Blood Sport

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Off-Season Tryouts July 17, 2010

It’s time. The Rat City Rollergirls (RCRG) — Seattle’s premiere women’s flat track roller derby league — want to know if you’ve got what it takes to be one of us! The 2011 season is fast approaching, and the off-season is the perfect time to join and get up to speed. Roller derby is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, endurance-based sport that takes lots of time, dedication, and sheer mental ability. If you think you can hack it, come to tryouts and show us what you’ve got.

Tryout Details:

• Date: July 17, 2010
• Time: 1:00– 4:00 p.m. Doors and registration open at 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Rat City training facility – Rat’s Nest 5305 Shilshole Ave NW
• Who: Women 21+, must be able to skate and stop safely
• Cost: $10 (cash only)

What happens at tryouts? Each tryout session is individually tailored to the league’s needs at the time, but as a general rule tryouts will include the following:

Open skate warm-up: This is to warm you up, but also to make sure everyone is clear on the request for “practiced skaters only.” If you’re running into walls, we’ll kindly ask you to brush up your skills and come back next time.

Drills: Our coaches and/or captains will conduct a series of skating drills. Captains and members of RCRG teams will be observing and making notes about which skaters they think would be an asset to their team.

Interviews: The handful of remaining skaters will be asked to participate in short interviews with the teams looking to pick up skaters. The team representatives will be looking to gauge your schedule, your goals, whether you’d fit on the team, whether you can make the time commitment to playing for RCRG, etc.

For derby-specific instruction, check out PFM Practice Squad, an “independent, volunteer-run quad skating club dedicated to athleticism and roller derby education.” PFM is open to skaters of all skill levels, from beginning skater to seasoned derby pro and is coached by members/coaches of local derby leagues.

Other activities to consider Woman cannot live on skates alone, cross training is very important. While pretty much any activity that gets you up and movin’ will be beneficial, here are a few that are particularly complimentary to the sport of derby:

• Belly dance: Yup, that’s right, belly dance! Aside from being a great workout for your core muscles, belly dance teaches you how to isolate and extend your hips and shoulders — all the better to block that jammer! There are classes offered every day of the week, check your local Internet for listings.
• Bicycling: Strong legs, strong back, and a familiarity with the outdoor trails that you’ll be skating later.
• Rowing: Great workout for upper and lower body, plus all the benefits of teamwork!
• Martial Arts: Not just for fightin’ anymore. Whether Krav Maga, fencing, savate, aikido, or judo, the martial arts teach balance, endurance, and focus. Depending on the style, they may also help get you used to the full-contact aspect of derby.

Learn the Rules Rat City Rollergirls play by the rules set forth by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. The rules can be downloaded here. However, the rules are complex and simply reading the rules might not be enough – you’ll have to watch derby, live and on YouTube, and spot all the rules in play. If you have questions, ask a rollergirl!

To see video of brutal professional derby action on You Tube, click below:

This is not how the nice girls of Seattle play.