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Hey all! I just found out I have bone spurs in both of my feet. My feet have been hurting like crazy. I see a specialist 11/11 but I was wondering if anyone has successfully played derby with these? Any tips? I just started in may and being off my skates for too long worries me that my muscle memory will disappear Thanks!

What games are you excited for today?

I had a bout last week and I got some gnarly blisters, I think they were from some fishnets I was wearing. It’s been hard to do any toe stop work since then, skating has been uncomfortable and I have another bout coming up soon so I need to practice. What can I do to help them heal? Additionally how can I prevent future blisters?

Sharing a silly one from the recent Halloween scrimmage we had to start! 🫠🎃

Are there any teams/leagues in Turkey?

Hey everyone!

I was incredibly excited to start my derby journey this fall, and immediately fell in love with the sport; but tragedy struck about a week ago when I broke my ankle practicing transitions.

I've already spoken to the league about being trained for NSO once I'm able to bear weight again. I'm really bummed that I won't be able to complete the meat program this time around, but I want to use my time off to learn as much as I can.

So I'm looking for recommendations! Books, movies, games with commentary, anything derby related. I've got time on my hands and want to dedicate a good chunk of it to derby learning :)

Thanks so much!!

Hi everyone,

I started my roller derby journey in July 2024 and wanted to share my experience with the fresh meat program. Initially, we were told it would last 12 weeks, but it ended up being only 8 weeks. We had different coaches each practice, and the learning felt rushed. We moved on to new skills before many of us had a chance to master the previous ones.

To complicate things, we weren’t informed about the assessment date until less than a week before it happened. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass because I fell, and I was told I couldn't retest according to WFTDA rules. I accepted that decision, but the team never set a date for retesting. I’ve read that many people don’t pass the first time, so I felt there should have been a make-up date.

Eventually, they gave us a make-up date that fell on a Saturday—one of our non-practice days. I showed up, but none of the coaches had keys to the facility. They claimed someone was supposed to open it for them, and the assessment was rescheduled to the following Monday. When I arrived then, the facility was closed due to floor reconstruction, which they had only mentioned would start later that week.

I’m starting to notice a pattern of disorganization within the team, and it feels like those of us who didn’t pass are being treated as second-class citizens. Since the facility is under construction, the team is now practicing at an outdoor skating park. One of the coaches mentioned that the surface isn’t smooth, making it very different from skating indoors. The team president said testing would be held at this outdoor location, but I’m not comfortable with that—I’m unable to skate outdoors due to a prior commitment that I planned way in advance for, and I don’t have outdoor wheels. I recently upgraded my indoor wheels to Atoms Savants, which was already a significant expense due to the slick floor we practice on. I am unemployed, so it make it harder for me to keep purchasing things for skating.

I informed my coaches that I wouldn’t be participating in the test this week, but none of them responded. When another team member expressed her inability to test that Monday (re-test day for the Saturday), the coach mentioned they could do a make-up at a local skating rink. I feel like I’m not receiving the same consideration.

At this point, I feel unwelcome and unsure about what to do next. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks for listening.

I’m in the works of creating some content and have had ideas for years that I never followed through on. My question to you all is: what would you like to see content wise that isnt there currently?

Im working on a news segment sitch but also vlog series.

Also content for people to try announcing/learn announcing.

Thoughts?

Xo Cakes 🧁

This morning I saw a video about an 80+ year old lady who took up power lifting when she retired. At the end of the clip she urged others to take up a new sport when they retire & I think I've chosen derby! I played ringuette and hockey so am fairly good on skates and wheels, I just have to learn all the other stuff.

Are there any teams/leagues for us older ladies?

Hi everyone!

I joined Derby back in 2019, attempted assessments twice, and failed both. Covid disrupted derby for a couple years. I returned in fall of 2022, retried assessments for a third time, and I once again failed. After failing three times, I thought to myself, “Is derby for me”? My teammates continued to push me. In 2023, can you guess it… I failed assessments twice! At that point, all I could do is laugh. I enjoy skating with my team. I’m sure you can gather that I’m not a very athletic person. I had an assessment earlier this year, and well… FAILED!

My tenacity is off the walls! C’mon, who fails (I lost count) 6 times, and keeps going?!? I do! I have assessments again tomorrow. Wish me luck! Maybe 7 is my lucky number.

I have some pretty good calluses on my inside big toe and padding, but they've started to HURT. Should I keep letting them build up or shave em down?

Does anybody know any good roller derby YouTubers? I love watching roller derby related content but it's SO HARD to find because the sport is so unknown!!

It seems like the whole thing is lo key a massive violation of the WFTDA social media policy?

[EDIT] thank u little people in my phone for all the answers, that’s actually really helpful as context! I actually think it’s really funny that I’m in the banner now, it’s kinda on brand for my greatest contribution to be me being an absolute dingus 🖤

Has anyone here just not been able to learn to skate? Anyone quit trying to learn and go back to it later?

Preferably west/midwest US if possible! Google has failed me.

I've been looking online for anything or anyone discussing champs and can't find anything!

What are people's predictions? Do you have a fun inside scoop?

I'm so looking forward to watching next weekend👀 😁

Hi y'all,

My friend recently joined my derby team. He is hypermobile and extremely prone to heat rashes. He has prior skating experience and wears the triple 8 saver kneepads, but bruises through them extremely easy due to the harder hits that he takes at practice. I've recommended the 187 pros to him in the past, but he's worried about triggering a heat rash by wearing thicker kneepads. Me, my coach, and him all agree, however, that a derby-induced dislocated knee would be Bad. Can anyone recommend protective, breathable kneepads? I want to get him a nice christmas present.

im hoping to buy the bont prostar roller skates (the pink suede ones) for derby but I want to know if its a good idea first. ive been playing roller derby for a few years as a junior but im not like a crazy serious player so i dont get a ton of wear on my skates. I have been getting into adult derby and reffing and need a new pair of skates that will hopefully last me more than a couple seasons. I was thinking of getting bont prostars and then eventually mounting better plates. I have heard some complaints about bonts quality mostly toward the plates so im wondering if mounting another brand is preferable? i dont know much about bont trucks or what other brands fit on bont boots.

any thoughts on the suede prostars for derby or advice about plates?

hi all, ive just officially joined my league which means we're required to join a committee, but of course its also voting time and i've been encouraged to run for head of fundraising. I told them i definitely wouldn't know what to do and they assured me that its okay, and ill have plenty of help getting the hang of it. so i decided to go for it, but i have to write a letter of intent to officially run and I have no idea what to write. i feel silly asking because it sounds self explanatory, but i get anxious about doing things wrong. google said to list previous experience and why you think youd be good for the position, but, uh.......i have no previous experience, and i really dont know if id be good at the position lmao.

i know i could reach out to someone on the league and ask but i already ask sooooo many questions and i feel stupid for not knowing what to write because this feels like a regular adult thing that i should already know how to do. so i figured what better time to dip into the wealth of knowledge contained within this subreddit! thanks in advance for any answers!

I’m a newbie skater- newbie class started mid August and I’m still going strong. Where I’m struggling is building lower back strength so that I can maintain derby stance with less pain.

Background- I have sciatic nerve pain on the right side that’s being managed by chiropractic care and LOTS of stretching, have previously pinched a nerve multiple times on this side. I’d consider my body type to be short and a bit stout- I’m VERY big chested so very top heavy. My lower back gets very fatigued during practice because of maintaining derby stance or any drills in which we bend forward to pick things up, touch the floor, etc. fatigues my back even faster. I’ve been focusing on holding a tighter core inside and outside of practice which is helping!

I’m looking for on and off skates workouts that can help build my stamina for derby stance because I think it will build my overall stamina.

I joined a learn to skate program with a local team and I’m loving it! I posted here about a month ago and appreciate all the support! I am clearly the least experienced skater compared to the other 2 newbies in the learn to skate program. I have incredibly tight hips, thigh, and pelvic muscles etc. this has been making certain things like pivots, shifting weight etc harder. I also have a hard time just jumping into learning a new skill. I’m someone who has to fully see what I’m doing and slowly show myself because I literally cannot do something I don’t understand the mechanics of. My body just does not flow, I have awkward movements and bad mind/body connection. I’m aware I’m slowing things down for the others and need the most practice and that hurt the confidence and the ego temporarily but now I’m back in the mindset of practice makes better.

So, what advice do you have for me, certain stretches, YouTube channels, drills to practice in my free time etc! Also my skates are KILLING my feet and I don’t know what else to do to fix the problem.

Thank you!!!

I’m a beginner derby player with pretty flat feet but not overly wide. I’m between the Riedell R3s or the Riedell darts. Any opinions on which is better or if I should try a different brand?

Hi

My interpretation of the WFTDA gender policy has been along the lines of ‘anyone who is not cis male can be a WFTDA skater’.

This has been a fine rule of thumb to go by because someone’s gender identity etc is their business not mine, and my league has been primarily female identifying people so we haven’t had to think about it.

Recently we have been approached by a trans man who wishes to join our league and this has now caused me to question my understanding of the gender policy.

I believe I had reached this conclusion because I had put trans man into the ‘gender expansive’ part of the policy, but now that we are looking to make a commitment to a skater about eligibility I want to be sure that we aren’t making promises to someone based on a faulty understanding.

We have also contacted our WFTDA rep but was wondering if anyone else knew off hand so we could provide a clear answer to this skater faster.

Thanks :)

Edit: I didn't realise there was an uncharitable way to interpret this post, but realise that it can be read that way based on some replies.

This skater is allowed in our league - all skaters who wish to join the league and train with us are welcome. The question is specifically about whether they would be allowed on the WFTDA travel/charter team based on WFTDA's gender policy.

We do not want to put them on the travel team based on a misunderstanding of the policy, as this would potentially be embarrassing for that skater but would also definitely be disappointing as we would be promising this skater games that they would not be eligible to play for.

Looking for a Derby Name? Have some great names that you want to donate? This is the place for you! Every week we welcome skaters to discuss all things related to derby names, get advice on what name to pick for yourself, and talk about how outdated 2Evils is.

Have fun!

Does anyone have suggestions for learning about skate maintenance? I’ve been on mine for about 2.5 years and know I should be doing things to keep them in good shape.
Anything regarding wheels, bearings, trucks, plates, cushions, etc

I have no idea where to start so any ideas would be great!

PLEASE DONT BUY TRIPPLE 8 VISOR HELMET! I got one since it's a good amount cheaper then the s-1 visor helmet but it was definitely a mistake for me personally. I have glasses and eyebrow piercings so I decided it was time for me to get a visor helmet. I received it was was so disappointed at how small the visor is! It barely goes to the end of my nose and doesn't feel much more protective then a regular helmet. Some of mu team mates have s-1 visor helmets and theyre significantly longer if youre looking for one i recommend s1. So sad so much money 😭

I've been skating on micro bearings for years but they're a pain in the ass to change because you need adapters for them and they're never in stock anywhere so I can't have a second set of bearings ready to go and I've been thinking about changing my wheels but the thought of dealing with my bearings puts me off.
The reason I liked the micro bearings wasn't for the acceleration, I found that doing pacelines and stuff I was better able to control speed and deceleration. We don't do much pacelines anymore heh but I'm worried about losing that extra speed control.
Before the microbearings I had bones reds but I'm thinking about ceramic bearings but they might be worse for speed control if they have a lot of roll? Added complication is that I need 7mm.

What is everyone using and has anyone gone from micro back to regular?

This week we sit down with sports photographer Jenni Webber also known in the Roller Derby world as Stitch! Stitch talks about her many roles in derby that led to her current role as not only a roller derby photographer but one of few female MaxPrep sports photographers.

You can find Jenni Webber on instagram @jenniwebberphotography

📸: Bon White

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3V0q2lrJYw4zTFFTAGlsnm?si=sraILIycSHas3E5hyuJM3Q

I just recently joined a derby team with a couple of my friends and am looking for recommendations. My friend who already plays recommended 187 killer pads but I’m also curious about the triple 8 saver series and if one is better. She also recommended Riedell R3s for skates. Thanks guys!!