WOMEN’S FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY MAGAZINE ISSUE 28, SUMMER 2015
proud partner of the WFTDA
fiveonfivemag.com
fiveonfive contents 4-5 advice ask ms d’fiant and suzy hotrod!
6-7 business media tips
34-37
WFTDA Planning to travel to some of the 2015 Playoffs? Here’s a run down of host cities and what to expect.
8-13
health and fitness protein bar review chronic illness and derby
16-25
games and coaching coaching to mixed generations own your self-confidence strategy uncontested jam
26-29
gear knee pad review mouthguard review
38-41
junior derby a parent’s point of view
42-43 rookie rookie road
60-63 international derby 64-65 art and media
46-50 married on skates We've known for a long time that roller derby has a way of bringing people together. For some, that means finding their true loves, and what better way to celebrate that than by hosting a wedding on skates?
52-54 the States on Skates One long journey; one gigantic reward. Find out how one league and a handful of skaters made a cross country trek on skates for a good cause.
own your self-confidence S C O T T R O B E R T S, B AT T L E C R E E K C E R E A L K I L L E R S
Self-confidence is something that may be a sensitive topic in some circles, but it doesn’t have to be a negative thing. One thing is apparent in roller derby and sports in general, self-confidence is not necessarily in the hands of fate. We can use our own self-confidence to influence the outcome of almost any play, game, or task at hand. Let’s be real, we all want a superior performance out of ourselves. But many of us get wrapped up in self-defeating post-play (or post-game) internal arguments that affect the next jam, the next half, the next bout, and sometimes this can go deep enough to negatively affect entire derby careers. On the opposite side of the spectrum, some of us get wrapped up in over self-confidence (also known as arrogance), which is something that is not only undesirable, but it can negatively affect the next jam, the next half, bout, or even an entire derby career, as well. The fact is players, coaches, referees, NSOs, announcers, volunteers – we are ALL affected by our self-confidence whether we admit it or not. Self-confidence is part of our human nature, and self-esteem that’s too low or too high can interfere with our abilities and literally own us on game day. So why wouldn’t we want to try to have this in proper perspective? Just like trying to find ways to manipulate our understanding of the WFTDA rule book, our self-confidence can manipulate us into believing we are something and someone we are not. One of the most famous boxers in the history of the boxing, Muhammad Ali, was once quoted as saying, “I don’t think it’s bragging to say I’m something special.” He also was quoted as saying, “I am the greatest, not only do I knock ‘em out, I pick the round!”
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Knowing that boxing legend Muhammad Ali was famous for these types of quotes, one has to wonder if his statements would classify as arrogance or pure selfconfidence? You can decide for yourself about Mr. Ali, but even though he completely dominated his sport, it’s sure that some would say this was a great display of arrogance. We’ve all probably at least witnessed this level of confidence before, if not displayed it ourselves. We’ve also probably either witnessed or been someone that doubts and questions themselves around every angle of the game, even if they’re making plays that contribute to a positive overall outcome. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the practice squad, the C Team, B Team, All Star Team or even if you’re a fresh meat skater in any roller derby organization, YOU have an opportunity to affect your team’s success. Players that do not play on the All Star team, this is for you. If you weren’t gunning for that All Star team player’s position, maybe they’d be able to relax a little and not push themselves so hard? And for the All Star Team player, you know with all of the hard work you’ve put in that you have skaters watching your every move trying to one-up you and take your roster spot. So unless you plan on quitting at precisely the right moment while at the top of your game, there’s a chance someone will dethrone you, and there’s just no room for arrogance in that. And this rings true for every level, in any organization, everywhere. Even if you’re in a league with one team, and you feel you have the least developed skills in the organization, your presence alone is in the back of the minds of those with roster spots. Sports psychology expert, Dr. Costas Karageorghis, of Brunel University London says, “Self-confidence is commonly defined as the sureness of feeling that you are equal to the task at hand. This sureness is characterized by absolute
Walter J. Photography
belief in ability. When you perform any skill successfully, you will generate confidence and be willing to attempt something slightly more difficult.” Coaches and leaders that organize drills and tasks that progress a skater’s skills gradually and allow those skaters to master each step before moving on to the next task tend to
be very successful. To support this, Dr. Karageorghis also says, “Personal success breeds a positive self-confidence, while repeated failures at almost every level produce a negative destructive self-confidence.” So what can we do to give ourselves a reality check or a boost as needed to make sure we are in the right place with self-confidence to help our game? Here are just a few things we can do to make sure we don’t fall into either extreme measure of our own self-confidence: 1. Gain awareness of where you are by creating a list that separates high-confidence and low-confidence situations. When making the list, write down derby situations or events where you feel confident. On the other side, list situations or events where you feel less confident. Even if you stop here, be honest with yourself in this exercise and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Create drills or ask your coach or captain to create or run drills to help you improve your weaknesses. WITHOUT A DOUBT, the next opposing coaching staff and opponents that you play will be looking for the low-confidence side of your list to show itself so they can exploit your weaknesses on bout day, even if you haven’t recognized them yourself. 2. Visualize success using the high-confidence side of your list and try to remember moments of success that you’ve had, and the way it felt to succeed, no matter how big or small. Feel it, sense it, and try to relive those moments and feelings. Many top athletes are able to produce these feelings of success at will on game day. Try it; you may surprise yourself. 3. Positively reinforce with self-talk about your weaknesses. Use the weaknesses you’ve identified and reinforce your own thoughts positively. “I jumped the apex like an Olympic ski jumper baby!” or “I should just change my derby name to ‘Brick Wahl’ with that kind of blocking” are a just few examples of this, but positive self-talk and personal positive reinforcement will help you with your weaknesses and confidence. 4. Exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. Even the top players in the world have weaknesses, or their teams wouldn’t even require them to practice, right? So try to identify the weaknesses in your opponents by studying video, reviewing stats, watching your opponents play in person, or comparing their performances against common opponents just to name a few. When you go into a bout fiveonfivemag.com | Summer 2015
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rookie road J AY P E G G, Y O U R M O M R O L L E R D E R B Y
Let’s face it, being a rookie can be tough. Whether you’ve levelled up from a recreational league, passed try outs, or transferred from another league, joining the main league can lead to a – sometimes significant – adjustment. Remember, your league wants you. They are happy that you are there because you’re the life blood that will keep the league rolling into the future now that you’re a new member of the league family. And that is what derby leagues are – families. At Southern Discomfort, we used to get new players to introduce themselves to the league, and the Kansas City Roller Warriors used to introduce their rookie skaters at the first home team games as a way to break the ice and to build that feeling of community. It’s great having your teammates or an audience applaud you. And it’s doubly important to remember that just because someone doesn’t explicitly say they’re happy you’ve joined, they’ll be thinking it.
they’ll look stupid or get a noob with accompanying rolls of the eyes. Don’t be afraid to ask. It’s far better to say that you don’t understand something – like a drill at practice or how set up is done on game day – than trying to be polite, saying nothing and still having the confusion. People will answer your questions because they were all rookies once and were thinking exactly the same things as you. This is doubly important during scrimmages. Do not be afraid to ask a referee why you got a penalty or why something was called a way you don’t understand. Despite what you may think, referees are not angry at people when they call penalties, so don’t take it personally. If anything, they’ll be happy to explain what they think you did wrong because they want you to improve.
check your ego Notwithstanding the above, nothing is more likely to alienate be positive Derby isn’t just about skating, it’s also about attitude. If people than the big I Am. In every sport, rookies have to pay you can bring the right attitude to practice – that ‘can do’ their dues and it’s no different in roller derby. Coming in mentality – and work hard, it will show. Coaches notice saying how you’re the next Loren Mutch and so much better when skaters are giving 100% and when they’re not. I’ve than all the other players in your league is going to get you seen coaches roster less skilled skaters who work their nowhere fast because a) chances are you’re not the butts off every practice over more skilled next Loren Mutch and b) even if you are, don’t say it, do it. Roller derby is a team skaters who half-ass everything. Why? Derby isn’t just game and you have to be a team player. Because giving it all you’ve got out on the I’ve seen star players dropped from rosters track is exactly what you’re supposed to about skating, it’s and even booted out of leagues because do. And smile, be happy, enjoy. You’re also about attitude. of their inability to be humble or play well supposed to enjoy derby, which is If you can bring with others. something that too many people seem to be forgetting currently. the right attitude don’t be afraid to ask questions to practice – that There’s an old saying in the north of look where you have come from and to ‘can do’ mentality – where you are going England which states that shy bairns get nowt. A lot of people – too many people It can be VERY disheartening to step up into and work hard, in fact – are reticent or shy about asking a main league and suddenly find yourself at it will show. questions either because they’re afraid the lower end of the skill level or unable to
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Caroline Strait and Ryan Dearth
master drills that the vets have been doing for years. I recently transferred to Your Mom and it was really tough on my ego and mental resilience to know that I was by far the weakest player at scrimmage and getting regularly burned by jammers in wall drills when they’re taking it easy on you. Do not get frustrated. It’s easy to say, but in actuality it’s surprisingly hard to do. Understand that if you are frustrated when you practice or play, your performance actually dips and you can end up in a downward spiral very quickly. Don’t ever say to yourself ‘I can’t do this.’ Say to yourself, ‘I can’t do this... yet.’ Remember that thing about being positive? It’s fine to realize that you have a long way to go, but it’s just
as important – if not more so – to remember just how far you have come. It took me three months to learn to do a cross over, six months to transition properly, and three years to do a half decent hockey stop. I remind myself of all these things when I get annoyed when I’m stuffing up a 180-one-foot transition for the umpteenth time. But the most important thing to remember is that everybody was once a rookie, even the best players on your team. So don’t compare yourself to where they are, compare yourself to where you were. And, most importantly it will be because, soon enough, you’ll be one of those self-same veterans that you looked up to in your rookie year.H
But the most important thing to remember is that everybody was once a rookie, even the best players on your team. So don’t compare yourself to where they are, compare yourself to where you were.
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