Hell On Wheels: Women's Roller Derby
When not on the flat track, they are professionals or stay at home moms, students, clerks but on the track they are bitches on wheels trying to win in roller derby.
Roller derby was popular in the 50's and 60's, where some of their more violent games were on TV and known for slamming, knock-outs, punches and foul mouths. Then, for some odd reason, the sport died out, almost extinct, until its revival in 2003, in Texas. Today, there are more than 1000 leagues all governed by the WFTDA, Women's Flat Track Derby Association. Back in the day, the women wore little protection, today, all wear helmets, wrist guards, knee pads and mouth guards. Most tracks are flat and no longer wood planks. The sport also allows women to vent anger, stress and frustration from. A sweet, docile, quiet personality will turn into a real biker foul mouthed and bruising monster on the track.
Most games consist of two half hour sessions with a half hour halftime. Each team has 10 skaters, of which, five from each will take to the track. The person with a star on the helmet is the Jammer. They stay in back of the pack and they are the ones who score points by passing the pack through gaps. Team players will take turns being the Jammer, alternating every two minutes. The other four players are Blockers. Teams play offensive and defense simultaneously, trying get your Jammer through while defending against opponents. Players that suffer a penalty sit in the penalty box, like in soccer.
The members are all volunteer, none are paid.