F.A.Q

Who are the Mississippi Rollergirls?
The Mississippi Rollergirls, LLC, is Mississippi's first and the Gulf Coast's only flat track derby league. The league was formed in April 2006, comprised of tough, strong-minded, powerful women. The league is skater owned and operated which means all decisions are made by committees for our skaters, by our skaters. The league currently consists of 25 players, a 4 girl management team, sponsors, and volunteers. We hope to provide a safe, family-friendly environment and foster team support to all of our 100+ sister leagues all over the the US, Canada, and most recently Europe. We promote female empowerment and diversity though our league. We adhere to a strict code of conduct and standards that are in place to uplift us as an organization, show good sportsmanship, allowing us to be the best we can be and skate even harder. We also support our community through outreach programs that build character and integrity in all of our players.

Is Roller Derby real??
Very much so! Roller derby is a genuine athletic competition that requires skill, athletics, strategy, agility, speed, and strength. And as if that wasn't enough, the sport requires that you be good at taking a hard hit here and there.

How do I Join?
We just have a few requirements:

You must be female.
You must be at least 21.
You must have current health insurance.
You must be able to skate 3 times a week (practice and otherwise).
You must supply your own gear (quads, helmet, pads, mouth guard).
You must be able to pay dues each month.
You must be a team player.
and best of all...
You must be tough as nails.

We are currently having open enrollment to recruit enough ladies to get our league started. Tryouts will be held every 3 months after the initial skaters have been recruited and grandfathered in. If you would like to join please contact us at recruits@mississippirollergirls.com.

How do I play?
This is the short of it. For a more detailed account of the game please go to www.wftda.com.

There are 2 teams on the track at once.
Each team has no more than 5 skaters on the track.
The teams are made up of one pivot, three blockers, and one jammer.
Pivots wear a stripe on her helmet.
Jammers wear a star on each side of her helmet.

Glossary:

Pivot: Skates at the front of the pack and determines that pace at which the pack skates. She is the last in the line of defense for her team. She can become jammer if the star helmet cover is passed to her.

Blocker: Works with other 2 other blockers on her team and their pivot to move their jammer through the pack. Also while preventing the opposing team's jammer from passing.

Jammer: Scores the points for her team. Starts bout 20 feet behind the packs. Must skate through entire pack once before she can start racking points. For each skater of the opposing team she passes, she gains a point for her team. She must pass them leagally, though or the points don't count.

Bout: The game. Consists of two teams of 5 players each. 3 periods per bout that each last 20 minutes. An unlimited number of jams can happen in any period. Each jam can last up to 2 minutes. After each jam is over, the teams have 20 seconds to get in formation for the next jam. If a skater is missing when the 20 seconds are up, her team just skates with one less player.

Each jam begins with one whistle to start the pack and a second double whistle to start the jammers.
Four whistles means the jam has ended.
A jam can end because a) time ran out or b) the lead jammer called off the jam.
The lead jammer is the first jammer that can make it through the pack inbounds and without any penalties.
Then, without incident, the lead jammer can call of a jam at any time usually to prevent the opposing team's jammer from scoring further points.
This is signaled by placing her hands on her hips.

Illegal moves:

Grabbing or the use of hands.
Blocking with forearms.
Tripping, kicking, or blocking with feet or legs.
Hitting from behind.
Pushing, shoving, punching or holding.
Swinging elbows.
Blocking with the head.
Blocking a jammer while twenty feet ahead or behind the pack.

Can I volunteer or sponsor?
We are looking for all types of volunteers. We are in need of coaches, referees, set up crews for bouts, cheerleaders, announcers, penalty wenches, entertainment, graphic designers, artists, mascots, photographers, volunteers to work bouts, medical professionals, score keepers, etc.

If you want to help out and think you have something to offer please shoot us a line at volunteer@mississippirollergirls.com.

We are in need of sponsors to help our league get up on their skates. Start up costs for a rookie league can reach epic proportions. If you are a business or individual that would like to sponsor our fine ladies, please contact us at sponsor@mississippirollergirls.com.

Do you get hurt?
Yes, this is a full contact sport. Injuries do happen but we try to make it as safe as possible for our skaters, staff, and fans alike.