The rest of our teammates had just arrived, and we had fifteen minutes until our introduction(s) and question session was to start. We found our destination and parked. Upon arrival, we realized that it was going to be much colder than anticipated inside, especially since we were going to be sitting on concrete flooring in an unheated building. As soon as I saw a coffee pot with warm dark deliciousness, I headed strait for it, and poured myself a steaming cup. Finding a spot on the ground, I pulled out my pen and scrap paper to make sure and write down any tidbits of information our coach for the weekend was telling us. A brief bio of our weekend coach - he has coached a team to third place national standing, has worked with some of the top derby teams in the USA, and is currently head coach for team Canada (World Cup Roller Derby, December 2011, Toronto).
Q. At practice, our team does great in drills, but falls apart in bouts
A. "Find Like". Find your color - asses who is better inside/outside. Play to your skill level. Train to area/space. Just saying "Play Together" is like saying "Jammer Go Fast, Turn Left". You need to have a leader, like in the military. If you lose your commander, everything goes to hell. Train people to communicate!
Q. What differences in derby do you see East/West coast?
A. Doesn't really matter what coast, in the end, who wins the tournaments? Ask yourself that. It's because who you have on your team. Learn to adapt and change. If you can evolve, you can win.
Q. Has to do with the Derby Dolls starting on line (flat track).
A. LA - 3 Dolls/color on line protect the line (like a picket line). Jammers have five seconds to push off. Get solid (four points of contact on the line to start) so you can't get pushed over. ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND.
Q. Sprinting off the line, everyone wants to control the line in front when the whistle blows.
A. At nationals this year, all the girls took a knee, so sprinting doesn't matter. Look for the gray area of WFTDA rules. If you are being moved, you can go backwards at the start. Remember to evolve.
Q. Can a coach be a referee too?
A. Only if the referee proves to be unbiased, or it would be unfair. What ever comes best for the league first. If your league fails, everything falls apart. There are many emotions in derby, it takes over lives (without a 12 step program).
Q. Advice for new teams starting out (Bi laws, thinking like a business, etc.)
A. Trademark your stuff. Get your focus, like where do you want to go? Are you here to rule the world? Have fun? Make friends? It hurts to take "ass kickers" to "ass kissers". Make sure that you have your bi laws and everyone knows them. Bi laws keep everything honest and healthy. Need to have a chain of command. Everyone from Hells Angels to the Masons have rules. Make sure that everyone paying dues, has a say.
Q. Anything else?
A. Can't be too picky. There are two types
- 1) Derby Skaters - show up to photo shoots, pay their dues, etc.
- 2) Girls that play derby - play anytime, anywhere, anyhow. It's PUT UP OR SHUT UP.
Superior Mouth Guards! Protech Dent Mouth Guards are the only mouth guard you need to invest in, get one for you and one for your derby wife and sister!
Become a member of a brand new roller derby forum! Ask a question, get an answer! Coming soon to Twitter, MySpace and Facebook too! http://www.rollerderbyforum.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment