This evening was my second practise session with The Skateful Dead.
Sally was running the session. There were more people there this time, probably about 12 of us. We started with warm up exercises whilst skating round. I’m still a little unbalanced in quads and I very much felt like the new kid as others whizzed past me.
Then we practised “walls”. I still know hardly any of the rules, but what I do know it this. There are five players from each team on the rink during play. Four are blockers, the fifth is the jammer. The jammer has to try and get past the blockers. There are quite strict rules about grabbing other players, use of elbows and generally foul play. The blockers can either play defensively – by stopping the other teams jammer – or offensively – blocking the other teams blockers thus allowing their jammer through.
After some practice with three person walls and “cyclops” walls we moved on to something more like a proper game. The blockers form two rows some distance ahead of the jammers. Then all hell breaks loose as you try to block the opponents jammer, stay within the track, avoid falling over, resist getting pushed too quickly, only push with shoulders and hips and listen for penalty calls! It’s crazy!
I felt I did okay. I fell over quite a few times, made it past the blockers a few times, though apparently with various penalties – I suppose I had better make a start on that 65 page rule book! Very grateful to those that explained what I’d done wrong. It seems that they are a very friendly bunch :-)
I also thought I was quite fit, what with regular running and some training. I was glad that I took water – you get really warm really quickly – and I found that the gum shield made my mouth dry. I also discovered that I need heavier duty pads – elbow, backside and knee have all sustained impacts. My arms, shoulders and legs are already starting to ache. Best of all I have a couple of minor grazes on my arm – my first roller derby medals! :-)
After the session most of us called in at the Dusty Miller to replace lost fluids. We talked about training. I also found out that our first bout is in six weeks time – against a team that gets away with manslaughter on a regular basis by the sound of it. By then I need to have passed all my basic skills. Oh, and then in July we’re entered in the European championships down in Birmingham. Holy sh**!