Into the Meat of it

Practice two on an unseasonably warm November day I feel a little more like I am supposed to be here. I strap on my skates and pads with the other fresh meat, slightly segregated from the vets.   My legs, thighs and buns aware and prepared this time for the pain they soon will experience.  We are expected to warm up with the group which actually scares the bejesus out of me, and I join them skating slowly and cautiously on the outside.  I do not attempt any of the transitions, knee pops, butt kicks, knee raises as I struggle right now with simply staying upright.   After stretching and introductions we head to the coned off area at the end to practice our falls. 

For anyone thinking of joining a fresh meat class you are going to learn basic skating skills, how to stop and fall properly.  This is to get you ready for your level 1 assessment where you have to demonstrate all these skills before you are cleared to hit.  (I am mildly disappointed that I don’t get to hit people right away.)  Skating and hitting –that’s why I signed up for and you actually get to do very little of either to start. Katherine Hipburn, our esteemed trainer, is actually teaching her first fresh meat class.  We would be Hipburn’s first students. (Thank you Hipburn-you really taught me how to kick ass with attitude!)  I am not going to bore you with much detail YET but here are the basics.  We need to master single knee falls, double knee falls (also called rockstar), baseball slide, 180 slide, toe stops, tstops, sticky skate, crossovers, and gliding on one foot.

The first of 4 these all involve going to your knees while skating.  I feel like a fool of course but you can’t imagine how hard it is to throw yourself on the ground on skates.  You have to tip forward and literally force yourself to go to the knee.  It’s entirely mental at first.  Your mind does not want your body to pitch itself to the knees.  If I did this without pads I know this would be extremely painful and so does my brain.  Until you learn that your knee pads will protect you, your instinct is to resist that falling motion and you end up with an awkward bump to the floor. (And a sore back)   Overall I think the Rockstar slide is the easiest as it takes less balance than the one knee fall.  I also cannot imagine where I will ever use the baseball slide? I am certain it is illegal to kick someone with my skates even though I have not read the entire WFTDA rule book.  Yet I really feel like I am about to kick someone every time I attempt this slide.   The 180 is more like a 90 turn when you start out.   After practice, I spend a lot of time on YouTube watching videos of other derby girls fall with ease and wonder if I will ever get there?    

From a Fresh meat perspective- Jaime

How to Prepare for Your Next Fresh Meat Class

      Our next fresh meat class starts up on May 9^th!  If you ever thought about taking the plunge into roller derby-dom, here’s some tips on how to get prepared. 

1.     Do your homework.  Not just with gear or what’s the newest trend with knee socks, but with the game.  There are a lot of great websites that will teach you about the history and rules of this great game.  Here’s some examples:

·          www.wftda.com - Women’s Flat Track Derby Association website.  A lot of leagues follow this rule set and you can download the PDF rule book for your viewing pleasure along with practice tests.

·          www.derbynewsnetwork.com - DNN is your one-stop shop for all your derby news needs.  Even better is that they stream select bouts throughout the country for free.  They also have a schedule of Derby bouts happening in your area.  One of the main ways to understand Roller Derby is to watch Roller Derby.  Related: Their sister site www.derbylife.com, which feature columns and advice from fellow derbyists.

·          Read this book.  Roller Derby is a nice short book that will give you an overview of the history of Derby and basic rules. 

·          Get pumped up by watching movies about real Roller Derby (a.k.a. not “Whip It”).  If you have Netflix, “Brutal Beauty”, “Blood on the Flat Track” and “Hell on Wheels” are all available on streaming.

2.     Research your gear.  Online shopping is great for the convenience, but you never know what would actually work for you unless you try it on.  Lucky for us Bruised Boutique is a great derby shop right around the corner in Nashua, NH.  They have great knowledgeable staff and one of our very own skaters (say hi to BA!) there to help you with everything you need to start your Derby career right.

 3.     Skate as much as you can.  You can get a head start by going out to the park or rink and get comfortable on your skates (plus dodging little kids is sort of like Derby).  There are at least five skating rinks in the Boston area and we hold Meat and Greets at Roll-on America every month. 

4.     Reserve your spot for our next Fresh Meat class!  Our next class starts on May 9^th and is a 12-week program designed to help you become ready to skate and hit with the best of them!  For more info contact us at info@baystatebrawlers.com.

We’ll look forward to seeing you on the track!  Now go study up!

  

-       Scandinavian Flick Off (300hp)

A Word From the President

Greetings! Cali N. Tay here! I didn’t realize how difficult writing a derby blog at a level where the audience actually gets something out of. You see, the problem really lies within the fact that I am a fairly new skater. During my initial season, I managed to make the travel team and co-captain for an interleague team. While I grew up skating on paved sidewalks in sunny California, I never had derby experience, just unyielding drive to be the best skater and teammate I can be. So I’d like to make my first blog entry a list if you will, of what I found to be some of my biggest hurdles and how I overcame them as a skater. They may not all apply to you, but keep in mind as you read; my experience is based on my body’s stocky frame and position as a heavy blocker. Perhaps future jammer…who knows...

1. GET YOUR BUTT IN SHAPE! –You owe it to yourself as well as your teammates to be in your best playing shape. Good old fashioned push-ups and sit-ups on a regular basis are excellent ways to strengthen your core, reducing injury and enhancing agility on the track.
2. KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE!-We all have bad nights. Are you a slower skater like I was? Or are you, like me, the one always getting trapped? Everyone was there at some point. Be your own critic, yet realize your accomplishments as they happen. Recognize that you knocked off 3 seconds off your 25 in 5. As long as you push yourself to the nth power, you will always improve.
3. GET YOUR BODY THERE!-I spent so much time in the box during my first season because I could not keep my elbows in. Not only was my timing off, but I was lunging to make any sort of contact with the opposite player resulting in flailing, desperate elbow penalties. I learned not to reach for my target but to physically get to and take my opponent’s position.
4. KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL!-The last time I really got hurt, I got blind-sided because I was focusing too much on the jammer coming my way. In one second your skating status can be threatened by a heavy hitter having their way with you when you’re not looking. Watch out for every opponent, always buddy up and look out for one another.
5. GET THE MOST OUT OF PRACTICE!-I’m guilty, I’ve been yelled at for talking during practice, having to ask my comrade next to, “Uh…What are we doing?” I love the social aspect of my league, but practice time is limited and expensive. Use it! You pay for it. Keep the work/derby biz and better yet the gossip off the track. Work up a sweat while you bond with your girls!

Take in this next season, whether it’s your first or fifth, it’s bound to be full of challenges and inspiration. Live it and embrace it all! The Brawlers have accomplished so much in so little time, with unwavering sportsmanship and dedication. Through all of your hard work it’s key to remember to HAVE FUN! I am one proud and confident teammate/President! Much Love skaters… Now let’s do this!

In Solidarity,

Cali N. Tay

President, Bay State Brawlers