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Criss-crossing through a loose pack
10mins
Track Awareness: 10-20-30ft. front or back
10mins
Laterals with an open tripod
15mins
Jammer escaping from a 2-person lock on the side
15mins
If you can dodge a wrench...
10mins
60mins
Delivery Notes
Coach Boom
Roller Derby coach for 10yrs and a derby ref for 8yrs.
Handouts (1)
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Made with inspiration from:
Cherry Bombe
I skate, train, and ref at Rotterdam Roller Derby as Cherry Bombe #47 since 2022. Before that I skated at The Parliament of Pain The Hague Roller Derby. Have been skating since 2014. I love using LessonStack to write out drills and trainings and share
10
mins
Objective
Skaters will learn to move through a loose pack of blockers by alternating directions.
Activity
Skaters will start skating in a pack. You can give them directions to do certain things, such as:
- run on toe-stops
- skate backwards
- stop
- go to the inside
- go to the outside
Once the skaters are skating comfortably, you will pick 1-3 skaters to skate 2 laps and pass through the pack as fast as possible. This will enhance their ability to move through a bunch of skaters. You can do two variants: either the pack is "opposing skaters" and they cannot touch anyone with their hands, or the pack is "teammates" and they have to use their hands and voice to pass through as supple as possible.
You can continue shouting commands at the pack to make it extra difficult!
Check For Learning
Skaters are able to distuinguish between teammates and opposing skaters in their manner of passing through the pack, and can use their agility to pass through the pack without losing much speed.
Skaters are able to distuinguish between teammates and opposing skaters in their manner of passing through the pack, and can use their agility to pass through the pack without losing much speed.
10
mins
Objective
Skaters will learn to estimate how far they should skate for 10, 20 or 30ft.
Activity
Skaters pick a spot on the track. On your signal (voice command or certain whistle pattern) they skate backwards or forwards 10, 20 or 30ft.
The skaters have to stop just short of the required distance, or correct themselves as soon as possible afterwards, to keep from "destroying the pack" or "going out of play".
Check For Learning
Skaters will react fast, move fast, never go too far, and be able to use different kinds of stops.
Skaters will react fast, move fast, never go too far, and be able to use different kinds of stops.
15
mins
Objective
Blockers will learn to move side-to-side while blocking a jammer in an open tripod.
Activity
Skaters will form groups of 3 initially (we will add a jammer later). We will have different stages to this exercise, you can pick three stages depending on the level of your skaters. Each stage will take about 5min.
Stage 1: Lateral movements with a closed tripod without a jammer The trainer calls out "inside", "middle" or "outside". The 3 skaters move towards the inside, middle, or outside together as a formation. The trainer can also call "turn in" or "turn out", where the tripod will rotate (to the left or to the right) so that a new person ends up in front.
Stage 2: Lateral movements with an open tripod without a jammer The trainer calls out 1, 2, 3 or 4 , signifying the "lanes" on the track (1 being on the inside, 4 on the outside). These are the lanes the (imaginary) jammer is on. If the jammer goes to 1 or 4, the front support of the tripod will also have to move to 1 or 4, letting go of one of their blockers. The front-support will ALWAYS stay in the same lane as the jammer, and will support the blocker who "has" the jammer. ("turn in" and "turn out" can still be called)
The unsupported blocker is then "on their own" for a little while. They either stay a bit away from their blocking buddy, or they move slightly backwards and towards the jammer to "lock in" the jammer. Which is best depends on the capabilities of the jammer and blockers. (Tip: let your skaters discuss what they'd do with different jammers on the team; why?)
Stage 3: Lateral movements with an open tripod with a jammer (low-impact) Same as stage 2, but now instead of a trainer calling out the lanes, a jammer will be present to move to the lanes. The jammer can touch the tripod, but not hit or move around the tripod. They're merely there to indicate the right lane.
Stage 4: Lateral movements with an open tripod with a jammer (high-impact) Same as stage 3, but now the jammer can hit, move around the tripod, etc.
Check For Learning
- Tripods will move from lanes 1 to 4 effortlessly, letting go the "unsupported" blocker automatically.
- Blockers are able to judge if they should "hover" or "close in" the blocker (locking), and can perform both
- Blockers will keep the jammer on their butt (not in between the blockers) at all times.
- Blockers move back with the jammer. The front support moves back with the blocker on whose butt the jammer is.
- The front support stays in the same lane as the jammer.
- Tripods will move from lanes 1 to 4 effortlessly, letting go the "unsupported" blocker automatically.
- Blockers are able to judge if they should "hover" or "close in" the blocker (locking), and can perform both
- Blockers will keep the jammer on their butt (not in between the blockers) at all times.
- Blockers move back with the jammer. The front support moves back with the blocker on whose butt the jammer is.
- The front support stays in the same lane as the jammer.
15
mins
Objective
Jammers will learn different ways to escape from a 2-person lock at the side.
Activity
Two blockers (or two blockers plus a front-support) will put a jammer (purple) in a "lock" at the side: one blocker (1) is in front of them at the outside or inside track boundary, the other blocker (2) is next to the jammer and forms a very tight "lock" together with the blocker in front of the jammer (see picture).
The jammer practices different tactics to escape this lock: 1. Retract and hit: the jammer braces themseves, takes a stable position (not leaning forwards on either blocker). Then they breath in, while moving their upper body backwards. On their breath out, they move their upper body forwards and sideways, to hit the locking blocker (2) and break through diagonally. Leaning back first will de-stabilise the blocker pushing them. 2. Wiggle and push: the jammer gets low, then vigourously wiggles their upper body in between the two blockers. Once their shoulder is firmly pushed in, they push upwards and sideways, either pushing the blocker close to the boundary over the boundary or pushing the other blocker away. 3. Back and around: the jammer pushes themselves into the lock until the lock feels really good and firm. Then, they move back suddenly and move diagonally forward, away from the tripod. Surprise is key here!
These moves work great with offence: the offence can either take out the blocker in front of you (1) for the retract and hit, or the 2nd blocker for the back and around move. Excellent communication with offence required to get the timing right! The offence has to hit the blocker JUST as the jammer has moved backwards. Make sure you have a signal!
Check For Learning
Jammers will be able to escape a lock in three different ways, and will be able to suprise blockers with which way they choose. They will also have excellent communication with their offence.
Jammers will be able to escape a lock in three different ways, and will be able to suprise blockers with which way they choose. They will also have excellent communication with their offence.
10
mins
Objective
Skaters will learn to react quickly and be agile on skates.
Activity
Make groups of 3-10 skaters, and give each group 1-2 dodgeballs (or other soft objects).
Mark out a medium-sized square/circle on the floor with the cones. Each skater is going to stand in the middle of this square for 60 seconds (or until they get hit out) while the other skaters try to throw the ball at them. The skater's job is to dodge, duck, and avoid the ball, making this an excellent practice in balance, agility, and reaction time.
If you want to make it competitive, time all of the skaters while they are in the middle to see who can avoid being hit by the ball the longest.
Alternatively, have two groups compete with each other by assigning one group as ball-throwers, and the other group as "inside the circle", where they all have a go at being inside the circle. Time for both teams how long it takes until they've all been hit!
To challenge your skaters, shrink the size of the square.
Drill credit for this website: http://www.allderbydrills.com/search/label/Fun%20and%20games
Check For Learning
Skaters will be able to stay for longer in smaller squares.
Skaters will be able to stay for longer in smaller squares.