they aren't truly the main goal of gameplay in derby. Blocking the opposing jammer involves just as much holding your ground and agile movement as it does hip checks. Give this video another watch, and you'll notice that many of these blockers use their bodies to block the opponents without making substantial or powerful contact.

Safety is the top priority of all skaters and officials. Illegal contact made during gameplay will result in a 30-second penalty to the player. Any egregious actions like those listed above would lead to immediate expulsion from the game (and, likely, the league).

As with any sport, especially contact sports, injuries can happen, but our ultimate goal is to play the game well and play safely. There's no such thing as a professional derby player; we all have to wake up tomorrow and tend to work, family, and other obligations. We aim to practice and grow in our skills and strength so we can enjoy this sport we love, while also walking away whole to see to those obligations.

Still got questions? Give us a shout!

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