r/rollerderby

There’s a major B level tournament happening right now, and all everyone can talk about is how the majority of teams here are fielding all A or mostly A rosters. The team that won last year is the worst offender and will probably win again this year. Why do teams do this (just to win?) and how can we regulate? I’m not talking about A level skaters who are skating down for the entire season because they want a break/to have fun. I’m talking about teams with skaters who have dedicated A/B rosters all year long and then replace their B skaters at a B tournament with their A skaters just to get the W. My team is only fielding B skaters and are actually down players and really struggling and I feel like getting penalized just for following the rules. Is it insane to ask organizers to regulate a little more?

I made the B team this year and just played in my first game today! It was just a Halloween mashup, but it was a lot of fun. A couple of close friends came to watch and one of them came with a gift to celebrate. It was... an ice pack 😂 Hilarious and practical!

I'm riding good vibes today, just wanted to share :)

I'm part of a leadership team for a small league. We have a couple members who barely show up. When they do, they try to pressure our members into joining their other activities for other groups. Social media groups and other hobbies. They do this passive-aggressive comments in chats and posts. They say we need to show up for them.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this? How did you handle it? I've tried ignoring it. But they're not backing off.

I have spent this year working hard on a non-derby related goal, and my reward for when I finish this is to get a pair of Riedel colorlab skates.

Because this is a [scary!] non-returnable investment, I would love to hear from people who did this in the past. Does suede hold up for the main boot, or is that a bad idea? Anything that didn't go well? Pictures to share? I'm here for all of it!

I love love love my league. We are all the good things: inclusive, affirming, warm, friendly, all-gender, all-level. BUT, the place is full of uncommitted players who come to practices once a month. Most of them will never even get to the scrimmage level, much less bout level. Most of the coaching energy is spent working with these folks, because they bring the level of practice down.

I should not be complaining! I'm relatively new, I'm older, and I'll probably never be a bout-level player either. But I work damn hard at this: I attend all practices, and I cross-train every day. I don't understand why so many people think roller-derby is something you can do casually. It's not. It's very hard, and working on your skills is what keeps everyone safe--not just you.

I'd welcome any suggestions on how a league can maintain its values (everyone is welcome), while also making it clear that this sport requires commitment.

I’m a newbie who hasn’t passed basic skills yet and I just broke my ankle. I’m going to need surgery and it will probably be like a 6 month healing process until I am able to be on skates again.

How can I improve while not actively skating? I would love any ideas or recommendations you all have. Some of my ideas have been to try to learn strategy via YouTube, practice balance on my one uninjured leg, workout in the ways I am able to that don’t involve my leg, become really good as a non skating official.

Any ideas or resources are more than welcome!!

If you’re in a a home team and another team, how does that work? I’ve been skating for about 3 years and want to submit to be apart of a global team but I’m not sure how it works (Fuego Latino if it’s important!)
Any pros and cons would be appreciated too!

Just looking for some camaraderie and personal anecdotes and such; maybe advice if you've got killer time management skills you'd like to share.

I just started in a league (intro level) two months ago. I've been a casual inline skater for over a decade so I definitely had some good groundwork. My league is awesome, super welcoming, and there is a wide range of ages and abilities, but I'm very aware that of everyone I've met I am just about the only skater starting who also has a young child (3.5years). There are a lot of moms in my league but they are mostly a decade or two older than me with middle and high schoolers they can leave alone at home. I can say with some confidence I'm one of the more capable skaters in intro and have a good shot at getting on a team but all the skaters at my level are my age or younger with no kids and while I can relate to everyone to a degree its been a little tough not really having anyone who "gets" that I cant hang after practices since i have to relieve babysitters, can't make it to as many practices and have little to no off time to practice solo (I skateboard w my kiddo but he's too young and dependent for me to be on wheels tied to my feet).

I fall behind the more advanced people sometimes without the extra practice time and I anticipated that but it is still hard to experience. my other parent is super supportive and gives me the time he can but he's also in two bands and supporting his passions is important to me too.

anyways, like I said just looking for some affirmation and shared life experience with a broader community; especially if youre a younger parent dealing with that competitive ego and how you've accepted knowing youll most likely advance slower. Being a great parent is the highest priority in my life but I watched my mom sacrifice her passions to care for 5 kids and I dont want that, for me or for my kid. I want them to see me do the thing and fuckkkkk I'd love them to see me compete some day.

Roller Derby photographer videographer here. I started this year last April. Only a few more games left this year.

I'm curious about what you enjoy seeing captured. But more interesting to me is, if you aren't personally in the video or on the same team playing, what would keep you watching?

Hi all, I am doing research on the importance of mouthguards in youth sports. My team would appreciate you providing some information regarding your children's sports and the shopping experience! Thank you!