The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby

5.11 - Cutting the Track

When out of bounds (which includes Straddling; see Section 10 - Glossary), skaters must return to an in-bounds position without bettering their position in relation to other skaters. Violations are considered Cutting the Track. A skater who is in bounds need not yield the right of way to an out-of-bounds skater. Skaters who 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 5.12 - 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 5.8 - Out of Bounds Engagement for downed skaters returning to the track and illegally blocking, and Section 5.3 - Low Blocking).

Downed skaters who 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 (until upright), 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.

5.11.1 - Returning behind the initiator of the block. When put into an out-of-bounds (or straddling) position by a block, an opponent must return to the track without bettering their position in relation to other skaters. Returning to the track in front of the initiator of the block is improving one’s relative position, regardless of who is in front when the receiving skater exits the track. 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 an opponent who blocked that skater out of bounds, except under the following circumstances where no penalty is to be issued:

5.11.1.1 - When the initiating skater is considered “in the box”, having been sent off the track for a penalty (see Section 6.2.3.2.2).

5.11.1.2 - When the initiating skater goes out of bounds at any time after the initiating block.

5.11.1.3 - When the initiating skater goes down or falls at any time after the initiating block.

5.11.1.4 - When an initiating Blocker exits out of the Engagement Zone at any time after the initiating block or when, during a No Pack scenario, said Blocker is 20 feet (6 meters) from any member of the last defined pack.

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, and Cutting the Track penalties on skaters other than the one who initiated the block.

5.11.2 - Examples of Cutting the Track:

5.11.2.1 - An in-bounds, upright, and skating skater who returns completely in bounds (having previously been out of bounds) in front of one or more in-play and upright skaters, which results in the offending skater having bettered their position.

5.11.2.2 - An in-bounds, upright, and skating skater who returns completely in bounds (having previously been out of bounds) in front of one or more in-bounds and upright skaters during a No Pack scenario, which results in the offending skater having bettered their position relative to that/those in-bounds skater(s).

5.11.3 - A skater straddling the track boundary line who then completely exits the track, regardless of which, or how many, skaters were passed while straddling. This skater is still subject to Skating Out of Bounds penalties (see Section 5.12 - Skating Out of Bounds).

5.11.4 - A skater who returns in bounds in front of any skaters who have committed penalties prior to the skater returning in bounds, even before said skaters’ penalties have been assessed.

While no penalty should be given for instances of “No Pass/No Penalty” infractions, neither should this be considered 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.

5.11.5 - Any of the scenarios in Sections 5.11.1.1–5.11.1.4.

5.11.6 - A skater cutting only one teammate.

5.11.7 - A skater returning in bounds in front of an opponent while that opponent is down or out of bounds.

5.11.8 - A skater, having gone out of bounds or straddling, that briefly and unintentionally completely returns to the track on one skate in their efforts to remain or return out of bounds.

5.11.8.1 - This only includes efforts to remain out of bounds. Failed attempts to re-enter the track legally, resulting in illegal gameplay, should be penalized as normal.

5.11.9 - A skater cutting any in-bounds and upright opponent, even during a No Pack situation.

5.11.10 - A skater cutting more than one in-bounds and upright teammate, even during a No Pack situation.

5.11.11 - Not applicable.