What are the rules?
Detailed rules are attached - here's a synopsis of the basics:
Basically, there are 2 teams of 5 chicks on the track during each 2-minute jam. Each team has one scoring position called a jammer, one pivot, and three blockers. The pivots and blockers form what we call a pack.

The pack starts out 20 feet ahead of the jammers and start sprinting at the first whistle blast. The jammers start sprinting a few seconds later, at the second whistle blast.

The jammers have to break through the pack and skate another lap before they start scoring points. On a jammer's second and future trips through, she gets a point for every opponent she passes. The blockers and pivots try to stop the opposing jammer from getting through, while assisting their own jammer.

What if I get hurt?
It's not if you get hurt, it's when you get hurt! Pulled muscles, sprains, dislocations, and broken bones can and will happen in TRD. This is why protective gear and insurance are required. We also train, stretch and practice falling to help reduce injuries and their severity.

To reduce skaters' out of pocket costs, all skaters are required to maintain health insurance. This may sound expensive if you don't have insurance through your employer, but we've found some affordable individual plans through reputable insurance companies or colleges. The League also provides secondary insurance to skaters for games.

Links to research individual health insurance coverage costs:

How much time will it take?
Practice, scrimmages and bouts take a considerable time commitment. Practices are held several times a week for 2 hours each. Consider 2 of the practices mandatory while training (veteran skaters too!) and we recommend spending much more time on your skates than that.

It may sound intimidating at first but you've got 40 girlfriends making the commitment with you :) You'll quickly realize how much fun skating is and want to do even more!

Once in the league and on a team a minimum attendance expectation is still required to skate in bouts or take full advantage of the benefits offered to skaters by the league.

How much does it cost?
The biggest expense will be for your equipment (skates and protective gear) and health insurance if you don't already have it. The league charges monthly dues to help pay for league expenses like rink rental and advertising. Those dues only kick in after you've been part of the league long enough to determine you're really committed.

What equipment do I need?
The first thing you'll need is the required protective gear; a helmet, wrist, elbow, and knee pads and mouthguards are required for practice and bout skating. You can find full sets of starter pads (wrist, elbow & knee) for $20 at most big stores (ie: Target). We do recommend investing in good knee pads as soon as possible which usually run around $40. You can get starter skates from thrift stores for $5 or beginner practice skates at discount department stores before investing in speed skates.

Once you're ready to commit you'll want to invest in a good pair of speed skates, which will run $80 - $150 (try the used sporting goods stores too). Once you're hooked you'll find the cheaper skates will slow you down and make skating harder. The league does have some spare gear but it's available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is roller derby fake?
Nope! The flat-track roller derby we play is a real sport with no choreographing - except from the half-time entertainment. (Don't believe us? Check out the bout clips and Injuries page!)

Roller derby is an aggressive full-contact sport and our skaters consider themselves athletes. We train accordingly, practicing several times a week, to keep our skills up to speed and our bodies trained for the grueling workout. We also like to keep a sense of humor, with our snazzy uniforms and saucy names. After all, the real reason we play the game is because it's so much FUN!

What if I'm really little? Don't you have to be big and burly to play roller derby?
Nope. Our skaters have ranged from 4'10" - 6'3" and come in all sizes. The smaller girls often end up playing as point-scoring jammers. They are often quick on their feet, wily,easy to whip around the rink, and don't have as far to fall.

What if I'm really big? Don't you have to be athletic and in shape to play roller derby?
Nope. Our skaters have ranged from 4'10" - 6'3" and come in all sizes. Bigger girls often end up playing as blockers. Amazons tend to be hard to push around, give strong assists, hit hard and can cover a lot of ground in a single stride. Not to mention that training for and playing roller derby will probably get you in the best shape of your life!

What if I haven't been on skates since Junior High? Don't I have to be a great skater to even attempt roller derby?
You'd be surprised how many of us hadn't skated for years before joining and how quickly it comes back when you work hard. We do expect a basic skill level at try outs - crossovers, stopping, decent endurance, along with a willingness to work and push yourself.

If you're thinking of trying out, strap on your skates as soon as possible and wear 'em as often as possible. Hit the roller rink (we're there on Thursdays to meet y'all), skate around the park or your driveway (while wearing your pads!). Just get comfortable on your wheels and start building up your muscles and endurance.

Where can I find out more about roller derby?
Cruise through the plethora of information offered on our site, check out the other derby sites in our links section, sign up for one of the Yahoo groups, or visit the WFTDA page

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Just what is Tucson Roller Derby?
Tucson Roller Derby is a skater-run non-profit organization formed in late 2003. Now in our fifth season we hold monthly all-girl flat-track roller derby bouts which also include live music, a featured charity, raffles and contests.

Our league teams are: The Furious Truckstop Waitresses (FTW), the Iron Curtain, the VICE Squad, the Copper Queens and the TRD Saddletramps, an ensemble team formed for inter-league challenges. The Saddletramps placed second in the first national flat-track tournament, the Dust Devil, which we also hosted! We placed second in the 2007 WFTDA Western Regional Dust Devil Tournament (which we hosted once again!)

We're also proud members of the Womens Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

By the skaters. For the skaters. Always.