The Rules of Roller Derby - EXPLAINED!

Ninh explains - The Rules of Roller Derby (Flat Track). A popular American sport that is now played worldwide on skates.

Specific to the Womens Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) rules - watch this short beginner’s tutorial video guide on how Roller Derby is played, Roller Derby rules, and how to play Roller Derby.
Learn about jammers, jams, pivots, penalty, power jam, points, contact, out of bounds, hits, highlights, and more.

COMMENT, LIKE, RATE & SUBSCRIBE!!!
Also discuss on Reddit!

Video: Copyright WFTDA, Red Bull, ESPN (I do not own video footage and claim fair use).
Images: Google (Various), London Roller Girls.
Music: ‘Union Station (London Stage)’ by Capcom
Narrated, Directed and Produced by Ninh Ly

[NinhLyUK]

Ninh explains, the Rules of Roller Derby ... again.
This was uploaded previously, but someone took exception to an image I found on Google.
Taken down by YouTube, uploaded minus said picture.

[jennan]

I have played roller derby for years. This is a great video to show to new people. HOWEVER there are two ERRORS in the audio commentary.
1. during a star pass the helmet cover is not "taken by the pivot from the jammer" that would be a penalty. It should state that the helmet cover is removed by the jammer from her own helmet and handed (legally) to the pivot.
2. the correct description for re-entry to the track after a hit out is that a skater must enter behind the person who hit her out and anyone who was in front of her when she was hit out. The video states that they must re-enter behind the pivot, which is not correct.
Thanks

[bodiendominique]

Thank you! As a Dutch girl I didn't had a clue what I was watching. Couldn't figure it out by just watching the game lol

[lostthedog]

This video was very helpful. My wife and I are going to our first roller derby tonight, so it's nice to know what's happening on the track. Thanks!

[BethanyTozier]

Great explanation.
There only issue: a player blocked or pushed out of bounds must re-enter the track behind the player that hit them out, or three player that was forward of them. The pivot is not vital for a track cut to o occur.
You can find this information in the WFTDA rules, under section 4.2.2 (gaining position).

[aubreyokler]

I’m about to join roller derby and I’ve seen it before but I never really got it. I felt confused at first but now I get it!! Thank you very much!!

[RRaquello]

When I was a kid growing up in the late 60's, early 70's, Roller Derby was much different. First thing, teams were mixed with men & women players. You had both on the same team. Second, it was looked upon as something like Pro Wrestling. The whole point of the sport seemed to be an opportunity to watch girls fight with each other. Fights broke out all the time, but they were fake, like Pro Wrestling. They used to also have heel roller derby players and babyface roller derby players, like in wrestling. Each team would have a cute girl, and she'd be the babyface, and then they'd have some big moose heel girl who'd go after the babyface on the other team and beat her up, and big fights would break out, with kicking, punching and scratching. The tracks were always banked tracks. Never saw a flat track in roller derby before, so you'd have roller derby players getting thrown up and out of the track (this was the job of the men players), like wrestlers are thrown over the ropes and out of the ring. It was considered a completely bogus sport like pro wrestling, and fans were considered low brows and peckerwoods. It was very popular in the early days of TV when they had nothing else to show, but by the 70's was relegated to being shown on tape on early Saturday mornings. Here in NYC, they used to show it Saturday mornings on WOR Channel 9, which was kind of the low rate local independent station in the area. I don't know if nowadays they play it straight and for real, but back then it was pretty much pro wrestling on skates and a hoot to watch if you were 8 years old.

[Oliverthe_therian]

I've played roller derby for years. This is the tutorial I show everyone when I need to explain it quickly

[b.laZ.e]

I had a homework for which I had to write a summary and the title of the homework was "Roller Derby". I came here just for the same reason and that's it😂but the game looks interesting😁

[GidgetSwim]

Awesome! There were a few things I don’t understand just reading the rules, like a jam ending early. Nice visual explanation.

[BlueDauntless]

I started reading a book called "Talk Derby to Me".
This video has given me a great visual to follow along with in the book. Thanks.

[mich]

Great selection, featuring a game between Rose City and Gotham. Two of my favorite teams and both have had periods of dominance in the WFTDA. Epic battles.

[NickSheridanVids]

Love the demonstration of no hands contact at 1:45

[IAmMisterTterevel]

I've Been Waiting for this Episode, I Never Understood This Sport Until Now...

[dominicevery]

took me watching 2 games and talking to the medics at my girlfriends 2nd game to learn this. thank you so much for making it so straight forward! wish i knew this before hand. my best explanation to people who know nothing is basically rugby on skates 😅

[johnnysama]

You know.... I remember when this sport had its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s. Amazing to see it make a comeback in this century, though. Great vid once again. :D

[melaniestout]

I heard something about derby and this video answered all my questions. Your content is very retainable. On another hand, It looks exhausting!

[CHUSLOPEZ]

Learning about Roller Derby would have been impossible without this video. Thank from Spain

[quinlyncharon]

Loved learning about the derb....that’s what me and my little group like to call it. So fun. Lol 🌈 very informative. Will recommend to my other derby gals! ✋🏼 high five to the creator!

[Lehipsteredgar]

Writing a story for my college magazine and this was a great crash course of the rules!