Roller Derby players will develop adaptive problem solving skills by performing a wide range of jam starts

This drill focuses on jam starts.

On game day skaters will have to think fast and respond to different starting scenarios - some they will be familiar with, some they may not. In this drill, skaters will be given a jam start scenario by the coach and will have to think on their feet to respond to them and make a good play.

Vary Pacing to Experience:
1 min planning time for newer students.
30 secs planning for intermediate students
30 secs planning PLUS last minute switch outs for extra difficulty for advanced students

Example Jam Starts:
Front/Back:
white front | black back
black back | white front

Track Advantage:
white 2 in the box | black normal
black 2 in the box | white normal

Power Jams:
power jam: white jammer in box
power jam: black jammer in box

Nightmare Scenario:
1 blocker on track, 1 blocker standing, 2 seated in box

Offensvie Switching:
black/white jammer starts ahead of the pack, blockers must perform offence and switch to make the catch

Successful students will be able to consistently come up with an appropriate plan and execute it. Remember choosing the right tactic is not necessarily the same as winning the jam. In this drill you are looking to make sure they can make a good choice: highlight good decision making whether or not it wins the jam - sometimes the best option is making the best of a bad situation. Probe students with questions in between jams to ask them what their plan is, and adjust for student type - if you have dominant students, make sure you check the understanding of quieter students with questioning