Roller derby is a fast-paced, exciting contact sport played on quad skates. It involves two teams of five members skating counter-clockwise around an oval track. The jammers score points by lapping members of the opposing team. The blockers try to stop the opposing team’s jammer while helping their own team’s jammer advance and score. Here are 55 riddles about the players, gameplay, equipment, and culture of roller derby to test your knowledge.
Roller Derby Players
Q: What do you call a roller derby player who is assigned to score points for her team?
A: The jammer
Q: I’m the player who tries to block the opposing team’s jammer while helping my own jammer score. Who am I?
A: The blocker
Q: We make split second decisions about strategy and gameplay. We tell the blockers where to go. Who are we?
A: The pivots
Q: I’m in charge of making sure the other players follow the rules and stay safe. I blow the whistle to start and stop jams. Who am I?
A: The referee
Q: You’ll find me trackside taking stats, tracking points, managing the scoreboard and keeping time. I’m the ________.
A: The scorekeeper/NSO (Non-Skating Official)
Q: I skate fast and score points by legally passing members of the other team. Our name starts with “J”.
A: Jammers
Roller Derby Gameplay
Q: What is a roller derby event called where two teams compete against each other?
A: A bout
Q: During a jam I try to get through the pack quickly and score as many points as I can before the jam ends. What maneuver am I attempting?
A: A breakout
Q: My teammate plows through the pack quickly creating a narrow gap for me to skate through with speed. What type of helpful blocking is this called?
A: Bridging
Q: To score points, what must the jammer do as they lap the opposing team’s blockers?
A: Pass them legally with their hips
Q: Oh no! The other team’s jammer is right on my tail. My teammate pushes me forward to help me get away. What is this strategic move called?
A: A whip
Q: The jammer must pass through this group of blockers immediately after the whistle blows to start a jam. What is it called?
A: The pack
Q: My blocker teammate and I sandwich an opposing jammer between us to try to slow them down. What is this move called?
A: A sandwich
Q: To keep the jam going, the lead jammer must do this strategic move before crossing the pivot line. What is it?
A: Call off the jam
Roller Derby Positions and Roles
Q: Some of us are jammers, and some are blockers. Collectively on the track, what are we called?
A: The skaters
Q: I make quick strategy calls for my blockers and communicate with my pivot. Who am I?
A: The captain
Q: Jammers score the points, but we stop the other team’s jammer while helping our own. Who are we?
A: The blockers
Q: My role involves managing lineups, developing strategy, and calling the shots from the sidelines. Who am I?
A: The coach
Q: I skate fast and push through the pack, scoring points for my team. Who am I?
A: The jammer
Q: I help coordinate my blockers’ gameplay and am ready to take over jammer duties if needed. Who am I?
A: The pivot
Roller Derby Track Layout
Q: The skaters skate counterclockwise around this oval circuit to play the game. What is it called?
A: The track
Q: Blockers try to stop opposing jammers while helping their teammates pass this rectangular zone. What is it named?
A: The pack
Q: This inner area allows jammers room to gather speed at the start of a jam. What is the name of this zone?
A: The infield
Q: Jammers score points when they legally pass members of the opposing team here, between the hips and shoulders. What is this called?
A: The engagement zone
Q: After initially passing through the pack, jammers loop back around to pass through here again. What is this important boundary line named?
A: The pivot line
Q: Don’t cut the track! Jammers must stay in bounds between what – the inside line and the outside line?
A: The rails/track boundaries
Roller Derby Equipment
Q: These four-wheeled boots allow skaters to zoom around the track. What are they?
A: Roller skates/quad skates
Q: This tough plastic covering protects our knees as we skate and fall. What is it?
A: Knee pads
Q: Wrist guards, helmet, elbow pads and this piece of padded armor are crucial for safety in roller derby. What is it called?
A: Mouth guard
Q: These devices attach to our skates allowing us to stop quickly. What are they called?
A: Toe stops
Q: Roller derby skaters wear this padded helmet to protect our heads. What is the name of this vital piece of safety gear?
A: A derby helmet
Q: These hardy devices strapped on over my knee pads take a beating so my knees don’t have to. What are they?
A: Knee gaskets
Roller Derby Penalties and Rules
Q: Oh no! I used my hands and arms too aggressively. What penalty did I likely commit?
A: A forearm penalty
Q: I accidentally cut into the infield instead of staying in bounds. What common rule did I break?
A: Cutting the track
Q: I passed my teammate to get ahead. What basic roller derby blocking guideline did I forget?
A: Don’t pass your own teammates
Q: A skater makes illegal contact to the back of their opponent. What type of penalty is this?
A: Back blocking
Q: I accidentally bumped into an opponent without giving them room to stop or avoid me. What minor infraction occurred?
A: Failure to give right of way
Q: To score points legally this must pass the hips of the other skater. What body part is this?
A: The skater’s hips
Roller Derby Training and Skills
Q: In this skating stance my knees and ankles can bend freely allowing me to take hard hits. What is it called?
A: Derby stance
Q: At roller derby bootcamp we repeatedly drill these specialized skating skills that are key for gameplay. What are they collectively known as at practice?
A: Skills
Q: To improve my endurance in the sport, my coaches make me do special timed tests of this cardio activity. What is it?
A: Skating laps
Q: As a blocker, executing skillful hits legally is all about mastering this offensive skating technique. What is the term for it?
A: Hitting
Q: This challenging skating skill involves staying on one skate gliding outside edge while lifting the other foot up. What’s it called?
A: One-foot glides
Q: As a jammer navigating through the pack, being able to do this on skates allows me to quickly change direction. What critical ability is this?
A: Agility
Roller Derby Culture and Community
Q: Our team has bonded closely through this activity of choosing our badass skate names. What is this naming tradition called?
A: Derby names
Q: Roller derby teams are super supportive of each other and our motto reflects this. What is it?
A: Lead with your heart
Q: Many skaters sport tattoos representing their ferocious team names like the Hellcats or Slaughterhouse Sirens. What is this type of tattooing called?
A: Derby ink
Q: Derby can take a toll on our bodies so my league makes sure to emphasize this holistic recovery activity at practices. What is it?
A: Yoga
Q: My teammate has this image on her helmet to celebrate 5 years of roller derby action. What is it called?
A: Derby anniversary patch
Q: Something may be minor to an outsider but have this deeper meaning to those within the derby community. What is that called?
A: Derby logic
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles about the world of roller derby? With so much specialized terminology, positions, gear, rules and culture unique to the sport, roller derby has a language all its own full of fun quirks to discover. Whether you are a casual fan or hardcore derby enthusiast, hopefully learning the answers to these 55 riddles gave you some new insights into the fabulous phenomenon that is roller derby! Do you have a clever roller derby riddle of your own? Share it and help educate others about this amazing athletic activity and all that goes on trackside. With strategy, endurance, athletic prowess and a whole lot of heart, roller derby has earned its place as one of the coolest sports around.
