By
rayray-kay123
on Mar 24, 2011
at 7:34 PM
Most roller derby leagues use rules developed by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).[86] The following is a summary of the WFTDA rules.[18] A roller derby takes place on a circuit track, on which players usually travel counterclockwise. The two teams each send five players onto the track — one jammer (scorer), three blockers (defense), and one pivot (a blocker who may become the jammer later in that jam). Helmet covers are used to display the players' positions: a cover with two stars is used for jammers, a striped cover is used for pivots and no cover is used for blockers. Two start lines are marked on the track: a jammer line, and 30 feet ahead of that, a pivot line. The pivots stand behind the pivot line and all blockers line up behind them in any order they choose. The eight pivots and blockers together are called the pack. The two jammers start behind the pack on the jammer line. The referee signals the start of jam formation by blowing a whistle. During jam formation, the pack moves counterclockwise, during which time players can change position. All pivots/blockers must remain in the pack (i.e., no more than 20 feet in front of or behind the largest group containing blockers from both teams). When the last person in the pack has passed the pivot line, the referee blows the whistle again, signaling the jammers to take off, and play begins in earnest with a jam. A jam is a 2-minute period during which the jammers attempt to score points. After passing the pack the first time, jammers earn one point each time they pass an opposing pivot/blocker. Pivot/blockers attempt to assist their jammer through and out of the pack while simultaneously stopping the opposing jammer from exiting the pack. If a pivot/blocker falls or otherwise becomes separated from the pack, she is out of play (i.e., cannot block or assist the jammers) until she rejoins the pack. The first jammer to legally pass all pivots and blockers once the jam begins wins the status of lead jammer for the remainder of the jam. The lead jammer can decide to end the jam at any time before the 2 minutes are up. She does this by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly, which signals the referee to officially call off the jam. After a lead jammer has been established, both jammers have the option of passing their positions to their teams' respective pivots (passing the star). This is done by removing the 2-star helmet cover and handing it to the pivot. The pivot then becomes the jammer
