I look both ways when I cross the street

I was the lead trainer the other day with brand spankin' new skaters. I was so excited for them! It always creates such a special atmosphere to be a part of someones first experience on skates. It was week one day one for most of the group of 16, and a few repeaters. The first day always seems like a peep talk. After introductions, I usually explain that derby is not only a physical sport, but just as much a mental one. I go on and on about how they should push themselves yet respect their bodies. Not to stop during drills because if they are hurting it is a good thing and that they should be rest assured that they are not the only ones feeling this way. Their backs will hurt, their legs will hurts and their mind will be a blender with information.

Now, as all trainers know, there is only so much you can help with when working with certain individuals. It is truly up to the skater whether or not they push themselves to their limit, whether they try new things, whether they are fearless, and most importantly whether or not they listen to you! If someone is having a hard time, I work with them individually for a few brief moments and then move on trusting that they will take my advice. In the past I have not contemplated on why some skaters continue not to do as you say and thus struggle throughout the entire practice. I shrug it off and I almost feel like I, "give-up" on them. Let them learn at their own pace and if they physically cannot do it- then they can't do it. Now, however I must speak my mind about how the tables have turned...

Following my speech on derby stance I let them free for the first time.  At this specific practice I had a woman who was having a really tough time. She had never been on skates, was tall and had a bit of a bigger build. Most importantly, she was not skating at all how I just explained and demonstrated for her and the rest of the group. She was constantly hitting her ass on the track from a completely erect stance and thus slamming into the hard floor from about 3 and a half feet. It was no surprise that she needed a few minutes of recovery time after every single fall. So as I stated before, I decided to take a few moments of her time and work with her individually. I repeated my dialogue about derby stance and added some suggestions like to avoid "walking" with her skates but instead to try scissor to gain forward momentum. I then emphasized derby stance and added the fact that if in derby stance she will be lower to the ground making her falls a more uneventful and less painful event. Thinking I had convinced her to try, I move along...

As soon as I turn my back she is on her ass. Shes grows more frustrated and I decide to leave her to her vices. Practice continues and we move on to other exercises. An hour later, this woman is still on the floor, but she has progressed to crying. I usually leave this type alone to wallow in their own foreign emotions from this new physical activity, however, she has shown me dedication and I just have to talk to her. She's still on the track trying after all, even drenched in her own tears and sweat in from a huge group.

I sit with her on the side of the track and ask simply if I can do anything to help her. She proceeds to reply with a grim look on her face, "No, I just need to lose 100 lbs." Whoa! Whoa, whoa whoa! This woman just said that. This is the mental part of derby at its finest. The mental block that prevents you from learning the sport. It is a deep, dark and dismal place to be in the development stages. I know I went through it...

I am going to state what I told her here because I learned a very memorable lesson as a trainer which is, just because a skater is not listening to you, does not mean that they are physically incapable. I said it in my intro speech, "Derby is just as much a mental sport as it is a physical one." And I stand by that even still today in my derby career. 

To learn and then to play roller derby takes physical skill- everyone knows this because it's obvious to any spectator. What skaters are sometimes not aware of going into this sport is that it IS mentally exhausting as well. I know all different shapes, sizes, genders, and the like that skate and do well. This woman decided to disrespect her mind and then blame her body to completely block out the directions given to her in order to succeed. We are all mentally stressed, disrespected, misunderstood, and misguided by the outside, non-derby world. We cannot do that to ourselves, especially while we are on the track. It is not fair and we do not deserve it.