As the Derby City Rollergirls prepare for their last home bout until July 26, Mel O’Drama took time out to get everyone up to speed what’s going on with the team and the Roller Derby scene! 

What is the story behind the Roller City Derby Girls? How did you all get started?

Bad Penny and Sweet Mama took a road trip to Texas to see some roller derby.  After the bout they talked to some of the rollergirls and on the long drive home Bad Penny decided she wanted to start a league in Louisville.  so when she returned she did as much research as possible and got an llc and here we are today a little over 2 years old and going strong with more girls joining all the time.


Explain a little bit about the general idea/rules of the competitions 

A "bout" consists of 3 periods. Each period is 20 minutes long. A "jam" can last up to 2 minutes. Five skaters from each team line up on the track. One pivot, three blockers and one jammer. The pivot sets the pace for the pack of skaters and is the last line of defense. (She wears a stripe on her helmet.) The blockers, who stay behind the pivot, work against one another to prevent the opposing jammer from getting through the pack while assisting their own jammer. The jammers are the
point scoring players. (They wear a star on their helmet.) The first whistle blow releases the pack (pivots and blockers). The second whistle releases the jammers, who are lined up 20 feet behind the pack. The jammers fight their way through the pack. The first jammer to make it through the pack legally is declared the "lead jammer". The lead jammer has the privilege of calling off or ending the jam. She does this by placing her hands on her hips. If there is no lead jammer, the jam will
last a full two minutes. After the initial trip through, a jammer scores one point for each opposing player she passes legally. One major penalty or four minor penalties will get you sent to the penalty box for one minute. Illegal moves include elbows, tripping, blocking from behind and holding, just to name a few.

Here is short video too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T8izdlc-dY&feature=related 

 

What do you consider to be a highlight of each event, or what can fans expect to see when they come out to watch?

Well our slogan is "hot chicks, hard wood", but now that we are at the fairgrounds we are on concrete.  It’s the same idea.  Like I tell everyone, it's all hard when you fall on it.  Fans can expect to be entertained from the moment they enter the arena until the second they leave.  Hard hits, falling, attitudes, and aggressive women that want to win more than anything else.

How often do you all practice? What's the general gist of the "team atmosphere" with this group?

We practice at least twice a week, but there are three practice times to choose from.  The atmosphere is very family-like.  We all love each other very much and must always remember that "what happens on the track, stays on the track."  We all have really bonded over our love for the sport and the wonderful friendships we have made are so special and dear to our hearts!

What else would you like everyone to know about the team or roller derby in general?

Roller derby is a sport played by tough females that love to play hard and work hard!

 

The bout vs. the Cincinnati Rollergirls is this Saturday, April 5th beginning at 7 pm with doors opening at 5:30 PM at west hall at the fairgrounds.  The cost is $10 before the bout or $15 at door.   

For more information, please visit www.derbycityrollergirls.com.