Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 50 FULL-CONTACT SPORT; SAFETY EMPHASIZED While it has downgraded the exaggerated and cartoonish elements that for so long had invitingly been associated with it—the elbowing, punching, neck-grabbing, and pile-driving tomfoolery—roller derby is indeed a full-contact sport. But skaters cannot use their heads, elbows, forearms, hands, knees, lower legs, or feet to make contact to their challengers. Skaters cannot make contact to opponents' heads, backs, knees, lower legs, or feet. Play that is deemed illegal by officials results in a skater being assessed a penalty, served in the penalty box for thirty seconds of jam time. "It is full contact, but you can't actually hit someone in the middle of the back or the neck or the head," says Clark. "You can't hit with or use a forearm or a fist, or hit someone below the knees—all things that have been designed to prevent unsafe hits or falls." "I grew up watching roller derby on Saturday morning TV, when it was something like a WWE event," says Jannette McDonald of Hellgate Roller Derby and Copper City Queens, aka Nettie. "Back then it looked dangerous and some of it was staged. But that's not the case with modern roller derby. Derby teams today practice and train like all other athletes." While it varies from team to team, generally a new recruit must complete a six to eight week skating program before even being considered eligible to proceed in any contact drills. Team camps are set up in a manner ensuring safety checks, and recruits are tested on every single one of their required skills. In the midst of this, if one doesn't pass every part of the test, one will not be cleared to play in contests. Once permitted to play with a team on a competitive level, all skat- ers must meet similar safety standards and certifications regarding their equipment. From helmets and wrist guards to elbow pads and knee pads to guarantees that their skates are in acceptable repair, all players abide by WFTDA rules coding a number of gear guidelines mandated to prevent injury. NICKNAMES WELCOMED; ALL BODY TYPES PREFERRED In the roller derby world, all body types are preferred. While small- er, quicker, supple girls are inclined to the jammer position, electri- fying the crowd and lighting up the board as the team's scorers, in reality, a jammer is only as effective as the pack that widens her path. "One of my favorite things about roller derby is that you really see a mix of all different body types," says Swanson-MacLeay. "There are girls who might not look traditionally athletic, but who are really good on their skates, and who could use their size to move other skaters around." "Regardless of who you are, or what it is that you look like, you have a place on the derby team," says McDonald. "All body types are seen CRAIG SPANNRING

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