Loretta " Little Iodine" Behrens - Derby Memoirs

 

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Roller Derby History - The Rules

International Roller Speedway Rules

The International Roller Speedway championship is raced for an eleven day period between two teams, America (Blue) and Europe (Red), and is decided on a point basis.

Points are scored as follows:

A Sprint

  • Competitor laps one member of opposing team, 1 point
  • Competitor laps three members of opposing team, 3 points
  • Competitor lapping entire opposing team 5 points
  • Pursuit Race 3 points

Teams

Each team is composed of six couples, men and women, skating one period of 15 minutes alternately.

Scoring a Sprint

A team may score when one or more skaters leaves the pack to start a sprint which is limited to two minutes.  When the sprinting skater overlaps an opponent, one point is gained.  If he or she passes three opponents, three points are gained, and if the entire opposing team is lapped the maximum 5 points are awarded.

The skater who gains points indicates that he has won by raising his arms over his head after passing one or three or the whole team.  As soon as he raises his arms, the points are awarded according to how far he has progressed in passing his opponents.  Naturally if a skater, after passing an opponent, does not raise his arms immediately, he risks losing the point if the opponent already passed should overtake him again.  As soon as the sprint is over the skaters slow down for a brief "breather" reforming into a pack ready for the green light to indicate that anyone of them may start another sprint.

Pursuit Race

A pursuit is between the American and European teams, boys only.  One skater of each team starts on opposite sides of the track and relays may be made as the skaters wish.  The object of the race is to overhaul and touch an opposing skater thus scoring three points for the team.

Penalties

According to the referees discretion penalized skaters may be banished from the track for periods of time or be subject to cash fines.
Penalties are given by referees for any infractions of the rules and his decisions are final.
Penalties are levied for:

  • Illegal blocking
  • Unnecessary roughness
  • Illegal use of hands
  • For any disobedience of the referees orders

Signals

A green light is used during the racing to indicate to the skaters that a sprint may be started.

A red light will be used to indicate that a sprint is over or that the two minute time limit has been exceeded.

In the case of a bad accident or serious fall, a siren will be sounded and the race becomes void.  No points can be scored during the time required to remove the injured skater from the track.

 

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