Hard Knox in Knoxville Tennessee

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The Derby Starts

Roller Derby is alive and well all over the place. From London England to Youngstown Ohio to Bakersfield Ca. women of all shapes and sizes, ages and colors, get together to slam into each other and  the cement floors all while whirling around a flat floor on roller skates.

 

The skaters wearing a helmet cover with a star on it are the jammers. After making it through the pack of blockers once, the jammer begins scoring points for each opposing blocker she passes legally and in bounds. She can also score points on opponents who are in the penalty box and can get a fifth point if she laps the opposing jammer. Blockers are trying to stop the opposing team’s jammer while helping their own jammer get through. The Jammers are usually the fastest and most colorful of the skater 'characters'.

Goblynn Celebrates a big score.

Governed by the Womens Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) there are 117 'Leagues' and 57 Apprentice Leagues. Click HERE to find your local League. We had the pleasure of attending a match featuring the Knoxville Tennessee Hard Knox. I have got to say it was one of the most entertaining evenings I have spent at a sporting event at any time! The skaters are ordinary women doing extraordinary things just for the hell of it....a reason to compete with all of the accompanying fun and companionship of any team sport with the rewards of softball leagues. No giant paydays here just fun and it shows. If you can't go to one of these matches and have a good time I gotta assume you pull the wings off flies or dissect baby cats for fun. 

 The players all have nicknames and adopt personas around their names. I think the fans should do the same....especially if you sit 'suicide'. Suicide is sitting on the floor at the edge of the track ready to dodge a flying skater who could end up in your lap at anytime. One of my favorites was "Fluffy":

Find your local team and go out for an evening of fun cheering your favorite skater on. After the match they'll even sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Goblynn is absolutely stricken by a fans charm.

Goblynn explains strategy to Pete.