FAQ
{Feel free to use this FAQ to answer questions about Flat Track Derby in print, online, and with your friends, but if you quote it directly, please give credit where credit is due... that's me: Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan. Thank you!}

What's happening in a Flat Track Derby bout?
There are three positions: jammer, blocker, and pivot. During a period of play called a "jam," one jammer from each team sprints through the pack of eight skaters, while the opposing players try to stop her. The pack starts with pivots in front, blockers in the middle, and jammers at the back. When the pack is in formation, the ref blows the whistle and all the skaters except the jammers start rolling. Then the ref blows two short whistle-blasts to signal the jammers to take off. The first jammer to fight her way through the pack becomes lead jammer.

How is Flat Track different from traditional roller derby?
With the Texas Rollergirls bout, every bout starts with a rockin' soundtrack from our featured DJ, and a live performance by an Austin-based band (Sometimes we let foreigners play -- even from California.) Because we can't ever get enough live music in Austin, we bring in another band at half-time to keep the beat going.

One of the most obvious differences between old school roller and Flat Track Derby is the playing surface -- we ditched the banked track. In the old days, the stunts were choreographed to help insure the safety of skaters and to add flair to the games. Our sport is played without a banked surface, without rails, and without a script.

Because we don't get the inertia created by a banked track, Flat Track Derby skaters work harder to maneuver through the pack and score points. The extra effort pays off in tighter butts, stronger legs, and bragging rights.

Fans line up hours before a bout to insure a floor seat within a few feet of the track's edge, called the Blue Line. Later, they brag about the bruises they got when a Rollergirl landed in their laps. (Worn by a skater or a fan, a bruise is a badge of honor.)

Why Flat Track instead of Banked Track?
The best reason to go the Flat Track route is that it means girls can play the new sport of Flat Track Derby almost anywhere. All you need to get started is skates and safety gear; a smooth, flat space; and the willingness to go helmet-to-helmet with other skaters. Tennis courts, basketball courts, parking lots, and skating rinks can instantly become a Flat Track Derby venue. A banked track has several drawbacks: it's expensive to buy and the damn thing needs to be stored. In the old days, flipping an opponent over the rail was a popular trick. But those rails created a big ol' barrier between the skaters and the audience.

With Flat Track, the only thing between the skaters and their fans is good and bad intentions. As Eight Track (formerly of the Texas Rollergirls) always says: "Why take out a railing when you can take out a crowd?"

What is the Women's Flat Track Derby Association?
The WFTDA was formed in 2005 to regulate the new sport of Flat Track Derby. It started as a ragtag, online discussion group of Rollergirls who wanted to share ideas and support each other. Now, it's an official membership organization. But the DIY roots are still intact -- everyone associated with WFTDA is a volunteer and a skater.

The WFTDA mission statement spells it out in grown-up language:
"The mission of the WFTDA is to promote and foster the sport of women's flat-track roller derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportswomanship, and goodwill among member leagues. The governing philosophy is, "by the skaters, for the skaters." Women skaters are primary owners, managers, and operators of each member league and of the coalition. The operational tasks of the coalition are to set standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and to determine guidelines for the presentations of the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues. All member leagues have a voice in the decision-making process, and agree to comply with the governing body's policies."

But the bottom line is this: Skaters always come first -- and no one is going to seat themselves at the top of the organization and hand down edicts. It's a messy democracy, and WFTDA members won't have it any other way.

What does a league have to do to join the WFTDA?
For complete details about joining WFTDA, visit the Women's Flat Track Derby Association web site.

What is the Flat Track Derby competitive season?
Most of the leagues across the country play about once a month, from February/March through August/September. Then the official inter-league bouting season takes off, and Rollergirls travel around the U.S. of A., spreading the gospel of Flat Track Derby with tournaments, exhibitions, and other inter-league play. As the WFTDA matures, we expect the season to become more standardized, without losing our punk rock prerogative to do whatever we want.

Where are Flat Track Derby bouts held?
Most leagues hold their bouts at traditional skating rinks. There's something oddly appealing about those old carpet-covered walls, glitter balls, and ugly brown skates. But as our sport grows, we're also starting to play in larger arenas and convention centers that let us welcome more fans into our Flat Track Derby family. Drive through a Derby town on a Sunday afternoon, and you're likely to catch a pick-up game on a neighborhood basketball court.

How much are tickets to Flat Track bouts?
The leagues across the country charge from $8 to $12 per bout -- and you get a whole lot of entertainment bang for your buck. Compare a Flat Track Derby bout -- beautiful girls, fast skating, an occasional brawl, audience interaction -- with the price of other pro sports and decide for yourself which is the better deal.

Is it OK to bring my kids to a bout?
While not strictly defined as "family entertainment," Flat Track Derby bouts are family-friendly. Most leagues allow munchkins in for free and keep the action PG-13. Flat Track Rollergirls are role models, and we take the importance of sports for young people very seriously. Bring the kids! It'll be good for ‘em!

How often do you practice?
Most leagues have both mandatory and optional practices on their home rinks that focus on endurance training(how many circles can one Rollergirl skate in her lifetime?), derby-specific drills, scrimmage games, and strength work. Most Rollergirls are so hooked on skating, we get out on our wheels as often as we can: bike paths, parking garages, open sessions at the rink, skateboard parks, city sidewalks (trying to avoid the fuzz), and our kitchen floors are all fair game.

Cross-training and weight lifting are important for injury prevention, and because our bodies take such a beating, we rely on therapeutic TLC like stretching, massage, chiropractic visits, pilates, and yoga to keep us in top shape.

How long is a Flat Track bout?
The official game length for inter-league play, as defined by WFTDA, consists of three 20-minute periods. For home games, individual leagues may change that up a bit. The Texas Rollergirls play double-headers -- each pair of teams plays two 20-minute halves.

Are the fights real?
Are stilettos the work of the devil? Hell, yeah, the fights are real!

We're good friends at practice... supportive, helpful, complimentary: "No you looked totally hot at the last game!"

But once the whistle blows, the ladylike white gloves are off. While we're mostly friendly girls off the track, when we're skating, we are our personas. We're not called Melicious, Misty Meaner, The Wrench, Lucille Brawl, and Trouble for nothing. Rollergirls are tough. Competitive. Hot-headed. Some might even say, mean.

Skating with ten strong women on a small oval track can be infuriating. There are times when a good take-down is even better than a good jam. A brawl can be a brilliant strategic move or a safety-valve to let off steam. From time to time, a girl just really needs her ass kicked.

Are the scores and winners decided before the game?
No. Rollergirls are an extremely determined, competitive group, and every team hits the track knowing that they could win or they could lose. Flat Track Derby is our hobby, but it's also our sport--and it's one we play with passion.

Do skaters get hurt at bouts?
Sometimes. Flat Tack Derby is a full-contact sport. We wear safety gear -- helmets, mouthguards, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards -- and we have insurance to help us out when accidents happen. And accidents do happen. Many Flat Track Derby leagues include photo galleries of their bruises and injury Halls of Fame.

Can audience members get hurt at a bout?
They might. One of the thrills of the Flat Track is that Rollergirls sail into the audience, knocking over beers and getting up-close-and-personal. Common sense will tell you that if you're sitting three or four feet from the track, you're running a substantial risk of getting a lap full of Rollergirl. It might be a cute li'l jammer, or a bruisin' blocker. But don't worry! Sit as close as you want because most leagues have insurance for their audience, too.

Who are your coaches?
Most roller derby leagues use a mix of Rollergirls and speed coaches to whip their asses into shape. The Texas Rollergirls coaches are also the nationally-ranked coaches for the Texas Speed Team: Sonny "The Boss" Felter and Debra "Quicksilver" Smotrilla.

Do Rollergirls get paid?
Flat Track Rollergirls don't earn a salary or hourly wage for playing our sport. We buy our own equipment, gear, and uniforms, too. (All that hair dye, tattoos, replacement pads, and zippy wheels adds up, too!) Some of the costs of keeping us rolling is offset by sponsorships, but we're still DIY, and glad to keep it that way.

We all play Flat Track Derby because we love it. Most of us, however, are equal owners of our leagues, and some leagues are set-up as non-profit organizations. The bottom line is that most of us have chosen to either roll profits back into our sport and/or donate money to local charities.

What do you mean by "By the skaters, for the Skaters"?
That motto guides every decision made by the Texas Rollergirls, as well as the leadership of many other individual leagues and the WFTDA. As skaters, we control our fate: where we skate, when we skate, what we wear, and more. The days of a promoter who runs the show are over.

Many leagues have followed the Texas Rollergirls' example of a direct democracy. Every skater in the league has a vote -- on everything from financial decisions to charities we support, from where we play to when we practice. Majority rules and every voice is heard. That means that what Texas Rollergirls is now and what it becomes in the future is decided by the skaters.

We're a rough-and-tumble bunch, but we're united on a few basics:

• We want to put on the best bouts we can for our fans
• Our skaters must be safe -- or as safe as they can be hurling themselves at each othe -- at all times
• We support our community and local businesses
• We contribute time and money to local charities

Am I too small/too big to play?
There is no ideal build for a Rollergirl -- there's a place for girls of all shapes and sizes in Flat Track Derby. The numero uno requirement for success is to be as fit as possible. That means developing stamina and building muscular strength--both for skating power and to prevent injuries.

Come on, girls. You know we say it all the time: Size doesn't matter.

A small frame can be an advantage on the track -- you only need a small opening to slip through, and you're a smaller target for the blockers. Petite girls who work on their speed can excel as jammers -- and some of the hardest hits can be delivered by small blockers who develop their muscle mass.

On the other hand, bigger girls can make formidable blockers and represent both a psychological and physical obstacle for other players. It's just harder to get around a big girl!

A plus-size lady who trains for speed can also become an outstanding jammer, taking out her opponents while she scores points on them. (The Texas Rollergirls are fans of the "Big Girl Jam.")

Do I have to have sports experience or be a skating superstar to play?
Previous sports experience isn't a requirement -- and in some leagues, rookies are still learning how to roller skate. While having a sports background may make you a star faster, you don't have to be a lifelong jock to join, learn, or play Flat Track Derby.

How can I become a Rollergirl?
Most leagues advertise their recruiting parties and try-outs on their web sites. Get in touch with your local league if you're ready to release your inner Rollergirl. Be sure you've seen a Flat Track bout in person before making the commitment, and while you consider whether or not to join a league: skate, skate, skate, skate, skate.

What's a Derby Widower?
The Widowers are our dearhearts: the men and women who don't play Flat Track Derby, but support the Rollergirls who do. Husbands, boyfriends, wives, girlfriends, family, and friends who listen to us talk Derby non-stop, volunteer their time or skills to help us put on our bouts, dry our tears, carry our gear, buy us beer, take our photos, and generally make us feel like they're our #1 fans.

Where did you get that scoreboard?
Because Flat Track Derby is a new sport, a scoreboard that could accommodate our special needs--jam clock, lead jammer designation, various period lengths, number of jams--didn't exist. Dave the Body, a Texas Rollergirls Widower, designed the scoreboard in Flash and shared it with Flat Track leagues across the country. All you need to have a Flat Track Derby scoreboard is a computer, an LED projector, and a few computer/typing skills.

Instructions for the scoreboard are here, and the files are free for-the-taking here.

How many people does it take to put on a bout?
It takes about 100 people to put on a double-header bout like the Texas Rollergirls:

• 60+ skaters
• 3 to 5 refs
• 3 to 5 announcers & penalty people
• a DJ
• at least one band
• a crew of scorekeepers & statisticians
• skater-catchers
• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
• assorted volunteers: merch sales, track production, sound & light production, ticket sellers

Is a Flat Track Derby bout a sport or a show?
Flat Track Derby is first and foremost a sport. But if you're at the top of your game, why not play with style, too? Our personas and uniforms and over-the-top antics are just the whipped cream on top of a legitimate-sport sundae.

Why the sexy costumes?
We refer to ‘em as uniforms, not costumes. And isn't the answer obvious? It's fun--and it helps us get our heads into the game.

Like any other sport, donning our uniform is a sign of team unity and a constant reminder that we're ready to play. But our approach takes it one step further: we can play up the flirtatious side of our personality and be girly while we kick ass.

Plus, short skirts and push-up bras not only look H-O-T on the track, they're comfortable for skating. A short skirt doesn't restrict leg movement and push-up bras hold everything in place. Yeah, the fishnets can be a detriment (fishnet burn is the scourge of Flat Track), but they look so damn good with skates.

What is fishnet burn?
fishnet burn (fish' net bûrn) n. An abrasion, caused by the dynamic skidding of Rollergirl flesh against a rink surface, in which the affected Rollergirl suffers waffle-pattern abrasions, scabbing, and scarring. Usually occurs on buttocks and upper thigh.

Were you on that TV show "Rollergirls"?
No; that reality show featured a banked track league. The Texas Rollergirls were offered the chance to participate in the show but turned it down. We're holding out for an opportunity to put our bouts on TV.

Are you part of the Third Wave of Feminism?
In the past, feminism has mostly focused on achieving equality for women by breaking into male-dominated areas. Third-wave feminism challenges and expands common definitions of gender and sexuality.

So... Rollergirls wear sexy uniforms and revel in their femininity. But we also train like athletes and revel in our toughness. We create personas that some might see as buying into the male stereotype of a sexy woman. Then we celebrate ourselves as stars and treat our roller sisters with love and respect.

Are we third-wave feminists? Sure. Are we going to beat you over the head with it? Nope! We're too busy training and competing and living our lives as business owners, mothers, artists, dancers, administrators, writers, teachers, chefs, bartenders, waitresses, and students.

We tip our helmets to the women who came before us: the old school skaters who first showed us how it could be done, and the women of the Second Wave who fought for Title IX so that little girls everywhere grow up knowing they can run track, compete on the swim team, play a team sport, or start a roller derby revolution.

Got a burning question that's not answered here? Drop Melicious a line and ask away.