Roller Derby

Roller derby is a tough and fun team sport. Players wear roller skates and zoom around an oval track. Two teams play at the same time, and they try to score points by passing the other team. Players also block each other to stop them. Roller derby has helmets, pads, and lots of action.

How to Play

Each team has five players on the track. One player on each team is called the jammer. The jammer wears a star on their helmet. The other four are blockers. The jammer scores points each time they pass the other team's blockers. Games have two halves of 30 minutes each.

History of Roller Derby

Roller derby started in the United States in the 1930s. At first, it was like a long race on skates. Later, the rules changed to add teams and tackling. It became very popular on TV in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, many cities have women's roller derby leagues. There are also men's and kids' teams.

Fun Facts

• Players often pick fun fake names for roller derby, called 'skate names'.
• Most roller derby teams today are made up of women.
• The sport has its own World Cup.

Did You Know?

Roller derby players use traditional quad skates, not inline skates. This helps them turn quickly on the tight oval track.