The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby

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.

9.1 - Staffing

9.1.1 - Each bout will have no less than three skating referees and no more than seven referees total. It is strongly encouraged that at least one referee be WFTDA Certified.

9.1.1.1 - All referees must be on skates.

9.1.1.2 - No more than four referees will be positioned inside the track.

9.1.2 - Head Referee. One referee is designated Head Referee; the Head Referee is the ultimate authority in the game. The Head Referee will assign positions and duties to the other referees and non-skating officials.

9.1.2.1 - The Head Referee is the only referee with the authority to expel a skater, manager, or coach. All other referees and officials must make recommendations to the Head Referee if they observe actions that warrant expulsion (see Section 7.4.2.1).

9.1.3 - Jammer Referees. Two referees are responsible for observing Jammers, one per team.

9.1.3.1 - Jammer Referees wear an identifier (wrist band, sash, helmet cover, etc.) corresponding to team colors to indicate the team for which the referee is responsible.

9.1.3.2 - At the end of a period, the Jammer Referees switch the team for which they are responsible and the identifier corresponding to each team.

9.1.4 - Pack Referees. The remaining referees observe the pack. The primary responsibility for Pack Referees is to call penalties. Pack Referee assignments and specifics regarding Pack Referee positioning can be found in the WFTDA Officiating Standard Practices document.

9.1.4.1 - No more than two Pack Referees will be stationed inside the track.

9.1.5 - Non-Skating Officials

9.1.5.1 - Scorekeepers. A game will have at least two scorekeepers. The scorekeepers record the points reported by the Jammer Referees and keep the official score.

9.1.5.2 - Penalty Trackers. A game will have at least one penalty tracker. The penalty tracker records the penalties reported by referees and keeps track of the official penalty tally.

9.1.5.3 - Penalty Timing Officials. A game will have at least two officials to oversee the penalty box. The penalty timing officials time penalties and assist referees in ensuring a team skates short when they ought.

9.1.5.4 - Scoreboard Operator. A game will have one scoreboard operator. The scoreboard operator posts the score from the scorekeeper and the penalties from the penalty tracker.

9.1.5.5 - Jam Timer. A game will have one jam timer. The jam timer is responsible for starting jams and for timing 30 seconds between jams. The jam timer is also responsible for ending jams that run the full 2 minutes.

Real. Strong. Athletic. Revolutionary.