When I was thirteen years old, I though it would be a good idea to join a sport where we are all on eight wheels and hitting each other. The idea sounded great, and I have the pleasure of saying that the sport was great as well. I wasn’t going insane, I was just going insane with fifteen other team members who also loved to skate and push each other around. With the pushing came a lot of bruises, and each one tells a story.

Number One — We all fall down

Before we learned how to hit, we had to learn how to fall. I found it funny how most people would be embarrassed to fall in front of others, none the less on purpose. I get made fun of for tripping up the stairs in public for heaves sake.

Falling in roller derby just felt so natural though, and dare I say even fun. We made games out of practicing our falls so we knew how to do it safely. Everyone had fun, and everyone scuffed-up their knee pads.

Number Two — You will learn how to talk with that mouth guard

Another thing that you would think would make you get laughed at, but surprisingly… no. We all had our learning phases with our mouth guards, and through that, we all formed a new language of gibberish.

Number Three — Everything hurts

One of the drawbacks that come with roller derby is the pain. But I mean, we signed a wavier saying it was okay. I have never felt more pain in my life then getting thrown across the track, but the pain felt empowering, and that leads me to the next lesson.

Number Four — A sport made by women, for women

Roller Derby is one of those sports that is unique to women. It’s rough and tough, and that makes the sporty all the better. The fact that derby is such an aggressive sport makes women feel strong and capable.

Number Five — Your first hit

This is the moment we have all been waiting for. The hit. Seems simple enough, right? All I have to do is throw myself at an opposing player and all should be well. In a perfect world all would be well, until you add in the rules. No elbows, no kicks, no hands, no swearing at a specific person, and no tripping. Hitting has just gotten a lot harder.

You will learn how to hit with your stamp. (side of body from shoulder to hip) and once you do, that’s a power that no one will be able to take away.

My Reflection

I haven’t played derby for two years because of the restrictions of COVID. What people don’t realize is that you make a whole new persona for yourself in roller derby. Picking a new name, wearing crazy make-up, dressing like the warriors that we are. Roller Derby has been one of the most empowering things I have ever done, and I was only in the junior team. I went in when I was just thirteen years old, and it was a big part of where I found my confidence. You find it in yourself. My confidence didn’t come from my other teammates or my coaches, it came from getting knocked down and getting back up again. It came from feeling like my legs were going to fall off and still going to my next practice. It came from standing behind a wall of blockers and getting through. Roller derby wasn’t just a sport, it was a way to find who I am. And even though it is gone, I can still feel her inside ready to lace up her skates and jam.

When I was thirteen years old, I though it would be a good idea to join a sport where we are all on eight wheels and hitting each other. The idea sounded great, and I have the pleasure of saying that the sport was great as well. I wasn’t going insane, I was just going insane with fifteen other team members who also loved to skate and push each other around. With the pushing came a lot of bruises, and each one tells a story.

Number One — We all fall down

Before we learned how to hit, we had to learn how to fall. I found it funny how most people would be embarrassed to fall in front of others, none the less on purpose. I get made fun of for tripping up the stairs in public for heaves sake.

Falling in roller derby just felt so natural though, and dare I say even fun. We made games out of practicing our falls so we knew how to do it safely. Everyone had fun, and everyone scuffed-up their knee pads.

Number Two — You will learn how to talk with that mouth guard

Another thing that you would think would make you get laughed at, but surprisingly… no. We all had our learning phases with our mouth guards, and through that, we all formed a new language of gibberish.

Number Three — Everything hurts

One of the drawbacks that come with roller derby is the pain. But I mean, we signed a wavier saying it was okay. I have never felt more pain in my life then getting thrown across the track, but the pain felt empowering, and that leads me to the next lesson.

Number Four — A sport made by women, for women

Roller Derby is one of those sports that is unique to women. It’s rough and tough, and that makes the sporty all the better. The fact that derby is such an aggressive sport makes women feel strong and capable.

Number Five — Your first hit

This is the moment we have all been waiting for. The hit. Seems simple enough, right? All I have to do is throw myself at an opposing player and all should be well. In a perfect world all would be well, until you add in the rules. No elbows, no kicks, no hands, no swearing at a specific person, and no tripping. Hitting has just gotten a lot harder.

You will learn how to hit with your stamp. (side of body from shoulder to hip) and once you do, that’s a power that no one will be able to take away.

My Reflection

I haven’t played derby for two years because of the restrictions of COVID. What people don’t realize is that you make a whole new persona for yourself in roller derby. Picking a new name, wearing crazy make-up, dressing like the warriors that we are. Roller Derby has been one of the most empowering things I have ever done, and I was only in the junior team. I went in when I was just thirteen years old, and it was a big part of where I found my confidence. You find it in yourself. My confidence didn’t come from my other teammates or my coaches, it came from getting knocked down and getting back up again. It came from feeling like my legs were going to fall off and still going to my next practice. It came from standing behind a wall of blockers and getting through. Roller derby wasn’t just a sport, it was a way to find who I am. And even though it is gone, I can still feel her inside ready to lace up her skates and jam.