Eager to try something new, Abu Dhabi Week strapped on a pair of skates and joined a local roller derby to find out more about the unsung sport
Aggressive women with stern looks on their faces elbowing opponents in the ribs. This is how roller derby is often viewed but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Admittedly, the sport takes a certain degree of determination and women worried about breaking a nail should consider taking up a different sport. But, there’s a lot more to roller derby than meets the eye.
What is roller derby?
Roller derby is a contact sport consisting of two teams of five players. In a bout, all players skate simultaneously counter clockwise around the circuit. One player from each team is chosen as the ‘jammer’ and must try and lap members of the opposing team. The catch? The jammers have to make their way past the swarm of skaters made up of ‘blockers’ who use a number of tactics to play both offence and defence. Jammers who get past opposing team members gain points for their team.
While the basic rules are straight forward, winning a derby takes a lot more skill than just hitting other skaters. A variety of tactics including ‘the whip’, ‘walling up’ and ‘goating’ are all used to block opposing jammers while letting your own jammer through a pack.
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) rulebook, which most leagues follow, states no contact can be made with hands, elbows, head or feet and hitting above the shoulders, below mid-thigh or from behind are all prohibited. Despite these restrictions, skaters are required to wear elbow and knee pads, wrist and mouth guards and a helmet.
Abu Dhabi Roller Derby
When we signed up for a practice session with Abu Dhabi Roller Derby we were slightly apprehensive – predominantly because we couldn’t remember the last time we strapped on a pair of skates. Rocking up to Zayed Sports City, we met with the rest of the skaters, the organiser and referee Chris Hopchin and even a few newbies. Padding ourselves out with elbow, knee and wrist guards and strapping on a helmet, we found a bit of comfort knowing a fall wouldn’t be too brutal.
Seeing that the majority of skaters were beginners, Hopchin patiently conducted an ‘easy’ session going through the basics of skating. After a warm-up we moved on to drills, taking up the derby stance, learning the three ways to stop, how to fall – perhaps the first thing we should have learned – and how to cross over your feet around corners.
After echoes of “Bend your knees!” ringing in our ears, we heeded Hopchin’s advice and started to feel more comfortable on our skates, eventually giving crossovers a try.
By the end of the session we realised we’d done quite a workout and took a sigh of relief as we slipped on some flip-flops. The sense of accomplishment we felt (we didn’t fall over once!) and the encouraging words from fellow skaters made us eager to return and improve.
Abu Dhabi Roller Derby conducts weekly practice sessions and occasional boot camps to help participants improve their skills before taking part in a derby. Once you feel ready to join the team, a skills test will determine if you are ready to take and give a bump.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight while having fun or just want to meet new people while trying something different, roller derby is worth a try.
Signing up
While Abu Dhabi Roller Derby takes their skating seriously, they are also more than happy to welcome skaters of all levels. Skaters can initially practise on inline skates but should move on to quad (four-wheel) skates to continue. Helmets and protective padding are mandatory and you won’t need to pass any skill requirements before signing up. Free practice sessions are held weekly at Zayed Sports City and du Forum.
Although the derby is for women, men are welcome to sign up as a referee and participate in the practice sessions. To find out more about Abu Dhabi Roller Derby,
visit their Facebook page.
Rachael Peacock
