ROLLER DERBY THEORY PART ONE

Ok, so here's a little summary of everything we went though in our first theory session as Croydon Roller Girls Fresh Meat! 

We were all pretty nervous and excited, eager to get learning, and trying to remember each others names from tryouts, so I think we all appreciated getting the chance to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves and get to know the lovely lads and ladies in charge of our training! 

By now we should all know Rolling Thunder, our charming head of training. He'll be with us for most of our Sunday theory sessions, and will also be taking charge of the Fast-track groups practical on-skates training with the help of Skatja Boloksov. Taking today's off-skates theory session for the beginners group is Paris Hit-em-all. We also met Head Coach Herbie-Licious and CRD skater Apocalex, and we'll be meeting many more people over the coming weeks and months who'll be stepping in to help with our training. We also went over the timetable and how the sessions will run. 

All Fresh Meat girls should be attending the Sunday theory session from 12.30, after which we split into our two groups. The fast-track group go downstairs for on-skates training and the beginners group stay upstairs for off-skates training, where they'll be learning how to NSO (Non Skating Official). Fast-track skaters should also attend a second session every tuesday evening. To keep up with the training and each other, keep checking this blog, the Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/groups/180564748684552/ and we'll also be given access to the CRD forum soon! 

 

In today's theory session we went over some of the basic, most important things to know when starting out our Roller Derby careers. 

The first topic was the difference between a skater and a Derby player, and why being a good skater does not necessarily make you a better derby player. Aside from getting low, we have to remember that Roller Derby is a team sport, and that it takes commitment, teamwork, tactics, knowing the rules and knowing the opponent to win a game. 

Skater and team etiquette is also an important subject. We are encouraged to leave our personal lives, problems, and any drama at the door of the sports hall. There is no place for bitching or beef on this team. We need to respect each other, and especially the more experienced people training us. If you have an issue or criticism with the way someone is doing something, please speak to them about it rather than complaining to others. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Bitching is not. 

We also had a chance to learn a little bit about equipment today. Skatja advised us to invest as much as we can in our kneepads, they are the most important piece of kit we will buy, more important even than skates it seems. Her advice was not to go for anything less than the £25 Pro-Tec pads, and to invest in a more expensive pair of 187s or Smiths if we can afford it, especially if you are prone to knee injuries, although they are expensive at around £70. As for other kit, helmet fit is more important than cost, it is better to go for a lower-cost helmet as it should be replaced after every hard hit. Basic gumshields can be bought from sports shops for as little as £1 but a £15 pro-dent gumshield will let you talk, and smile without looking too ridiculous. Skate-wise, the Riedell R3 is a good affordable basic option at just over £100, and as a beginner you won't need a higher end skate, although you may need to change the wheels fairly soon. But that's a whole other subject! 

The best advice was to visit a skate shop such as Skate Attack in Southgate to try everything on for ourselves to see what feels right. 

Next week we'll be learning about what a Roller Derby league is and how it is structured, basic rules of the game, the structure of a bout and where we should be looking for research and news on our favorite sport!

By Jade Stokley