The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby

9.2 - Duties

9.2.1 - Assessing team readiness for each jam

9.2.1.1 - The referees are responsible for determining that both teams have the correct number of skaters in the jam, taking into account skaters in the penalty box. (See Section 2.4.4 for details on starting with too few skaters.)

9.2.1.1.1 - If the jam starts with too many skaters, the referees must direct the last Blocker who entered to leave the track. If that skater cannot be identified, the Blocker that is closest to the referees must be directed off the track. The team may be penalized according to 6.13 Illegal Procedures.

9.2.1.1.2 - If the jam starts with too many skaters and the extra skater cannot be directed off the track, the referee must stop the jam. The team must be penalized according to Section 6.13.23.

9.2.1.1.3 - Referees do not warn teams when too many skaters line up on the track.

9.2.1.1.4 - Referees do not warn skaters or teams when they line up out of position (e.g., Blockers lining up in front of the Pivot Line).

9.2.1.2 - The referees will ensure that the skaters are wearing all required safety equipment, the correct uniforms, and the correct skater designations.

9.2.1.3 - The referees will determine that the skaters are in the proper formation.

9.2.2 - Signaling jam starts

9.2.2.1 - The officials will whistle the start of the pack and Jammers.

9.2.3 - Assigning and communicating Lead Jammer status

9.2.3.1 - The referees determine who has earned Lead Jammer status. Lead Jammer status is indicated by official hand signal, by blowing two short whistle blasts, and by pointing at the Lead Jammer.

9.2.3.2 - The referee will continue pointing to the Lead Jammer for the duration of the jam.

9.2.4 - The Jammer Referees are responsible for counting and signaling score according to the guidelines laid out in Section 8 - Scoring. They must communicate this score after each jam to the scorekeeper or scoreboard operator as per the WFTDA Officiating Standard Practices document.

9.2.5 - Safety is the number one priority for referees. Illegal game play that causes an unsafe environment is not to be tolerated. The referees are to assess and enforce penalties and expulsions as described in Section 6 - Penalties and Section 7 - Penalty Enforcement. Referees will use their discretion and their decisions are binding.

9.2.5.1 - Referees will use all officially designated hand signals as means to properly communicate to scorekeepers/penalty trackers, skaters, announcers, and fellow referees.

9.2.5.2 - Referees will:

9.2.5.2.1 - Whistle, hand signal, and vocally call out all major penalties.

9.2.5.2.2 - Exclusively use a skater’s team color and roster number for calling penalties on that skater.

9.2.5.3 - Referees will not:

9.2.5.3.1 - Use officiating numbers, charter names, or other abbreviations or systems outside of a roster number and team color.

9.2.6 - A referee calls off a jam by four short whistle blasts.

9.2.6.1 - A referee may call off a jam for any of the following reasons:

9.2.6.1.1 - Referees call an official timeout.

9.2.6.1.2 - Injury. Referees will only call off a jam in the case of a serious injury or an injury that could endanger another skater.

9.2.6.1.3 - Technical difficulty or mechanical malfunctions (including skate trouble).

9.2.6.1.4 - In response to a major penalty.

9.2.6.1.5 - Any skater is unduly interfered with by spectators.

9.2.6.1.6 - Emergency.

9.2.6.1.7 - Disruption of the skating surface (debris or spills).

9.2.6.1.8 - Too many skaters on the track. After the jam has started referees will expeditiously direct any extra skaters so that the jam does not have to be called off (see Section 9.2.6.2.6).

9.2.6.2 - A referee must call off a jam for any of the following reasons:

9.2.6.2.1 - Lead Jammer calls off the jam by repeatedly placing their hands on their hips.

9.2.6.2.2 - End of two-minute jam clock or the end of the period’s final jam.

9.2.6.2.3 - An injury that is a safety hazard to continued game play.

9.2.6.2.4 - Fighting.

9.2.6.2.5 - Technical difficulty or mechanical malfunction (including skate trouble) that is a safety hazard to continued play.

9.2.6.2.6 - Too many skaters on the track that gives that team a competitive advantage.

9.2.6.2.7 - Venue malfunctions (including power outages) that are a safety hazard to continued play.

9.2.6.2.8 - Physical interference (including fans on the track) that interferes with continued play.

9.2.6.3 - In the event that a referee must call off a jam prior to its natural conclusion (per Sections 9.2.6.2.3–9.2.6.2.8) with time remaining on the jam clock but not on the period clock, the points from the jam will remain and an additional jam may occur at the Head Referee’s discretion.

9.2.7 - Declaring a Forfeit

9.2.7.1 - The Head Referee may call a forfeit for the following reasons:

9.2.7.1.1 - A team has five or fewer un-injured rostered skaters remaining due to expulsions.

9.2.7.1.2 - A team refuses to field skaters on the track to continue play.

9.2.7.2 - The Head Referee must call a forfeit for the following reasons:

9.2.7.2.1 - A team fails to show up to a sanctioned bout or tournament.

9.2.7.2.2 - A team elects to forfeit rather than continue play.

9.2.8 - Referees may break up fights at their discretion and play will resume as quickly as possible.

9.2.9 - Referees have the option of calling an Official Timeout if they feel that there is a situation that would interfere with the safety of the skaters or crowd, or that would interfere with proper game play.

9.2.10 - In the event that there is a disagreement regarding a referee’s call or scoring, only the Captains or their Designated Alternates may discuss the ruling with the referees. Skaters, coaches, or managers may act as Designated Alternates.