Coaches Corner

For about a year I’ve been trying out a technique for coaching that, on the surface, seems counter-intuitive and not like coaching at all.

It involves not saying anything.

Not being so fast to give verbal feedback if skaters don’t instantly do something ‘right’ (or how I imagine it should be done when we start the drill).

By Andy Frye

At the end of June, the first-ever Men’s Team USA roller derby tryouts were held. The initiative spearheaded by Mo “Quadzilla” Sanders, Jonathan R. of the New York Shock Exchange and others comes ahead of the 2014 Men’s Roller Derby World Cup, which is now scheduled for March 2014 in Birmingham, England.

The weekend of June 22 and 23, approximately 70 skaters from all over the country flew to Chicago to venture out to the countryside, suiting up at the Aurora Skate Center, on the outskirts of Aurora, IL, for two days of rigorous tests.

By Coach Panda

So you have decided to step down as a coach for your league? Great! This means that you will finally have more time for your family, non-derby friends (if you still have them), and much neglected hobbies! However, before leaving your coaching role, consider setting up a plan for succession.

The site of the 2014 Roller Derby World Cup has been named: Dallas, Texas, USA. It is over the next few weeks and months that skaters, coaches, and referees will begin thinking (and trying out) to be a part of this incredible tournament.

To help give everyone a better idea of what this international event is like, we asked World Cup 2011 coaches and skaters to recount their experiences of the inaugural World Cup and extend some advice to those thinking about participating in next year's effort.

I filmed this workout the day after I did a variation of it to test it out for you guys, and by the time I was filming, my legs were already burning from the day before!

Here’s the scoop on the Booster Juice workout:

Do you want to feel sexy? Try the 3S workout.

Step 1) be Smart. Work out doing moves that are targeted for your goals. You’re a roller derby skater (or official!), so you want strong legs, a strong core, and great cardio.

WFTDA just released new minimum skills requirements this season, which have some skaters up in arms. We asked Booty Quake what she thinks of them.

Ask yourself these two very important questions: 1: When is the last time you performed a baseball slide in game play? And, 2: How many times per bout do you turn around 180 degrees and quickly skate in the opposite direction?

Did you say “uh, never ever ever?” and “I don’t have that many fingers and toes to count on” ?

You look up, past the opposing blockers’ helmets and see your teammates imploring you to join them. Pushing and wiggling as much as you can, you desperately try to free yourself from the opposing blockers. You are trapped. You are the goat.

2013 brings many changes to roller derby, not the least of which is a sparkly new WFTDA Ruleset! Even if you were an ace with the old rules, major changes such as the removal of minor penalties means that you'll need to learn a whole new set.

Fortunately for you, there's help, in the form of the Roller Derby Test O'Matic. The questions and multiple-choice answer format might bring back SAT nightmares, but it'll definitely help you fine-tune your understanding of the new rules.