Question:

Should the penalty for “flipping the bird” be one minute in the box or an automatic ejection? Secondly, if WFTDA leaves us the freedom to decide, should this issue be decided by the league’s democratic process, or should the policy be decided by the refs only?

Answer:

“Flipping the bird,” or any other disrespectful gesture or expression by a skater directed toward a Referee or Official is grounds for automatic expulsion, according to precedent set forth in WFTDA interleague and tournament protocols. The same action by an opponent directed toward another skater is generally not penalized. Most WFTDA leagues follow this protocol, but the WFTDA does not interfere with the way individual member leagues govern Gross Misconduct of this nature in intraleague bouts. The WFTDA believes that the democratic process is the best model for success.

Question:

Can players re-enter the track the in front of the opponent who forced them out of bounds, if that opponent is herself currently out of bounds?

Answer:

Yes skaters can re-enter the track in front of out-of-bounds opponents. Rule 6.2.10.1 states that a “skater cutting around a downed or out-of-bounds player is not bettering her position.”  However out-of-bounds players will be penalized for cutting around in bounds players.

Question:

If a skater’s hips are ahead of a Blocker’s hips when that Blocker knocks her out of bounds, is that skater still eligible to be penalized for cutting the track if she returns to play in front of that Blocker?

Answer:

Yes, she is still eligible to receive penalties for cutting the track. Players must re-enter the track behind the player who forced them out of bounds, regardless of hip position and regardless of who was originally in front. The in bounds player successfully put the out of bounds player at a disadvantage by legally knocking her out of bounds and out of play and the out of bounds player cannot negate that advantage.

Question:

Does a Jammer have to pass blockers both ahead of the pack and out of play in order to become Lead Jammer?

Answer:

No, players ahead of the legal Engagement Zone* do not prevent a Jammer from becoming Lead Jammer. The first Jammer to legally pass the frontmost in-play Blocker, having previously and legally passed all in-play Blockers will earn Lead Jammer status. The Jammer must be in bounds for all passes.

*Engagement Zone - The zone in which players may legally engage. The legal Engagement Zone extends from 20’ behind the rearmost pack member to 20’ in front of the foremost pack member, between the inside and outside track boundaries. Jammers may engage each other outside of the Engagement Zone.

Question:

If a jam ends with out-of-play opponents in front of the pack (see 7.5.7), does a Jammer have to be in bounds to earn their points?

Answer:

No, it does not matter if the Jammer is in bounds or out of bounds — she still earns those points per rule 7.5.7.

Question:

If there is an illegal star pass, who is given the major penalty: the original Jammer, or the original Pivot?

Answer:

The initiator of the illegal star pass receives the major penalty.

Question:
During a Split Pack or No Pack situation, can a Jammer become Lead Jammer if she passes all players legally and in bounds?

If so, when is her initial trip through the pack complete (i.e. when can she no longer re-pass anyone she fouled)?

Answer:

Yes, Jammers can still become Lead Jammer during a split pack or no pack situation. The first Jammer to pass the frontmost player, having previously legally passed all other players will earn Lead Jammer.  The Jammer must be in bounds for all passes. Passed players need not be in bounds for the Jammer to become Lead Jammer.

Her initial pass is complete when she is 20 feet ahead of the frontmost skater.  (Under most circumstances a legal pack will reform quickly, and when there is a legal pack the initial pass is completed when the Jammer reaches 20 feet ahead of the frontmost pack skater.)

Question:
If one Jammer fouls the opposing Jammer on the initial pass, is the Jammer who committed the foul still eligible to be Lead Jammer?

Answer:
Yes she is still eligible to be Lead Jammer, provided that the foul was not a major penalty or fourth minor penalty.  Passing the opposing Jammer is not a criteria for earning Lead Jammer status.

Question:
If the skater that left the jam for equipment failure is a Jammer, when they re-enter the running jam, are they on the same lap as when they left the track?

Answer:
Yes, when returning to the jam in progress after fixing any equipment failure, the Jammer remains on the same scoring pass or initial pass, whichever is applicable.  This is the same as if they went to the penalty box.

Question:
If a Blocker can line up behind the Jammer line can said blocker hit the opposing Jammer before the Jammer starting whistle?

Answer:
No.  The Blocker is out of play and any blocking is therefore illegal.  In addition, Blockers will receive a minor penalty for lining up anywhere on the track not between the Jammer and Pivot lines.