1. Spielgrundlagen und Sicherheit

1.1. Spieldauer

A game lasts for 60 minutes of play, divided into two 30-minute periods with a halftime between them. Periods are broken into Jams, which are the basic unit of play for roller derby.

Jam Timing

Ein Jam kann bis zu zwei Minuten dauern. Jams können, wie unten beschrieben, vor Ablauf der zwei Minuten abgebrochen werden. Jeder Jam beginnt mit einem kurzen Pfiff und endet mit dem letzten Pfiff einer Folge von vier kurzen Pfiffen. Zwischen den einzelnen Jams müssen mindestens 30 Sekunden vergehen. Es dürfen nicht mehr als 30 Sekunden vergehen, falls kein Time-out genommen wird.

Period Timing

A period starts on the Jam-Starting Whistle of the first Jam for that period. The period clock does not stop between Jams unless a timeout is called. If the period clock reaches zero before the next Jam has started, the period ends at that moment; otherwise, the period ends at the conclusion of the final Jam for the period.

Additional Jams

If a Jam is called off due to officiating discretion (see Abschnitt 5.2) or there is an officiating error that potentially impacts which team wins or loses the game, and there are less than 30 seconds remaining on the period clock at the end of the game (including when the period clock has expired), an additional Jam may be run at the discretion of the Head Referee. This additional Jam will have the same form (Overtime or not; see Abschnitt 1.5.1) as the Jam that ended and be part of the same period.

1.2. Teams

A team is composed of Skaters, who must be uniquely identified by a roster number. Each team must have a jersey of the same base color, such that uniform colors of the two teams playing are of high contrast.

Skater Identification

Roster numbers must be clearly displayed on a Skater’s back and upper arm areas. Each team must have helmet covers to clearly indicate who their Jammer and Pivot are. The Jammer and Pivot helmet covers for the two teams must be easy to differentiate.

Captains and Alternates

Each team may have one Captain and one Alternate. The Captain must be a Skater able to serve penalties on behalf of their team. The Alternate may be a non-skating participant. A team must designate a Captain if one is necessary to serve a penalty on behalf of the team. The Captain and Alternate must be visibly identified by wearing a „C“ and an „A“, respectively, on their uniform or body.

Equipment

Skaters must wear quad-style roller skates and protective gear during play. Inline skates are not permitted. Protective gear may not be removed during play. Protective gear may not impair or interfere with the safety or play of other Skaters, support staff, or Officials.

Injured Skaters

Skaters who are injured during play may return to play as long as they are no longer apparently injured or bleeding. A Skater whose injury alters the flow of the game (examples include a Jam being called off, a period clock stoppage, or a substitute being seated in the Penalty Box) may not participate during the following three Jams (extending into the following period if necessary). A Skater whose injury alters the flow of the game more than once in a period may not participate as a Skater for the rest of that period.

Forfeits

The Head Referee may declare that a team has forfeited the game if that team has five or fewer Skaters eligible to participate, or refuses to field Skaters on the track to continue play.

1.3. Time-outs

Teams and Officials may stop the period clock by calling a timeout. Timeouts may only be called between Jams, though Officials may end a Jam in order to call an Official Timeout. The beginning of a timeout is marked by four short whistle blasts, and the end of a timeout is marked by a long rolling whistle, after which the next Jam begins as soon as possible if there is time remaining on the period clock. At most, 30 seconds may pass before the next Jam begins. The period clock starts again at the Jam-Starting Whistle.

There are three types of timeouts:

1.3.1. Team-Time-outs

Each team may take three timeouts during the game. Team Timeouts may be requested only by the team’s Captain or Alternate. Captains or Alternates currently serving a penalty cannot request a Team Timeout. Team Timeouts last for 60 seconds.

1.3.2. Official-Reviews

Both teams begin each period with one Official Review which they may use during that period. An Official Review is a formal request made by a team’s Captain or Alternate for Officials to review a specific officiating decision. Captains or Alternates currently serving a penalty cannot request an Official Review.

The only officiating decisions that can be the subject of an Official Review are those made:

  • During the prior Jam;

  • After the prior Jam; or

  • During the Lineup Time preceding the prior Jam.

After the final Jam of a Period, an Official Review may be requested within 30 seconds of the conclusion of the Jam. This review may only result in an additional Jam under the conditions in Abschnitt 1.1.

Official Review Procedure

The Head Referee investigates the review with other Officials, and uses the information gathered to render a decision on the item under review, as well as related decisions. The Head Referee then announces their findings and any changes that result from the review to both teams‘ representatives. This decision is final and not reviewable.

Official Review Outcomes

If the Head Referee determines that an officiating error was made in relation to the situation under review, the team will retain the privilege to call an additional review later in the same period. The review can be retained in this manner only once per period. Official Reviews (whether unused or retained) are not carried forward to the subsequent period.

Official Reviews as Timeouts

A team may elect to use any of their Official Reviews as a 60 second timeout. In this case, the review will not be retained.

1.3.3. Official Time-outs

Officials may take a timeout in order to ensure that the game is running smoothly and correctly.

If a Jam ends with less than 30 seconds remaining on the Period clock, and an Official Timeout is taken, Officials must determine if there is a reason to hold another Jam in that Period.

If the Officials determine that there is no reason to hold another Jam, both teams must be given an opportunity to call a Team Timeout or Official Review (if they have any remaining). If they decline, the period will end.

1.4. Spielinformationen

Critical game information must be displayed in a manner that is highly visible to teams, officials, and spectators. This displayed information is considered official, and must include, at a minimum:

  • The period clock

  • The Jam clock

  • The official score

Fehler bei der Uhr oder beim Punktestand sollten so schnell wie möglich korrigiert werden. Falls der Fehler für längere Zeit besteht, sollte er lediglich ausgebessert werden, wenn die Ausbesserung nur eine minimale Auswirkung auf das Spiel hat.

1.5. Gewinnen

Das Team mit den meisten Punkten am Ende des Spiels gewinnt.

1.5.1. Overtime (Verlängerung)

If the game ends with the score tied, the second period will be extended by at least one additional Jam. This Overtime Jam is like any other Jam, but with these changes:

  • The Lineup Time before the Jam is sixty seconds.

  • No Lead Jammer is declared.

  • Both Jammers begin scoring on their first trip through the Pack (each Jammer is in position to lap the opposing Blockers on their first earned pass of those Blockers).

More Overtime Jams will be added until a Jam ends with the score no longer tied.