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.
6.9.1 - Skaters must be skating and/or stepping in the counter-clockwise direction when executing a block. Skaters may not skate in the clockwise direction while executing a block. Skaters may not block while stopped on the track. These illegal blocking techniques include positional blocking. Clockwise movement is measured by the skates moving past a line perpendicular to the track boundaries.
6.9.2 - Skaters must be skating and/or stepping in the counter-clockwise direction when giving an assist. Skaters may not skate in the clockwise direction when giving or receiving an assist. Skaters may not give assists to skating teammates while stopped on the track. The initiator of the assist is responsible for the legality of the assist. Clockwise movement is measured by the skates moving past a line perpendicular to the track boundaries.
6.9.2.1 - A stopped or counter-clockwise stepping/skating skater may legally assist a stopped or downed teammate.
6.9.3 - Skaters are permitted to skate clockwise on the track provided they do not block, assist, or otherwise engage teammates or opponents.
6.9.4 - Skaters are permitted to stop on the track provided they do not block, assist, or otherwise engage teammates or opponents.
6.9.4.1 - A skater who is engaged in a block who then comes to a stop for any reason must cease all engagement until there is another legal opportunity to engage.
6.9.5 - Skaters may skate clockwise out of bounds when exiting the penalty box, but must return to play from the back of the pack (see Section 6.13 - Illegal Procedures).
6.9.6 - Skaters may block and/or assist while their body is facing any direction as long as they are moving in the counter-clockwise direction.
No Impact / No Penalty
6.9.8 - A skater, while stopped on the track, assisting a downed teammate to an upright position or assisting another stopped teammate.
6.9.10 - A stopped skater giving an assist that affects the recipient but does not improve the recipient’s relative position.
6.9.11 - A clockwise positional block that forces the receiving opposing skater off-balance, forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position.
6.9.12 - A positional block by a stopped skater that forces the receiving opposing skater off-balance, forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position.
6.9.13 - A skater who, while blocking an opposing skater, momentarily comes to a stop, but resumes counter-clockwise skating and/or stepping at the first legal opportunity.
6.9.14 - If there is no legal opportunity to skate and/or step in the counter-clockwise direction no penalty will be assessed as long as the stopped skater does not continue to engage.
Major Penalty
If the illegal block causes a skater to fall or has a measurable consequence for the game it is a major penalty.
6.9.15 - A block by a stopped skater that includes physical contact which forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position.
6.9.16 - A clockwise skating and/or stepping skater giving an assist that affects the recipient, regardless of whether or not it improves the recipient’s relative position. The penalty is given to the initiator of the assist.
6.9.17 - A clockwise block that includes physical contact which forces the receiving opposing skater off-balance, forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position.
6.9.18 - A skater who comes to a stop while blocking an opposing skater but does not begin counter-clockwise skating and/or stepping again at the first legal opportunity.
6.9.19 - A clockwise block that forces the receiving opposing skater to lose established position. This includes forcing a skater down, out of bounds, or out of relative position.
6.9.20 - A block by a stopped skater that forces the receiving opposing skater to lose established position. This includes forcing a skater down, out of bounds, or out of relative position.
Expulsion
The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multigame suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to block an opponent in an egregious manner while executing a clockwise block, whether or not the action was successful.
©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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