The Bout: The big game. It all happens in two chaotic “jam-packed” 30-minute periods.
The Jam: The action can last up to two minutes. Five players from each team line up for battle on the oval flat track that is about 12 feet wide; it laps at 60 feet. One player from the five allowed on the track skates as pivot, identified by a striped helmet cover. She leads the three blockers from her team, who take off in a pack at the head ref’s single whistle. A jammer, identified by stars on a helmet cover, is a lightning fast skater who can score the points. She lines up 33 feet behind the pivots and blasts off at the shrill of the second whistle.
The Score: When the jammer passes or laps the pack the second time, scoring begins with one point accrued as she legally passes an opposing team skater. Blockers play offense and defense simultaneously with hip checks, hard hits and agility, putting their bodies in the line of attack with every move meant to block the opposing jammer while aiding their own jammer in scoring.
Lead Jammer: When the first jammer legally passes the pack, the ref’s whistle and pointing finger dubs her lead jammer—she now has the power to score and/or call off the jam (the time when points are scored) by placing her hands on her hips at least twice. Watch this closely. The strategy of this timing is critical both for offensive and defensive plays.
No-nos, it’s illegal to:
• Block with elbows, forearms, hands or head
• Engage a skater more than 20 feet in front of or behind the pack
• Intentionally trip another skater hit, push or block from behind.
• Hold, grab, scratch, clothes-line or display other unsportsmanlike conduct
It’s totally legal to:
• Hit from the side
• Use the arm above the elbow to block
• Apply torso or hip checks
• Whip or push a teammate.