Q: Is roller derby FAKE?
NO! Not any more. Unlike the derby of the 70's or pro wrestling of today, modern roller derby is a completely legitimate, competitive sport.
Q: What is the WFTDA?
The Women's Flat Track Derby Association is modern roller derby's main governing body. Since its founding in 2004, the WFTDA has successfully fostered widespread intercity competition, developed a standard rule set, set safety standards, and established a tournament structure which consistently features the world's highest level of competition in the sport.
Q: Is roller derby dangerous?
Like any contact sport, participants in modern roller derby may experience physical injury. Bumps, bruises, and scrapes are fairly universal, and many derby girls look on them as badges of honor. More serious injuries can include broken limbs and tail bones, separated shoulders, and ligament tears, particularly in the knees.
To minimize these risks, skaters practice injury-avoidance techniques like falling correctly, and work on strength and conditioning to ensure they're in good enough shape to take the beating. A typical roller derby practice session consists of less than 50% scrimmage activity, and focuses more on basic skills, strength, endurance, and safety.
Derby skaters also wear a protective equipment to prevent serious injury. Modern derby rule sets (and insurance providers) require skaters to wear helmets, mouth guards, elbow pads, wrist guards, and knee pads. Some skaters elect to wear additional protection, such as tail bone protectors or padded shorts.
For a little perspective, it's worth pointing out that cheerleading remains the most dangerous sport girls commonly engage in today.
Q: Why do the skaters use funny, fake names?
Modern derby skaters customarily adopt an alias, or "derby name." Initially meant to complement the over-the-top spectacle envisioned by the Austin revival's progenitors, the names have stuck even as modern roller derby quickly evolved toward pure competitive sport.
Why? It keeps the whimsy in the activity. It's a way of not taking oneself too seriously, even while taking the sport seriously. In a nutshell: it's fun! Really, if you have to ask, you probably aren't going to get it.
A handful of skaters have elected to skate under their legal name, rather than an alias, often out of a desire to further emphasize the modern sport's legitimacy. That may become a trend; it may not. The young sport of modern roller derby is still very much a work in progress, so only time will tell.
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