By Brittany Bailey, Everyday Akron team member
Earlier this fall I was scrolling Instagram, wondering what on earth I was going to do with my time when the weather got cold, when suddenly I found exactly that. I saw a post from @akronrollerderby advertising their Fall Back To Basics Beginner Friendly Bootcamp.
I am known for trying anything once and had long followed the Akron Roller Derby, watching and wishing I had the guts to do what they do. Plus, trying roller derby has been a bucket list item of mine for years.
I was nervous, but I signed up for the 2-month bootcamp on my own. I completed 6 of the 8 weeks of bootcamp and it was an incredible experience! While I did not decide to continue working towards becoming a member of the team, they’ve gained a lifelong fan out of me. I learned how to be a better skater and learned how to play roller derby. It was incredibly challenging. I also made lots of new connections with women of all ages, from all different backgrounds. The seasoned roller derby team members were helpful in teaching us “freshies” the sport and were tough in the best way when we needed it.
With their home opener is just around the corner — Saturday, March 29 at the Summit County Fairgrounds — I wanted to give you a quick Roller Derby 101 and encourage you to buy tickets to an upcoming bout. Come support the Akron Roller Derby and cheer them on with me!
What even is roller derby?
Roller derby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport played on quad roller skates.
Roller derby started in 1935 as a long distance track race on roller skates. The original sport, created by Leo Seltzer in Chicago, was similar to a marathon on skates on a small track. Sometimes skaters crashed into each other when trying to lap those ahead of them. Officials quickly realized this was the crowd’s favorite part of the event. So roller derby became a full contact sport with elbowing, body checks and fights. The fans loved it.
Roller derby terms to know before you go
A bout is a game.You play in or skate in a bout. Each bout is two, 30-minute periods composed of two minute plays, or jams.
Each team has one jammer. A jammer is the only player who can score points. Jammers have a star on their helmet. The rest of the skaters work as blockers to clear a path for their jammer and block the opposing jammer.
A Hip Whip is a form of assist in which a player grabs her teammate’s hips to swing herself forward. Does anyone remember the roller derby movie WHIP IT from 2009? This is what it is referencing. I learned how to do it, and honestly I have never felt more cool.
They call referees zebras. I can only assume this one is just for fun.
Head to an Akron Roller Derby game this year!
Check out the Akron Roller Derby schedule, meet the team and more on their website. You can also follow Akron Roller Derby on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
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