WOMEN’S FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY MAGAZINE ISSUE 36, SUMMER 2017
proud partner of the WFTDA
fiveonfivemag.com
fiveonfive contents 28-29
4-5
advice ask swede hurt and suzy hotrod!
6-7
WFTDA Day by day coverage from the first ever Roller Derby World Summit which took place in Manchester, UK.
business
bylaws
8-13
16-23
games and coaching building a better stats book let communication be your guide we are talking about practice
Jason Ruffell
health and fitness derby fuel lifting for derby
36-37 DIY awards One of the most derby things about derby are the homemade MVP awards. Get inspired with these fresh ideas!
24-27 32-33
junior derby training and conditioning
34-35
Steve Messerer
gear gear review
rookie how to run your league
38-39 how to build a team bond Teamwork is just as important as individual skill, and the bonds between teammates can really play a big part. Get some fun ideas for team bonding.
Danyel “Shoot To Kill� Duncan
40-41 international derby 42-43 art and media
DRILL
drill courtesy of allderbydrills.com
four corners
purpose: This is another one of those drills that has multiple objectives, from jammer smarts to positional blocking, clearing lanes for a teammate, communication, walls... and most importantly, doing it all in a short time!
Divide the girls randomly into four groups. Each group will go off the track (into what would be the outside referee lane) and into the four corners. The groups in the corners by turns 1 and 2 will be groups of blockers and play as teammates. The group at turn 3 will take the Pivot panties (they won’t be playing as a pivot per se, but by having the helmet cover, they are easily recognizable for the duration of the drill), and the group at turn 4 will take the Jammer panties. The girls with the panties will play as teammates.
On the whistle, a Jammer will begin. As she comes down the straightaway and approaches turn 1, an opponent blocker will enter the track from a standing start, timing her entrance so as to impede the jammer. As these two girls continue around the track, another blocker from the group at turn 2 will time her entrance and join her “teammate” (the blocker from turn 1) in forming a wall and impeding the jammer. Finally, as they approach turn 3, a girl with a Pivot panty will enter the fray, as a teammate for the jammer. The entire group then skates one lap. The blockers will strive to stay in the jammer’s way and resist all attempts from the “pivot” to clear her path. The jammer and pivot need to communicate with one another, with the pivot trying to break the wall and release her jammer. The drill tests everyone’s timing, judging the speed and matching it. The first blocker who enters will have to gauge the jammer, and get a positional block on her. The second blocker must do likewise, and both then have to work quickly to form a wall and stay in her way. The “pivot” should gauge the situation, and attempt to take out the blockers, communicating with the jammer as to where the jammer wants to go etc. Finally, by setting a limit of one lap, it ensures that the girls work together fast. They only have a short space of time to achieve their goal, and we’ve found that it replicates game situations very well. Once every jammer has gone twice, rotate the groups counter-clockwise, until every group has tried every position.
Brangwyn Jones: Photographer
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Summer 2017 | fiveonfivemag.com
we are talking about practice S T E V E VA N T O L " P R O F E S S O R " , P I E D M O N T R I O T R O L L E R D E R B Y
What is your response when a coach asks you to “give 110%”, “leave it all out there”, or “practice how you are going to play?” saying that it’s important that skaters experience the game I’m in my seventh year of coaching now, and I know I’ve at full speed during practice on a regular basis. You don’t said these things many times. The obvious meaning is that want a teammate to get hit or blocked at 100% for the first most coaches are trying to get the most out of every skater time during a game by an opponent. Also, you are FAR more and want them to push past what they feel their limit is. likely to be out of position and in poor form There is a deeper meaning, though (whether when not “giving 110%.” This increases the you realize it or not), that is very important, chance for injury for you and your teammates. for your health and your teams success, as It’s important Our game continues to evolve, becoming to why you should practice hard and at full that skaters more strategic. With that, it requires us to speed (unless otherwise directed for experience the work on specific strategies during the limited a specific drill). I decided to track our major injuries game at full speed practice time we have. If you have even one (including concussions) over the past two during practice on skater who is half-assing it, not only are there health risks, but now you are not years and found that most of them were due a regular basis. properly preparing for your game, meaning to skaters not playing at full speed and/or not you are punishing your team mates. Your being in proper position. The other interesting teammates and coaches will pick up on this fact that backed this up was that most and it can cause tension, negativity, and possibly others injuries occurred during practice and not our games. This following suit. Again, I call this the “A.I. Affect.” was very eye opening to us and inspired me to create the When you practice at 75%, I assume that is going to be “don’t be A.I.” philosophy during practice. For those that your level of play for the upcoming game. When it comes haven’t seen it, please search and watch the Allen Iverson time to select the roster, myself and the captains keep that (former NBA player) “practice” news conference. He was in mind and we have benched skaters who had a poor known for not taking practice seriously, though he played attitude/work ethic during practice. It can give your coach hard on game day. This mentality, along with how he played, the impression that you aren’t understanding or capable earned him the distinction of being one of the most selfish of handling the current strategy (which is probably not the players in the NBA. His teams rarely did well, though he case), again jeopardizing your roster spot. Just because you scored a lot. How does this translate to you and your team? First off, make attendance and pay dues should not guarantee that I’m not suggesting that you try to hit a team mate (especially you have EARNED your roster spot, regardless of your newer skaters) as hard as possible and hurt someone. I am experience or skill level.
You are FAR more likely to be out of position and in poor form when not “giving 110%.” This increases the chance for injury for you and your teammates.
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Summer 2017 | fiveonfivemag.com
Jules Doyle
We have all given time, money, blood, sweat, and tears for this sport that we love. Anything worth doing is worth doing correctly. Roller derby is a team sport that requires us to practice as a team, a unit operating like a well-oiled machine. Don’t be the skater who shows up to a game having blown off practice yet expects to be a superstar with the team looking fantastic. I promise that if you and your teammates give it your all during practice, you will see less injuries and will enjoy game day much more. And yes... we’re talking about practice.H
I promise that if you and your teammates give it your all during practice, you will see less injuries and will enjoy game day much more.
fiveonfivemag.com | Summer 2017
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