Let’s be honest, before last June, roller derby was never on my radar. I had no knowledge of the sport, the fact that there was a Stevens Point/Wausau league, or the vast, supportive, and downright badass community that formed around it. I had no idea how the game worked, that the games where actually called “bouts”,or that the star headed chick was called a jammer. I had never even roller skated before, and it had been YEARS since i’ve bladed. So why do it? BECAUSE IT WAS SO DAMN INTRIGUING.
I had befriended a new co-worker who happened to be on the team. She told me she had just skated in her very first bout the past weeked. She talked about the adrenaline rush and how insane it was to push yourself to literally your limit, and then go more. She told me about the chaos and “blur” everything turned into because of all that’s happening around you so quickly. Lastly, she told me about her teammates; how chill and inviting they where, and how they embrace introverts, which i definitely was. Then she asked me if I wanted to join. Instantly I laughed it off. I thought that sounded crazy. I didn’t know how to skate, I didn’t know the sport, and I hadn’t been on a sports team since middle school. The more I thought about it the more I opened up to the idea. It intrigued me. Roller derby seemed so unique, different, and badass. So why not? What was there to lose? The worst thing that could happen was that I would be horrible on skates and call it a wash. I had always pushed myself hard in everything I do, and I felt that if i wanted it hard enough I could do it… So i tried it.
EXPEDITION MINIMUM SKILLS
So there I was, officially fresh meat. I could stay up on skates until I tried any sort of skill. My ankles were sore as hell, and sitting in derby position was uncomfortable and weird. I remember the terror of a plow stop and how skating backwards was absurd. BUT AT LEAST I COULD STAY UP ON SKATES ( I said this to myself alot). I remember the frustration of just not getting something as I watched everyone on the team successfully using that skill. I remember a point where I thought I would never be able to complete a transition. But then it finally happened; the click. The loose wires that where my brain and body finally connected. I figured out that happy spot of skating backwards without feeling like i would fall on my ass. I realized that all i needed to do to get a successful plow stop is to get LOW and put that leg out. And finally, finally, I felt a successful transition and stored the footwork placement in my brain’s filing cabinet.
So with that being said, if i were to give any advice to skaters struggling with their minimal skills, it will come. Sometimes all it takes is a minor adjustment or a reference you make in your mind that helps you remember a certain motion. You will need to practice these things over and over and over again. Not everyday will be a good day, there were days where I left practice super bummed because I just wasn’t getting it. These were the times I would usually come back next practice and notice an improvement. Your mind and body is constantly subconsciously learning, so trust it. With all that being said, passing my minimum skills does not mean I have come even close to mastering my minimal skills. Sometimes I still fall during a transition, my left plow is weak, and plenty of times I don’t get low enough. I know it will take a long time to perfect these things and that’s okay, at least I have my confidence and understanding of them.
CONTACT BABY!
I am so happy to be able to start this season learning contact. I finally feel like I am a part of derby practice instead of a newby on the sidelines, (no offense to fresh meat training, we had our funzies) and now bouting seems so much more realistic. I still have a long way to go, but I’m feeling more and more confident with every practice. I’m feeling stronger and sturdier and can focus on what’s in front of me instead of my skates below. I can get low and seal the seam without flying forward or falling every time. The terror of trying to block that sprinting jammer headed towards me while I have no brace is slowly disappearing. Im understanding the game and the rules more and more everyday. I’m getting to know my teammates, and everyone has been so helpful, understanding, and encouraging. It’s great knowing that if i mess up or make a stupid mistake that I have nothing but support picking me up and encouraging me to do better. It is a journey. I’m still lost in a lot of ways and have so much to improve, but i am seeing/feeling the progress and that is what reassures me that one day i will have it. I’m so excited to see how far i will come this season and how much skill and confidence i will gain playing the game. I’m skating in the scrimmage coming up on April 7th and this sort of terrifies me, but i know this is what i need to learn. I’ve been told that there’s no better way to learn derby then to play derby, so let’s see how this goes!
-Natural Disaster