NOTE: You are viewing the June 15, 2013 revision of The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby, which has been officially retired.
The current version of the rules can be found at Rules Central.
When out of bounds, skaters must return to the track without bettering their position in relation to other skaters. Violations are considered Cutting the Track. A skater that is in bounds need not yield the right of way to an out-of-bounds skater. Skaters that are out of bounds must find an entrance back in bounds that does not require in-bounds skaters to move. Out-of-bounds skaters are subject to skating out of bounds penalties even if they do not cut the track (see Section 6.12 - Skating Out of Bounds).
This section addresses penalties for cutting the track. Skaters must be upright and skating or standing to receive cutting the track penalties. (See Section 6.8 - Out of Bounds Engagement for downed skaters returning to the track and illegally blocking and Section 6.3 - Low Blocking).
Downed skaters that have returned to the track are subject to applicable cutting the track penalties when they return to an in-bounds, upright, and skating or standing position. Downed skaters are not to be penalized with cutting the track penalties, but are still subject to low blocking and blocking from out of bounds penalties. Skaters cannot drop back while in play in efforts to undo or avoid cutting the track penalties.
6.11.1 - Returning behind the initiator of the block. When sent out of bounds by a block, an opponent must return to the track without bettering their position in relation to other skaters. Returning to the track from out of bounds in front of the initiator of the block is improving your relative position, regardless of who is in front when the block is executed. An in-bounds skater who forces an opponent out of bounds earns and establishes superior position. A skater may not return in bounds in front of another skater who blocked that skater out of bounds, except under the following circumstances where no penalty is to be issued:
6.11.1.1 - When the initiating skater is considered “in the box,” having been sent off the track for a penalty (see Section 7.2.3.2.2).
6.11.1.4 - When the initiating skater exits out of the Engagement Zone at any time after the initiating block.
The outcome and aftermath of a block are complete when the receiving skater has re-established control of their own self on the track. If the receiving skater exits the track after the outcome and aftermath of a block, that skater is not required to return behind the initiator of the previous block. The skater is, however, still subject to skating out of bounds penalties.
6.11.2 - Skaters straddling the track boundary line. Skaters are straddling the track boundary line when they are simultaneously touching both inside and outside the track boundary line. Straddling skaters are subject to cutting the track penalties when they are in bounds, upright, and skating or standing. The boundary line is considered in bounds. Airborne skaters are not considered straddling skaters. (See Section 6.8.9 for the in bounds/out of bounds status of airborne skaters.)
6.11.3.1 - An in-bounds, upright, and skating skater who returns completely in-bounds (having previously been either out-of-bounds or straddling), who does so in front of one or more in-play skaters, which results in the offending skater having bettered their position.
6.11.3.2 - An in-bounds, upright, and skating skater who returns completely in-bounds (having previously been either out-of-bounds or straddling), who does so in front of one or more in-bounds skaters during a no-pack scenario, which results in the offending skater having bettered their position relative to that/those in-bounds skater(s).
No Impact / No Penalty
6.11.4 - A skater who has returned to the track in front of a downed, out of bounds, or out of play skater is not bettering their position. However, such skaters are subject to cutting the track penalties for other in-play skaters and are still subject to skating out of bounds penalties.
6.11.5 - A skater who has returned to the track in front of a skater who is “in the box,” having been sent off the track for a penalty.
6.11.6 - A skater straddling the track boundary line who then completely exits the track, regardless of which, or how many, skaters were passed while straddling.
6.11.7 - An out of bounds skater that steps one skate inside the track boundary to become a straddling skater and then steps back completely out of bounds, never removing out of bounds contact with the floor.
6.11.8 - Any of the scenarios in Sections 6.11.1.1–6.11.1.4.
No Pass/No Penalty
While no penalty should be given for instances of “No Pass/No Penalty” infractions, neither should credit be given for a legal pass of the person being passed. This may result in, for instance, a Jammer failing to earn Lead Jammer status, despite being the first Jammer to clear the pack and having incurred no penalties.
6.11.10 - A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater is considered “in the box,” having been sent off the track for a penalty (see Section 7.2.3.2.2).
6.11.11 - A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater goes out of bounds at any time after the initiating block.
6.11.12 - A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater goes down or falls at any time after the initiating block.
6.11.13 - A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater exits out of the Engagement Zone at any time after the initiating block.
Major Penalty
Expulsion
©2013 Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby may not be reproduced or translated in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the WFTDA.
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