THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WOMEN’S FLAT TRACK DERBY ASSOCIATION (WFTDA) ISSUE 3, SPRING 2009
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or group presents an idea or proposal and skaters are allowed to ask questions and give suggestions. Open discussion should lead to modifications of the proposal. After everyone has talked about the proposal, it’s presented to the league again with any changes added. Each person then responds with a hand signal. A fist is major objection called a block. A block should never be used because you don’t like the skater presenting or because you think the idea is stupid. A block is only used if you cannot live with the idea and you are willing to give reasons why. Fist: I cannot live with this proposal and I will not allow it to pass one finger: I still need to discuss the proposal more / I have suggestions two fingers: I am open to the proposal, but I would like to discuss the proposal more three fingers: I like the proposal and I am willing to pass it four fingers: Good proposal, I will help work on that proposal five fingers: Great proposal, I would like to be a leader or chair The proposal doesn’t move forward until everyone is voting with three fingers or higher. If the league accepts the
proposal it passes. An overall negative response means it doesn’t pass or it gets dropped completely. If the league is mixed, the proposal should be tabled until your next meeting. The item can be reworked to respect all voiced concerns. This can take more time, but allowing members to have power validates each skater and creates policies that everyone can live with. building trust As with many sports leagues, we frequently focus on trusting each other on the track but forget how important it is to trust each other in the day-to-day challenges of running a business together. League meetings are likely one of the few places that the majority of leagues are together off skates and it is a great place to establish trust. When communication isn’t clear and open it can lead to derby drama. Everyone may have all the right intentions, but without trust even the simplest task can be a huge headache. A league can build and maintain trust by following a few basic rules: • Consider everyone. It’s easy in derby to treat fresh meat, refs, coaches and volunteers as second class citizens.
• Willingness to forgive helps resolve issues that can affect the entire league and shows your openness to increase a league-wide sense of well-being. • Follow your instincts – we all have a pretty good idea of what is right and wrong in most situations. • Learn when and how to apologize. Example: “I’m sorry you feel that way” is not an apology, but a way to place blame on the person that disagrees. • Keep your integrity, keep your promises and tell the truth. is it worth it? It can be difficult to change the way your league runs meetings. We all get lazy and creating new practices takes time, but collaboration usually improves your results. A willingness to try alternative structures and methodologies to find what works best for your league can improve your meetings, your business and your relationships. Working with your leaguemates through collaborative meeting processes is well worth the challenge. With greater interaction in meetings, more meaningful decisions can be made quickly, which increases the effectiveness of your meetings and your business.
common sense meeting norms • Be willing to hear opinions that differ from your own. • Phrase your complaints as constructive criticism to the best of your ability. • Be respectful of all participants.
• Be patient with the process. • Don’t withhold information; share your knowledge.
• Be informed – it’s your responsibility to know what is going on. • Don’t be defensive.
• Don’t lobby or argue only to get your way.
• Don’t repeat what has already been said. Honor everyone’s time.
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business
making money with merch League merch is a great way to raise money – fans and other derby girls alike love t-shirts and inexpensive collectables like buttons, stickers and patches. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that providing a decent stock of merchandise can mean a significant amount of money up front, so you want to make sure that what you are purchasing is going to bring in a profit. Here are some basics on keeping your league’s merch lucrative: don’t forget the basics For new leagues or those with little money to spend on merchandise up front, the classics are always a good place to start. Be sure to keep shirts with your league logo in a variety of sizes – black is always a good seller over brighter colors in the long run – and add shirts with the logos of each team if possible. Once you have a good inventory established, it might be fun to add different colored shirts to mix it up; something unique that stands out in a sea of black or white may grab customer’s eyes at first glance. Other basics that cost little to nothing to stock are stickers,
start small Now that you have a great stack of standard merch for sale, start experimenting with cheaper items that have your league logo on them. If they sell, you will not only make a profit, but all those people using your gear will be advertising for you for free! Consider pens, keychains, temporary tattoos and magnets to add to your store. If you find that you just can’t get rid of them down the line, no problem – use them as crowd giveaways or hand them out at events. You’ll still get the benefit of free advertising with little cost.
drink up Roller derby and alcohol seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. If your league is one of many that serves beer or cocktails at bouts, capitalize on it! Coozies are a great cheap item for fans, as are bottle opener keychains and shot glasses. Shop around – you can find anything from cheaper plastic shot glasses to pricier glass ones, and you may even consider creating a set with each of your team’s logos!
buttons and patches. Your league may consider investing in a button maker and stamping your own
show the sporty side While alcohol usually sells, your league may have a dry venue. It is also a good idea to provide athletically-geared
pins since parts cost
merch to encourage your league’s kick-ass and sporty
mere pennies. Cheaper items like these can also make great giveaways, and you can guage interest in funkier designs or mottos that may differ from your standard logo without purchasing a bunch of shirts up front.
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image. Water bottles, wristbands and socks are less expensive options while something like a gym bag with your league’s logo may be worth considering.
think about themes Be unique and offer something that customers and other derby girls won’t find anywhere else. Think about your league’s location and the theme surrounding your logo or name. Do you live in a really cold area? Offer fun embroidered hats or scarves. By the ocean? Maybe a beach towel or something outdoorsy like a Frisbee is calling for your logo. Consider those fun team names your league created and play off of those if possible.
teammates in record time. These athletes developed leg and ankle strength in their respective sports, whereas the strategy of roller derby becomes nearly the entire challenge for them. Other leagues that prematurely begin scrimmaging and learning through mistakes face a longer road ahead because the mental effort of skating alone without a solid foundation leaves these players disadvantaged. Instead, plan to bring your skaters into the league with the understanding that they will not begin actively scrimmaging until they complete their skating fundamentals training. I recommend three to six months of focused roller skating with no promise of active roller derby until the rookie squad can prove a solid foundation and confidence on roller skates. If your league begins scrimmaging your newly minted fresh-lady squad in haste, there are a variety of beginner mistakes that can be hugely exacerbated by the game of roller derby: • Posture – Beginners usually have weak hamstring and quadriceps that support the body as well as aid in the propulsion of striding. To compensate, these skaters begin to straighten their legs and bend their backs as they tire, thus shifting their body weight forward and off of their heels. This shift significantly alters their center of gravity and, with a good jolt from any direction, makes it likely they will fall forward onto their face or hands.
• Cornering – Novice roller skaters are notorious for twisting their shoulders (and hips) in the direction of the track’s oval when skating fast. This shift opens up their right hip and prevents their body from leaning into the curve. It also increases the likelihood that if checked, the skater will rotate completely and fall. • Kicking back (toe flicking) – Inexperienced skaters will likely reach their right skate in front of their left but not across the plane that extends in front of their left foot when crossing over. This causes a backwards movement of the left foot that is likely to hit another players’s shin, while providing no advantage to the skater. • Crossing – When enough momentum is built up, new skaters tend to place the brunt of their weight on their right skate while rolling through the corner rather than leaning into the curve. Also, it shows that the skater’s leg strength is not capable of overcoming the gravitational force generated when cornering on an oval. In roller derby, this can cause the skater to be “ridden out,” forcing the skater to slide outward on the track toward the fans instead of being able to hold her line. Paris was not built in a day; I advise that you do not skip steps in the development of your newer skaters so they and your organization are positioned for success and many years in the winner’s circle.
Jason Isaacs is a former nationally competitive speed skater and former player development coach for the Ohio Rollergirls. A skater of over 14 years, he is a two-time Ohio state speedskating champion, Great Lakes Regional speedskating champion, and national speedskating semi-finalist representing the Ohio Buckeye and Michigan Wolverine speedskating teams. In addition to holding the 500 meter regional record, he was a top 15 finisher in the Professional Inline Speedskating circuit in the Junior World Class Men’s class.
DRILL drill: runners vs. trappers
purpose: to learn how to adapt to different scenarios when your jammer is in the box
One team is comprised of runners while the other team is made up of trappers. The runners’ jammer is in the box, so they want to speed up the pack as much as possible without splitting it. The trappers want to grab a member of the runners’ team, trap her, and force the rest of the runners to slow down in order to stay in play. The runners need to be aware of where the pack is to avoid an out of play call. KerryMcClain.com
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games and coaching
off skates drills N O B U O YA G A I , P E R S O N A L T R A I N E R , D E N V E R , C O
Nobuo Yagai is an AFFA, NASM and NCSF certified personal trainer in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Japan, his experience as both a certified jiu-jitsu and karate instructor translates perfectly into the agile and full-contact sport of roller derby.
kettle bell swing Objective: Kinetic chain exercise that builds the core muscles, which helps with stability. Equipment: Kettle bell or hand weight, 10-15 lb. With your head up and chest forward, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees so that you are squatting while holding the kettle bell in both hands between your legs. While tightening your abs, swing the kettle bell until it is at eye level and back down again. Repeat 20 times x three sets. Be sure to focus on maintaining your posture throughout the exercise. Keep your head up, chest forward and hips low.
roller skater Objective: This exercise is commonly referred to as the “ice skater” but is just as helpful for derby players. It builds the Psoas Major, a muscle located on the inside of the hip. Equipment: Stepping stool – you may begin this exercise without a step but can build up to a platform that is at knee height. Start with your left foot on the stepping stool and your right foot on the floor. Your left foot should be in the middle of the stool while your right foot is diagonal from the corner of the stool. Your right elbow should be over your left knee, almost touching it. Switch feet quickly while twisting your upper body so that your left elbow is now over your right knee. You should feel as though you are mimicking an exaggerated skating motion with your arms and upper body swinging as your feet move back and forth from the stool to the floor. Repeat for one minute x three sets; work up to three minutes x three sets.
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your only hope to avoid the lingering, annoying three-week head congestive ailment that events like this want you to remember them by: • Bring or procure your own bottled water. Label it clearly. Don’t share. • Don’t forget electrolytes! Your body cannot make use of water without an adequate stock of salts, which you will be sweating out. Sports drinks are available at the venue. • Load up on vitamins, zinc supplements, anything that you’ve found will reinforce your immune system. • The restrooms – well, you’re on your own there. Maybe wave a dead chicken over the seat. Godspeed. • Wash your hands, like your momma told you. Now do it again. The weather will probably cooperate, so dress for summer conditions, but do bring layers in case it sprinkles. If you’re skating, bring wheels appropriate for aged sport court. You’re going to meet people from all over the derby world, so bring stuff to trade! You can diversify your wardrobe a great deal by bringing a small stock of your own league’s shirts, buttons, stickers and other schwag. what to eat Between the venue’s snack bar and the vendors the event will contract in, you’ll find a reasonable variety of food on-site. If you have specific dietary needs, though, you’ll want to keep in mind that Philadelphia is the Land of Meat
and Cheese. The host league will make an effort to make vegetarian and vegan food available, but their best intentions may be foiled by their vendors’ unfamiliarity with the procedural requirements of vegan cooking. If you’re not finding what you need, and you have a vehicle at your disposal, you’ll find both a Trader Joe’s and a Whole Foods about five miles west of the venue. The best route is probably to take the Pennsylvania Turnpike west, then head south on York Road, but you’ll want to consult Google Maps for more specific guidance. what to drink Beer will be available on-site at very reasonable prices. You’re on your own for other libations, which will not be officially allowed at the venue. In Pennsylvania, you’ll need to find a state liquor store if you want to purchase hard alcohol outside of a bar. The nearest one is a bit south on Bustleton Pike. The host league is arranging for multiple after parties each night, some in downtown Philadelphia and others near the venue and hotels. Event shuttle service will be available between the venue, the after party locations and the hotels. In past years, many participants have elected to just stick with the hotel bar, and toward that end, the Holiday Inn Select will keep its bar open late through the weekend.
what to watch Host league Philly Roller Girls, currently holding down the #3 spot in the DNN Power Rankings, can be expected to play against a highly competitive opponent in the headline bout at the end of each day. Schedule has not been set at press time, but cross your fingers for a rematch with #2 Windy City Rollers as the main event. Other top-flight participating WFTDA leagues include Carolina, Rat City, Kansas City, Mad Rollin’ Dolls, Boston, Charm City and Detroit, any of whom may look to this event as an opportunity to make the kind of statement that Gotham made last year. A full list of participating leagues can be found at the event website. Other sights to watch for (bingo cards available upon request): • Event veterans parking opposite the building, rather than right next to it. • The Statisfier juggling more than two clipboards. • The local constabulary *cough*protectionracket*cough* walking around and glaring at people, but not really doing anything. • Derby uniforms that might not be considered appropriate outside southeast Pennsylvania. • The DNN crew staring at laptop screens when they should be staring at outstanding derby action. • Skaters noting that the only thing stinkier than a derby girls’ elbow pads is a roller hockey locker room. The oversensitive may wish to bring smelling salts. • Bane-Ana. Need I say more?
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art and media
is your league ready for its closeup? H U RT R E Y N O L D S , D E R B Y N E W S N E T WO R K . C O M As the modern roller derby movement continues its steady burn into the mainstream consciousness, it’s more and more likely that your league will be discovered by potential fans (and skaters!) who learn about you indirectly due to major media exposure. With a forthcoming derby video game release and a derby-based motion picture directed by Drew Barrymore and staring Ellen Page, even bigger waves of attention may wash upon your shores before you know it. Is your league ready to make the most of this increased exposure? This multipart feature will help make sure you can answer, “Yes!” PART 1: MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR LEAGUE’S WEBSITE Your website is far and away your most important tool for communicating with the public. FOUNDATION AND ASSEMBLY When building or overhauling your website, stay focused on the needs of the site’s visitors first and foremost. What brought them there? What information are they most interested in? What do you most want them to learn? SETTING UP SHOP Where will your website live, and how will it be built and maintained? Your website can’t help you if you aren’t able to keep it up to date. • hosting – Don’t host the site with “your buddy who can get you free hosting on his server.” This inevitably leads to access and maintainability problems. A full-featured hosting account with GoDaddy or Yahoo costs under $10 per month, and that’s well worth the saved headaches. • construction and maintenance – You may be blessed with a talented web design professional – today. Tomorrow, your luck may change. Have your site built on a content management system, like Joomla or Wordpress, or with the sitebuilder software your hosting company offers, so that anyone with basic internet skills can make changes to its content down the road. WEB ADDRESS Your web address or URL is how people will return to your site. Have you picked a good one? Remember, if you need to change your web address to fix one of these problems, you can always set up the old URL as a forward to the new one. • relevant – Incorporates your league name to a greater or lesser degree (also – is your league name at least locally meaningful?). • memorable – Likely to be recalled upon one hearing or reading. • phonetic – When spoken, the listener should be able to discern the correct spelling. If the speaker must spell out the address to avoid error, it’s probably not a good address. • concise – Short enough to print on everything – even the tiniest buttons, stickers, and schedule magnets, as well as posters, t-shirts, and other merch. BELLS AND WHISTLES • flash – Avoid Flash, Silverlight, and similar multimedia technologies. They’re spiffy, but they require tools and expertise to make changes to, leaving you hostage to a web professional. They’re also a hinderance to search engines like Google indexing your site effectively. • video – Embedded video is less problematic, because your site 48 | Spring 2009 | fiveonfivemag.com
structure won’t likely depend on it. However, keep in mind that over 1/3 of web browsing happens at work. If your home page features a clip with a loud audio track, some of your website visitors are getting busted surfing on the job because of it! COMPONENTS To be really effective, your website must include these elements, either on the home page or within one click: SUMMARY INFO One quick paragraph on (or very clickable from) your homepage, orienting them to you. • location – What city and state are you located in? Don’t assume your site visitor knows! • context – What you’re all about: “One of over 300 DIY leagues worldwide reinventing the old spectacle of roller derby as a modern, competitive sport.” NEXT UPCOMING BOUT No matter why someone visits your website, the number one piece of information you want them to go away with is their next opportunity to see you play! • participating teams – If it’s interleague, give not just the name of your opponent, but the city they hail from. • location – Venue name, address, contact phone number, and ideally a map link. • date and time – include door time and bout time. • ticket purchase information – link to online purchase site, locations for in-person purchase. • bout calendar – list all every upcoming bout for which a date is set, whether or not the teams have been set. PAST BOUTS This is easily the most neglected area of most roller derby websites. • for the love of god, list your scores! This is the first, best, and most effective way to communicate to your website visitors that roller derby is a sport. Some of your fans live and die by this kind of information. • bonus points for – Season win/loss records, bout MVPs where applicable, points/penalties stats, as much as you have readily available. Give people the resources necessary to become nutty sports fans. CONTACT INFORMATION Make sure the people you’re most interested in communicating with have a way to reach you. • media inquiries – at least a contact email address, even better if you can offer a phone contact. If you’ve created press releases, make them downloadable as well. • prospective sponsors – can be the difference between the venue you want and the rink you’re stuck with. Make sure they know you’re looking for them. • prospective skaters – provide at least an email address, if not more detailed information about when and how tryouts take place. • prospective support staff – make clear that your biggest fans are welcome to become more involved by helping as part of the league. Make sure to pick up fiveonfive Issue 4 for Part 2: Getting the most out of internet social networking.