Hi there! Welcome to my roller derby advice page!
I see a lot of questions in the roller derby tags all the time, people who want to join, people who've just joined and even experienced skaters. Derby is a confusing sport,with a lot to learn, and a lot going on. There is no shame in asking questions about anything to do with derby!Â
I want to help answer those questions you have. I've been playing derby for 3 years, I'm one of the founders of my league and currently run my league's freshmeat program, as well as captain our travel team. I'm a gear head, and a rules obsessor, and I spend way too much time reading and watching derby. I also work for Left Turn Coaching, and have experience in general athletics (I was a semi pro soccer player before joining derby), as well as personal training and nutrition (although I am not a professional in either of those, and I will point you in the direction of better people)
I won't ever claim to know everything, or that what I'm saying is the ONLY WAY TO DO IT, but I hope to give some answers to those questions you have that you don't know where to ask!
Some examples of questions that I can answer include finding a league in your area (or starting one!), attending your first practice, questions to ask a league you might be joining, getting your first pair of skates, buying your first pads, making sure you'll have knees in 20 years, how to fit a helmet, what on earth durometer means and what that means for you, widths and size of wheels, brands, hubs, (I love wheels. I'll answer all the wheel questions), skate boots, skate packages, skate plates, how to mount skates, how to adjust your skates, how to change out your pivot cup, what a pivot cup is, the tools you'll need for your skates, minimum skills, why 27 in 5 is the only thing holding you back, how to stop, how to go faster, how to be awesome, skating backwards, skating forwards, protecting yourself from injury, coming back from injury, coming back from injuring someone else, making friends on your team, making your team friends, picking your derby name, dropping your derby name, how to glitter a helmet, how to remove glitter from yourself and your house, running a practice with 4 skaters of different levels, running a practice with skaters who are better then you, leading your team, rules in all sorts of different rulesets and picking the right one for you, finding sponsors, getting people to your games, how to market your team...
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Basically, I'll answer any question about where to start, what to use or how to do something, I can probably answer. And the good news is, that if I can't, I can put your question out there so other people can too! The derby community is very welcoming on Tumblr.Â
I know starting roller derby can be scary. It's a new sport full of skills you've never done and very confusing rules and equipment. But derby doesn't have to be confusing forever. My goal is to help point everyone in roller derby direction!
Fire away with any questions you have! And please, follow us and reblog our answers with your own opinion! Let's talk derby!