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.
8.2.1.1 - 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 1.5.4 for details on starting with too few skaters.)
8.2.1.1.1 - 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 who is closest to the referees must be directed off the track.
8.2.1.1.2 - 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 extra skater shall be penalized according to Section 5.13.15.
8.2.1.1.2.1 - If another teammate, who was not directed to leave, leaves the track in order to maintain the correct number of skaters, the jam may continue and no penalty shall be issued.
8.2.1.1.4 - 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).
8.2.1.2 - The referees will ensure that the skaters are wearing all required safety equipment, the correct uniforms, and the correct skater designations.
8.2.3.1 - 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.
8.2.4 - The Jammer Referees are responsible for counting and signaling score according to the guidelines laid out in Section 7 - Scoring. They must communicate this score after each jam to the Scorekeeper or Scoreboard Operator as per the WFTDA Officiating Standard Practices document.
8.2.5 - 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 5 - Penalties and Section 6 - Penalty Enforcement. Referees will use their discretion and their decisions are binding.
8.2.5.1 - Referees will use all officially designated hand signals as means to properly communicate to Scorekeepers/Penalty Trackers, skaters, announcers, and fellow referees (see WFTDA Official Hand Signals for approved hand signals).
8.2.5.2.1 - Whistle, hand signal, and vocally call out all penalties at a volume sufficient for skaters and Officials to hear.
8.2.5.2.2 - Exclusively use a skater’s team color and roster number for referring to that skater (for example, calling penalties on the skater). Other systems, including officiating numbers, legal names, charter names, or abbreviated numbers, shall not be used, even for communication solely amongst Officials.
8.2.6.1.2 - Injury: Referees will only call off a jam in the case of a serious injury or an injury that could endanger another skater.
8.2.6.1.4 - In response to commision of a penalty that impacts the game (see Section 6.1.3).
8.2.6.1.8 - 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 8.2.6.2.6).
8.2.6.2.5 - Technical difficulty or mechanical malfunction (including skate trouble) that is a safety hazard to continued play.
8.2.6.2.7 - Venue malfunctions (including power outages) that are a safety hazard to continued play.
8.2.6.2.8 - Physical interference (including fans on the track) that interferes with continued play.
8.2.6.3 - In the event that any jam (including an overtime jam) is called off prior to its natural conclusion (for example Sections 8.2.6.2.3–8.2.6.2.8) 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. Such a jam will follow the rules for overtime jams (Section 1.6 - Overtime).
8.2.8 - Referees may break up fights at their discretion and play will resume as quickly as possible.
©2014 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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