The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby

5.9 - Direction of Game Play

5.9.1 - Skaters must be skating and/or stepping in the counter-clockwise direction when executing a block. Skaters may not skate in the clockwise direction while executing a block. Skaters may not block while stopped on the track. These illegal blocking techniques include positional blocking. Clockwise movement is measured by the skates moving past a line perpendicular to the track boundaries.

5.9.2 - Skaters must be skating and/or stepping in the counter-clockwise direction when giving an assist. Skaters may not skate in the clockwise direction when giving or receiving an assist. Skaters may not give assists to skating teammates while stopped on the track. The initiator of the assist is responsible for the legality of the assist. Clockwise movement is measured by the skates moving past a line perpendicular to the track boundaries.

5.9.2.1 - A stopped or counter-clockwise stepping/skating Skater may legally assist a stopped or downed teammate.

5.9.3 - Skaters are permitted to skate clockwise on the track provided they do not engage with other Skaters (e.g., block opponents or assist teammates).

5.9.4 - Skaters are permitted to stop on the track provided they do not engage with other Skaters (e.g., block opponents or assist teammates).

5.9.4.1 - A Skater who is engaged in a block who then comes to a stop for any reason must cease all engagement until there is another legal opportunity to engage.

5.9.5 - Skaters may skate clockwise out of bounds when exiting the Penalty Box, but must return to play from the back of the pack (see Section 5.13 - Illegal Procedures).

5.9.6 - Skaters may block and/or assist while their body is facing any direction as long as they are moving in the counter-clockwise direction.

5.9.7 - Skating in the clockwise direction in a way that does not affect other Skaters.

5.9.8 - Skating clockwise while out of bounds in order to avoid a Cutting the Track penalty (see Section 5.11 - Cutting the Track).

5.9.9 - A Skater who, while stopped, helps a downed teammate to an upright position.

5.9.10 - A Skater who, while stopped, assists a stopped teammate.

5.9.11 - A Skater coming to a stop as a result of giving an assist.

5.9.12 - Incidental contact from a Skater getting spun around as a result of another block.

5.9.13 - A stopped Skater giving an assist that affects the recipient but does not improve the recipient’s relative position.

5.9.14 - A clockwise-skating or stepping Skater giving an assist that affects the recipient but does not improve the recipient’s relative position.

5.9.15 - Any block by a stopped or clockwise-moving Skater that forces the receiving opponent off balance, forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause an opponent to lose relative position, or the initiator or a teammate to gain relative position.

5.9.16 - A Skater who, while blocking an opponent, momentarily comes to a stop, but resumes counter-clockwise skating and/or stepping at the first legal opportunity.

5.9.16.1 - If there is no legal opportunity to skate and/or step in the counter-clockwise direction, no penalty will be assessed as long as the stopped Skater does not continue to engage.

5.9.17 - A block by a stopped Skater that includes physical contact that forces the receiving opponent to lose relative position, allows the initiator or a teammate to gain relative position, or puts the opponent severely off balance.

5.9.18 - A clockwise block that forces the receiving opponent to lose relative position, allows the initiator or a teammate to gain relative position, or puts the opponent severely off balance.

5.9.19 - A clockwise skating and/or stepping Skater giving an assist to a teammate who is neither down nor stopped that improves the recipient’s relative position. The penalty is given to the initiator of the assist.

5.9.20 - A stopped Skater giving an assist to a teammate who is neither down nor stopped that improves the recipient’s relative position.

5.9.21 - Actively maintaining a stopped position (e.g., via braking or receiving an assist), or maintaining clockwise momentum, while impeding an opponent.

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions. Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to block an opponent in an egregious manner while executing a clockwise or stopped block, whether or not the action was successful.

5.9.22 - Negligent or reckless contact with an opponent while executing a clockwise block.

5.9.23 - Negligent or reckless contact with an opponent while executing a stopped block.