What is Roller Derby?

Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating counter-clockwise around a track. The objective of the game is to score points by having a designated scoring player, called the "jammer," lap members of the opposing team.
Here’s a breakdown of how roller derby works:
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Teams and Players: Each team has five players on the track at a time. These players include one jammer, three blockers, and one pivot (a blocker with special responsibilities).
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The Jammer: The jammer is the only player who can score points. They wear a star on their helmet for identification. The jammer scores points by passing members of the opposing team.
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Blockers and Pivot: The blockers form a "pack" and play both offense and defense. The pivot, identified by a stripe on their helmet, acts as the lead blocker and can also become the jammer under certain conditions.

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The Track: Roller derby is played on a flat or banked oval track.
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Game Structure: The game consists of a series of short matchups called "jams," which last up to two minutes. In each jam, both teams have a jammer trying to score points and blockers trying to stop the opposing jammer while helping their own.
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Scoring: After a jammer makes their initial pass through the pack, they score one point for each opposing player they lap on subsequent passes.
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Penalties: Players can receive penalties for illegal actions, like blocking with elbows or tripping. Penalties can result in time in the penalty box, leaving the team temporarily short-handed.
Roller derby is known for its fast pace, physicality, and strategic gameplay, as well as for the strong sense of community and empowerment it fosters among participants.