The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby

NOTE: You are viewing the March 1, 2014 revision of The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby, which is officially retired.

The current version of the rules can be found at Rules Central.

3.3 - Jam Positioning

3.3.1 - During the jam, skaters must remain in play. Skaters who leave play may not engage, or be engaged, and must return to play. Skaters who engage while out of play, or who do not return to play, may be subject to penalties specified in Section 5.10 - Out of Play.

3.3.1.1 - Skaters who are out of play may legally counter-block.

3.3.2 - Blockers must also maintain a pack at all times. When there is no pack, Blockers must immediately act to form a pack, and may be penalized if they fail to do so.

Figure 1: In/Out of Play Example

In/Out of Play Example Diagram

• In the diagram, Group C is the pack as it is the largest group of Blockers skating in proximity and containing members of both teams.

• The two Blockers in Group B are not part of the pack because they are more than 10 feet (3 meters) from the nearest pack skater, but are still considered “in play” as they are within 20 feet (6 meters) of the nearest pack skater.

• The two Blockers in Group A are considered “out of play” since they are more than 20 feet (6 meters) from the nearest pack skater. Skaters in Group A will be warned that they are out of play and will be penalized if they do not immediately thereafter attempt to return to the Engagement Zone. If they block or assist, they may also receive Out of Play penalties, regardless of whether they have been warned (see Section 5.10 - Out of Play).

3.3.3 - Blockers who are out of play will receive an Out of Play warning from a referee. At this point, the Blocker must immediately attempt to return to play.

3.3.3.1 - While outside of the Engagement Zone, a Blocker must yield the right of way to the opposing Jammer by physically moving out of the Jammer’s path. Any engagement, including passive/positional blocking, may result in a penalty. A warning is not required before issuing a penalty for blocking while out of play (see Section 5.10 - Out of Play).

3.3.3.2 - A Blocker who is out of play must return to the Engagement Zone in the opposite way that Blocker left.

3.3.3.2.1 - If the Blocker exited the front of the Engagement Zone, that Blocker must drop back to legally return to play.

3.3.3.2.2 - To regain position after having fallen behind, a Blocker must return to the back of the Engagement Zone by skating within the track boundaries to legally return to play.

3.3.3.2.3 - Any Blocker who returns to the Engagement Zone in an illegal manner, such as lapping the pack or being lapped by the pack, is subject to penalties (see Section 5.10.14 and Section 5.10.15).

3.3.4 - If no pack can be defined, all Blockers will received a No Pack warning from a referee. At this point, all Blockers must immediately attempt to reform the pack.

3.3.5 - Jammers are always in play.

3.3.5.1 - If an out of play opposing Blocker initiates contact with a Jammer, the Jammer may legally counter-block.

3.3.5.2 - If a Jammer initiates contact with an out-of-play opposing Blocker, the Blocker may legally counter-block.

3.3.6 - Skaters may not engage, or be engaged, while out of bounds (except where specified in Section 5.8 - Out of Bounds Engagement.

3.3.7 - Skaters may not engage, or be engaged, while down (except where specified in Section 5.3 - Low Blocking and Section 5.16 - Misconduct/Gross Misconduct).

3.3.8 - Skaters may leave play mid-jam by removing themselves from the track, in order to remain safe. This includes but is not limited to a skater leaving the track due to injury, or to adjust or reposition the skater’s safety equipment or skates. Skaters who exit the track for other reasons may be subject to penalties under Section 5.12 - Skating Out of Bounds.

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