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Just curious - i've seen some cool Jam skates and have a plate I want to use, but I wasn't sure if it would be like, legal, to skate in jam skates? and/or if it's not a good idea? Let me know your thoughts!

Hi, just wanted to ask the derby hive mind about club merch (not scrim/uniform tops).

As a member of a smaller club we struggle to justify the huge outlay/risk involved in bulk buying merch.

Has anyone used a service like teespring or redbubble for club merch, if so how was it for the club?

Thanks ✌

Someone in another thread suggested Roller Derby might be a good model to solve a problem I'm having in BJJ (hope this isn't too off-topic).

The background: I'm an active Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor and care deeply about the sport, including getting more women involved. Right now, BJJ is probably 80-90% male, and because of the nature of the sport (grappling), it can be really uncomfortable or intimidating for women to start out. One thing I've heard from a lot of women is that women's only classes are really helpful, and along with some collaborators we got the idea for a women's only tournament as well. We spent basically the six months setting it up, and were super excited when it came together - we ended up with around 80 women signed up, which is huge by the standards of this niche hobby.

At one point as we were advertising this, we got a question online about whether the event would be inclusive of transgender women. We didn't give it a ton of thought tbh and just replied that people could compete with the gender they identified as. Honestly I don't even know of any trans women in BJJ, though I'm sure they exist — but it's not common at all.

Anyway, evidently this question and answer got shared around on some right-wing spaces, and when we actually held the tournament in December, several men signed up basically to troll us. At the actual event they claimed to identify as women, and the volunteers who were handling registration basically had no idea how to handle it. Everything got super uncomfortable and we had a ton of very heated and panicked conversations about what to do — especially what to say something to the women they were scheduled to fight first. And then that raised the obvious question of how we knew they weren't actually trans and would communicate that (they were being really obnoxious and smirking/mocking people about it, for the record). The only upside to the entire shitshow is that after a little bit they basically just left (which we didn't know because they didn't say anything, so then the whole tournament was hours behind schedule).

So obviously everyone is upset and frustrated, and what's worse, we really have no idea how to address this. When we've tried to start planning next year's tournament it's basically all people wanted to talk about, and every single idea that got floated seems to be incredibly problematic:

1. We could simply limit the event to cis women, which is what most other grappling tournaments have done, but that feels shitty and transphobic
2. We could try to turn away cis men claiming to be trans women, but... how? We can't be in the position of trying to say 'you're not really trans' to someone because of their appearance or clothes or whatever, again for obvious reasons.
3. We could set rules around trans women competing, like a certain amount of time on hormones etc., but like I said earlier we don't have the resources to enforce this. And anyways, our goal is to open up grappling to more people, we can't institute mandatory blood panels even if we had the funding.
4. We could just hope that next time we do this, we get left alone. But this doesn't actually feel like an answer, and the experience was super upsetting for all our volunteers (and organizers). I don't want to put anyone in that position again.
5. We could just quit the entire idea and stop trying to organize our own tournaments. Honestly, this is probably going to happen unless someone has a better idea. I hate what a victory this is for the transphobic, misogynist assholes but nobody wants to deal with this again.

Like I said, I got the advice that roller derby has faced the same issue and handled it really well, in a trans-inclusive way. Would love to know more if anyone here has experience with how your sport handles these questions.

Outside of derby my main hobby is photography. I would love to shoot some bouts in my free time but I don't know how to get started. Can I just show up with my camera? Should I reach out to the league before hand to ask permission? I wasn't sure if leagues had exclusivity with photographers or if its all volunteer/open to anyone.

If anyone has experience or insight into how it all works please share! Thanks <3

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!

I have a few specific questions about rollercon but I'm also interested in hearing about people's experiences there, what you've liked, what you didn't like, what you would caution or recommend from your personal experiences, or whatever you feel compelled to share!

My questions are:

1. When is the class schedule typically published? I see that last year registration opened a few weeks prior, can you see the classes prior to that?
2. How much does registration typically go up each month between now and July?
3. Are there usually classes for regional styles, like JB?
4. Are there usually classes for beginner derby refs (especially for rules)?
5. Are the organizers gradually trying to add more content for non-derby skaters?
6. Is a con pass all you need to spectate bouts? No bout-specific additional tickets?

What are your thoughts on non-players - such as volunteers, parents of jr players, even fans - taking on derby names? Would it be ok or weird?

Hey friends!!

I’m in the market for a new duffel bag with the intention of also being able to use it as a travel on for future games. I’m currently using the Adidas “Diablo” small duffel bag but I’m starting to outgrow it. What are y’all using?? I’ve looked at Baboon to the Moon and other adidas bags so far!!

Thanks in advance ✨

WHY WONT STRAVA ADD ROLLERSKATES IM SICK OF LOGGING MY SHIT W INLINES!!!!!

eta: just checked they have three different methods of skiing but can’t be bothered to add quads

Just sharing my own experience. Tagged NSFW just in case. 9 years ago I had a double mastectomy with and got implants for reconstruction. I told my surgeon that I played roller derby and asked if I could play with implants, and she basically said it was fine and that the only time they were rupturing was when forceps were used for placement.

Fast forward 9 years and I had my first MRI to check the integrity. Both implants are internally ruptured and 1 is externally ruptured. My current surgeon brushed it off, saying implant ruptures were very rare and only happened about 1% of the time. He had nothing to say about my odds of having two ruptured at the same time. I'm not sure if I believe that the hits I took are unrelated. Anyone else out there have implants? Have they been checked recently?

What do other curly haired skaters do to protect from helmet hair? I try to coordinate wash days with skate days but sometimes it doesn’t work out and I get so frustrated. I don’t like washing too often - curly people get it…it’s work. I’m thinking maybe silk wrap underneath but I want to hear other opinions.

I’m struggling to do quicker feet movements and to be more agile because on my right foot, along the side of my big toe, pain develops as I skate.

I got jam straps because I was wondering if my foot slides in my boot but I’m still having this problem.

I skate in Ridell R3s that I got in October for context.

Should I try wool socks or something thicker? Different lacing? I really dont know what to do and i just want to be able to do quicker movements without that part of my foot aching

I’m going in to my first properly competitive season and as a bit of a derby nerd, I want to research the teams we will be playing against. I was wondering what people look for when reviewing footage of competitors, is it technique, strategy, coordination? Are there things you look at specifically as a jammer/blocker/pivot? Do you use this to inform how you train or prepare leading up to the game?

Hello,

My rookie ass would love to improve on game vision and analysis. However I'm having trouble finding online ressources that aren't the same 5 YouTube videos from 10 years ago. I wonder if you had any good ressources to share, like games with good commentary/analysis, or anything else that could be interesting to learn.

Thank you !

i want something slightly harder than the booms but i’m not sure if there’s any meaningful difference between these two.

edit: i meant firm, not xfirm.

Hi,

So I have recently signed up to a 10 week intro course, having not skated since I was a child - although I did get a pair of derby skates off my local gumtree today!

Where I am doing the course does have kit that can be borrowed but they recommend buying your own and I often have issues with hats being too small. And the largest size they show on the kit borrowing form is a XL

I generally have to buy a 2XL hat (I have bought some for steampunk things and that is about 63cm, I know it may be different with a helmet. And in case it makes any difference my hair is waist length and is often in double Dutch braids.

I will measure my head again properly but I know how my hats fit and I believe I probably need something between an XL and a 2XL.

Am I likely to be able to fit in to an XL? Or should I just be looking to buy my own and what brand should I look at in that case, I have only found the S1 Mega Lifer so far.

Oh and anything recommended would need to be available in the UK, as I am based in Scotland.

Thanks.

I’ve been using a rental s1 but I’m curious what you all think about triple 8 before I buy my own.

I've roller skated so long I've forgotten how I learned. Now I find my self very hands on with our beginner's program and while they ARE learning, I bet there are better ways to do it. I've reached out to someone locally. But would love input from the larger community. Anyone wanna share their written training plan? Something I can at least build off of?

I have 84 A wheels right now and want to try harder wheels with a half split set up. The harder ones I want to get are 95 A. Is 84 A and 95 A too much difference for mixing wheels in a setup?

Hello all,

We've brought an exciting update to Trackkarma, our roller derby league management app.

In Trackkarma, trainers can create practice sessions for teams in their league.

Now, they can also prepare these sessions more comprehensively by creating exercise lists.

These exercises can then be reused in other sessions and by other trainers in the league.

It is also possible to make exercises public so that other leagues can benefit from them!

You can learn more about this here:
https://www.trackkarma.com/training_programs

I am having severe difficulty with weaving. My coach and the veterans have been giving me advice but nothing is helping. I mentally get the motions but I just won’t do it. It takes me the length of maybe 4 cones to do one weave and I have to pick my foot up after each one. I’m getting the motions down but just keep getting stuck/cant shorten the distance. I’m as far on my edges and the lean as I possibly can. My trucks can’t get any looser. I’m just getting demoralized over it. I don’t even care about getting up to six second speed right now. I just need to be able to do it without essentially walking through each cone.

My trucks can’t get any looser.

Just a general curiosity about terminology would love if there was another soul to back my point, thankyou!

Okay yall im sure this has been asked loads but please what are your tips/hacks for keeping pads fresh?? I’ve used kit sprays, febreeze, soaked them in warm soapy water and left to dry, I am running out of ideas and each week they just seem to be getting worse! I understand it’s a high energy sport which leads to sweat which leads to stink but plzzzz I swear they were never this bad and I need y’all’s help! What’s ya holy grail for fresh pads?

Hi! I've just taken over league funding for my derby team. We're want to get custom stickers and other small merch to sell at bouts. Do you have any companies you like to work with for stickers/pins/patches? I know there are a LOT of options, but we need something that will be fairly inexpensive, but not terrible quality. We want some with our logo and some just general skate related. Thank you!

Hi y'all! I've been skating for a few years and joined a local derby team last year. It's the BEST EVER and I love my teammates and I have so much fun!!!! Unfortunately about a month after I got through the 101 program, I fell and got two fractures in my ankle :( I don't need surgery (yay!) but I'm feeling discouraged about getting injured so early on. I want to keep skating and be on the team for at least the next few years, but I've never played sports and I don't know what that usually looks like after an injury

To people who have gotten an injury and have continued to play, what was that like? Any encouraging stores y'all have? Very thankful for this community :~)

I wonder about the plate size recommendations of the Antik Jet Carbon boots.

In for my example size 8,5 any other boot of Riedell or Antik (all have similar sizings for foot length) have a recommendation for a Powerdyne size 8 plate (168mm wheelbase).

Just the Antik Jet Carbon for a size 6 / wheelbase 156mm:

https://roller.riedellskates.com/Portals/1/Images/product-page-graphics/ANTIK-Jet-Carbon-Plate-Weight-Chart-2023.jpg

So this seems a really short mount. And I really hesitate to go this far down with the wheelbase.

What do you think?

Do I 'buy' this style with together with such a boot. Or would it be better so take at least a size 7 plate?

If tried to measure my feet heel / ball pressure points by finding them with balancing on a small stripe of wood. I think it should be something like 159 or 160mm.

Or should I just go with this size 6 plate recommendation?

I think she’s already given me a bad name with the other players before they even have had a chance to meet me/get to know me, and I’m worried that a hostile environment is going to be created and that no one is going to want to be friends with me.

Anyone navigated a situation where they are on a team where tension or rifts exist and how do you navigate it?

Hello! I am very new to derby (less than 2 weeks) and have some questions so I thought I could ask this wonderful group. Apologies in advance because I know that these types of questions have been asked a lot before, but I couldn't find a thread with my measurements.

For reference, I am 25F, 5'6", 115 lbs. I am in the newbie derby program and I got skates before knowing anything about skates, so I bought the Fame Super Grip boots size 7 (I believe they are 95A and 57 mm), which I now know are not the best for scrimmage. Anyway, I want to stick to those for now.

1. How can I know the actual durometer of my wheels? I cannot tell, I bought them in-person at a store and then tried to research the measurements ... they should be the standard I mentioned above but how can I know? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

2. Everything has been going great so far in my derby program but it has been absolutely impossible to do the plow stop on these skates. Is it because of my durometer? I feel I can't really move my inside edges the way I want to.

3. unrelated to derby competitions: Regarding footwork and jam/jazz rhythm style skating (at tennis courts, parking lots, indoor rinks, gymnasiums, etc) are the Fame boots I currently have good for that? What about stoppers, or are all stoppers the same?

4. How do I know what is the best type of skates for me in terms of durometer?

Thank you soooooo much in advance!!!!!

So our league is doing decently well and are starting to talk about providing more financial support to our officials. The officials affiliated with our league are full members and several hold leadership roles. We have a handful that will travel to tournaments out of state, as well as to most leagues within a couple hour radius. For the events that are farther away/multi-day and require hotels or full day drives we were looking at providing some sort of travel stipend to reduce their financial burden. Since these events are typically higher level than we see, they get the chance to train and develop with more experienced officials and crews.

Does anyone have a similar way to support their officials and can share how your league facilitates that? Set amount per day, covering fuel, etc.? We’ll look into tax impacts and stuff but I would love to hear any ideas!!!