Roller Derby | What Is a Bout and How Is it Officiated?

By Amy L. Wong

To understand Roller Derby, here are some of the basics for a co-ed (men and women) bout and the officiating that is involved in a bout.

A bout is the term used to define a game or a match. Each “bout” will focus on speed, strategy and most definitely, body contact. There are two teams in each bout. The teams skate counter clockwise on the track and compete either on a Banked track or a flat surface.
There are five players on the track per team. However, this can change if the managers mutually agree to the change. A team can have as many as 14 to 18 players ready for a bout and players must be at least 16 years of age. Teams can use substitutes, rookies, seasoned vet and captain skaters.

Each coed bout is played out in 10 minutes periods and there are 8 periods. During co-ed bouts, women skate periods 1, 3, 5 and 7 and men will skate periods 2, 4, 6, and 8. Half time breaks after the fourth period. Each team is allowed a one minute time out per half for a timeout.

A player may stop at the top of the rail after a Jam for a very brief break. Jammers will rest in the infield after a Jam, and will be replaced by a fresh skater. If a player is injured (or exhausted), they can rest and be replaced by infield team member. A skater must wear a helmet especially since Jammer can only score if they wear a helmet. On the subject of helmets, if a player heaves a helmet at another player is considered an infraction, ungentlemanly conduct.

There are three officials for per match or bout. One referee counts the points for team A and the second official will watch the points for the other team. In case of a dispute, it will be decided by consensus of all three. For a bout on a banked track, officials do not wear skates. Officials will referee the bout from the in field walking in a clockwise direction in order to catch all the action. The head referee has the authority to stop the action at any time for roughness, fights and injuries. Any referee can call a penalty or give a warning to any skater. They also make sure that the skaters are information for the next play. Officials have signals as in all sports to advise the fans of the instances of penalties and scoring for the game.

Typical infractions are:

• Illegal block
• Holding
• Insubordination
• Pushing
• Tripping
• Slugging
• Kicking
• Unnecessary roughness

Game related calls:

• No score
• Jam called off
• Delay of game
• Points scored

This is very basic start to the understanding of the game. In addition to this information, we also need to understand how to play, how to score points and also understand the specific movement on the track as well.

Amy is a Newbie fan of Roller Derby and seeks to share the information as she discovers the game!
The World of Roller Derby

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