Lesson #4: Game concepts ======================== *by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil* `Watch this lesson on YouTube `_ Last updated: January 9, 2019 Game types ---------- - Sanctioned games are regulation games that count towards rankings within a specific organization. - WFTDA sanctions adult women’s derby - MRDA sanctions adult men’s derby - JRDA sanctions junior (18 and younger) derby. - JRDA has females only, males only, and open divisions. - In a sanctioned game, teams may have a maximum of 15 skaters. - Regulation games are games played using the WFTDA rules, officiating procedures, and officiating cues/codes/signals with no deviations. - American (but not all international) games must also adhere to WFTDA safety guidelines. - In regulation and non-regulation game there is no maximum number of skaters. - Participating teams may agree upon a maximum in advance of the game. - Other (aka non-regulation) games are those played that deviate from the regulation game requirements. - Example: 30-minute games. In bounds, out of bounds, down, and upright ------------------------------------------- - A skater is out of bounds if they touch beyond the track boundary line with any part of their body. - Exception: touching beyond the track boundary line with one hand or arm - The track boundary line itself is considered in bounds - A skater is straddling when they are touching both in and out of bounds at the same time. - A skater is down when they have both hands on the floor, one or both knees, or are in a prone position. - One hand or arm touching the floor is not down. - A skater is upright if they are not down - Falling is upright until they are down. The pack -------- - The pack is the largest group of upright, in bounds blockers from both teams skating or standing in proximity. - If the pack is destroyed, a strict set of rules is enabled until it is reformed - A no pack situation is when a single pack does not exist - This can be two or more equal-sized packs - The engagement zone is an area stretching from 20 feet in front of the pack to 20 feet behind it. - This is where the bulk of gameplay takes place - Blockers must remain inside the engagement zone - An upright, in bounds blocker in the engagement zone is in play - Out of play blockers must immediately return to the engagement zone - The engagement zone does not extend out of bounds. Jammers and lead jammer ----------------------- - A jammer not wearing a helmet cover is an inactive jammer - Inactive jammers cannot earn passes towards scoring or lead jammer status - Inactive lead jammers cannot call off the jam - Exception: if the lead jammer’s helmet cover was removed through natural gameplay or an opponent’s action - An inactive jammer may still leave the engagement zone - An inactive jammer may put the jammer helmet cover on their head to become active - The lead jammer is the first jammer who… - Establishes a superior position to the foremost in play Blocker, having already - Earned a pass on all other Blockers (except those ahead of the engagement zone) - A jammer loses the ability to become lead jammer if they… - Remove their helmet cover - Receive a penalty - Exit the front of the engagement zone without first earning lead jammer - A pivot-turned-jammer (following a star pass) cannot become lead jammer Blocking and assisting ---------------------- - A block is physical contact made to an opponent, and any movement or placement of one’s body to impede the opponent's speed or movement - The initiator of a block is the person who causes the block to occur. - A block can have multiple initiators. - A positional block is a block without contact wherein a skater positions themself so as to impede an opponent. - Positional blocks need not be intentional - An assist is physical contact to a teammate that affects their movement - Blocking and assisting must occur while upright within the engagement zone - Exception: Jammer vs. jammer blocking - Exception: Counter-blocking while out of play - Counter-blocking beyond what is required for safety is considered a separate block - Exception: Passively assisting while straddling the track - Other minor exceptions - A block can be initiated with any part of the body - Exception: The head - Exception: Hands, forearms, and elbows - Exception: Legs below mid-thigh - It is legal to block any part of an opponent’s body (ie; target zones) - Exception: Neck and head - Exception: The back, including the butt and back of the legs - Exception: Legs below mid-thigh Other concepts -------------- - Game flow is the natural progression of the game, ideally without undue delays - If a team has five or fewer skaters (after injuries, foul-outs, etc.), the head referee may declare a forfeit. This is rare, and is done after consulting with both team captains. - The teams and head referee may mutually suspend play due to safety concerns, problems with the venue or track, etc. - There is no such thing as an inactive pivot. A pivot not wearing their pivot cover loses all privileges of being pivot until they again wear the cover.