How to Play Roller Derby

During a bout, two teams of five skaters face off on a flat track. Each team consists of a pivot, three blockers and a jammer. The pivot sets the pace and the blockers stay with them, guarding each other in what is called "the pack." The jammers are the scoring skaters and start 20 feet behind the pack. A first whistle blows and the pack begins skating. On the second whistle, the jammers take off and start fighting their way through the pack. When the first jammer makes it through the pack legally, she is designated the "lead jammer". Subsequent to the jammers first lap, they begin to score points as they legally pass players of the opposing team. A "jam" lasts a maximum of two minutes, but the lead jammer has the right to call off the jam by putting her hands on her waist repeatedly. The rest of the team tries to stop the opposing jammer from passing them and scoring. At the same time, they knock around the opposing team's blockers to help their jammer score. A bout usually consists of two 30-minute periods. At the end of the bout, the team that has accumulated the most points wins

Roller Derby and Tampa Bay Derby Darlins Fact Sheet

Roller derby was started in 1935 by sports promoter Leo Seltzer.

It began as a simulation of a cross-country roller skating race in that participants circled the track thousands of times to "cover the distance" between Los Angeles and New York City. Of course, there were occasional collisions, and as Seltzer realized the excitement involved with the crashes, he "tweaked" the spectacle to maximize the contact nature of the event.

Why flat track roller derby? It allows the game to be played in almost any facility for less cost and allows fans to get closer to the action.

Is roller derby real? The latest version of roller derby is a genuine sport and the skaters take their sport very seriously. They skate 2-5 organized practices a week plus individual skating and workouts in their free time. The scoring as well as the action is real.

Modern-day roller derby is a DIY, grass roots effort. The leagues are organized, run, and in part financed by the female skaters who participate in the sport.

The TBDD league was established in October 2005 and is now entering their 5th season.

TBDD is beginning its 5th season with 60 skaters and three bouting league teams, the Black Widows, Switchblade Sisters and Cigar City Mafia.

This year TBDD will introduce two new teams. The Aces of Eights is a league farm team for new, developing skaters and skaters coming back from injuries. The Bruise Crew is a B-leveled travel team who will take on teams from other leagues around the state.

Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) is derby's governing body and in August 2007, the TBDDs were accepted into the organization.

There are over 110 leagues in the US and around the world that are part of the WFTDA. Each year, countless start up leagues are organizing around the world.

The TBDD's all-star travel team, the Tampa Tantrums are ranked 7th in the South Central Region and made their 1st trip to their regional finals in 2009.

This season the Tantrums will travel to play tournaments in Texas, Wisconsin, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and hopefully, Nebraska for the SC Regional Finals.