Lesson #4: Game concepts¶
by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil
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.