The following is a summary of the changes in the WFTDA Standardized Flat Track Roller Derby Rules released on May 26, 2010.
Please note that this is not a comprehensive listing of new and changed rules. It is only provided as a convenience to highlight the most significant changes. Skaters, coaches, officials, and fans are encouraged to read through the new rule set in its entirety.
Jammer and Pivot start lines must be consistent in color throughout the length of the line. Sponsor logos are permitted on the lines. The width of the starting lines is also defined.
2.1.3.1 The track must clearly demarcate the Pivot and Jammer start lines. These lines must be consistent in color throughout the length and width of the line and must be at least one (1) inch and no greater than three (3) inches in width. Sponsor logos are permitted on the Pivot and Jammer Lines as long as the logo does not interfere with the contrast of the line to the skating surface.
Minor — 6.11.10 An in bounds, upright and skating Jammer who has re-entered the track from out of bounds in front of the opposing Jammer outside of the Engagement Zone, which results in her having bettered her position.
Minor — 6.11.11 An upright Jammer straddling the track boundary who passes the opposing Jammer, and then ceases her out of bounds contact with the floor outside of the Engagement Zone, which results in her having bettered her position.
Minor — 6.11.12 An in bounds, upright and skating skater who has re-entered the track from out of bounds in front of one in-bounds skater during a No Pack scenario, which results in her having bettered her position.
Minor — 6.11.13 An upright skater straddling the track boundary who passes one in-bounds skater, and then ceases her out of bounds contact with the floor during a No Pack scenario, which results in her having bettered her position.
Major — 6.11.18 An in bounds, upright and skating skater who has re-entered the track from out of bounds in front of multiple in -bounds skaters during a No Pack scenario, which results in her having bettered her position.
Major — 6.11.19 An upright skater straddling the track boundary who passes multiple in-bounds skaters, and then ceases her out of bounds contact with the floor during a No Pack scenario, which results in her having bettered her position.
No Impact/No Penalty — 6.13.4 A skater who establishes her starting position on the track before the first whistle, but is blocked out of bounds prior to or as the whistle blows will be allowed to remain in the jam.
Minor — 6.13.12 A skater initiating contact or engaging an opponent before the first whistle that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward or sideways, but does not cause her to lose her established starting position.
Major — 6.13.28 A skater initiating contact or engaging an opponent before the first whistle that forces the receiving opposing skater out of her established starting position. This includes forcing a skater down or out of bounds.
Who receives the major penalty when there are too many skaters on the track and the Jam is called:
6.13.17 Forcing a jam to be called off due to too many skaters on the track. The Penalty is issued to the Pivot in that jam. If there is no Pivot in that jam, the penalty is issued to the last Non-Pivot Blocker to enter the track to the extent that the referee is able to determine who that skater was. If there is no Pivot in the jam and the referee is unable to determine the last skater to enter the track, the referee issuing the illegal procedure must penalize the Blocker on the track closest to the referee who calls the penalty.
The Pivot will receive the major penalty when there is too many Skaters/ Support Staff in Team Area. If there is not a Pivot in the jam the penalty will go to the captain.
Major — 6.13.26 Too many skaters and/or team support staff in the designated team area. The penalty is issued to the Pivot at the time the Penalty is determined. If there is no Pivot in that jam, the Penalty is issued to the Captain in all circumstances.
7.3.4 Penalized skaters may not leave the designated penalty box area during either a team or official timeout (see Section 6.13.13).
Minor — 6.13.13 A penalized skater who leaves the penalty box during either a team or official timeout.
7.3.4.1 A penalized skater’s teammates, managers, and coaches may not at any time physically enter the designated penalty box area to communicate with the penalized skater (see Section 6.13.14).
Minor — 6.13.14 A penalized skater's teammates, manager, and/or coach who enters the designated penalty box area to communicate with a penalized skater. If the person entering is not a skater in the bout the penalty will go the Captain.
7.3.5 Penalized Captains and penalized Designated Alternates may not call a time out from the penalty box. A request for a timeout or official review signaled to the referees from a penalized Captain or penalized Designated Alternates shall not be granted.
7.3.6 Penalized skaters may only remove their mouth guard once they are seated in the penalty box. No other equipment may be removed while a skater is in the designated penalty box area (see Section 6.13.15).
Minor — 6.13.15 A penalized skater who removes her safety equipment in the penalty box. A penalized skater may remove her mouth guard only after she is seated in the penalty box. Merely adjusting safety equipment while in the penalty box is not to be penalized.
7.3.7 After serving their required time in the penalty box, a penalized skater may re-enter the track. A skater may skate clockwise in the ten (10) foot clearance around the outside of the track when exiting the penalty box. When she re-enters play, she must re-enter behind the rearmost pack skater.
7.5.1 Fouling Out
7.5.1.1 Skaters who are sent to the box for an excessive amount of combined major and minor offenses will foul out of the game and will not be permitted to return to play for the remainder of the game. All major and minor offenses count, not just repetitions of the same offense or family of offenses.
7.5.1.1.1 A skater fouls out from the game for seven accumulated penalty turns in the penalty box in a game.
9.1.1.1 All referees must be on skates.
9.1.5.1 Scorekeepers: A game will have at least two scorekeepers. The scorekeepers record the points reported by the Jammer referees and keeps the official score.
9.2.6.2 A referee must call off a jam for any of the following reasons:
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.
If a referee must call jam before natural conclusion with time remaining on the jam clock but not on the period clock, an additional jam may be run.
9.2.6.3 In the event that a referee must call off a jam prior to its natural conclusion (per rules 9.2.6.2.3 – 9.2.6.2.8) with time remaining on the jam clock, but not the period clock, the points from the jam will remain and an additional jam may occur at the Head Referee’s discretion.
Referees may now use numbers as a means of idenfitying themselves on their jersey in addition to or instead of a name.
9.4.3 Each referee participating in a bout must visibly and clearly identify his/herself on the back of his/her jersey. A referee may use any of the following as identification:
9.4.3.1 Name
9.4.3.2 Name and number
9.4.3.2.1 If a referee chooses to wear both a name and a number, there are not any restrictions on the number (i.e. it may contain letters and symbols). The referee’s name will be the identifying item.
9.4.3.3 Number
9.4.3.3.1 If a referee chooses to be identified solely by a number that number may only be a 1-4 digit numeral (i.e., it may not contain letters and symbols, regardless of their size).
Real. Strong. Athletic. Revolutionary.