Not your mama's rink: Roller Derby has come along way, baby

There are many men out there who like to sit and watch an entertaining episode - so to speak - of the WWE. To them, it is the man's soap opera - an evening of watching a scripted theatrical wrestling tournament. Well, back in the day, that is how people enjoyed Roller Derby as well. But times have changed and so has Roller Derby.

There is a new revolution in the sport comprised of women known also as "derby girls." There are no scripts and no performances. Instead, it is all talent, hard work and intensity.

"Roller Derby started again in 2003, and it has taken until just now for people to realize there was this stigma and they have all gained a new respect for the sport," says Erin Nelson, known as Alphea N Hell on The Chicago Outfit Roller Derby League.

Not only is Nelson one of the many founders of the nonprofit, volunteer league, she is also a board member, interleague coordinator and the trainer.

"Over three years ago a couple of friends were playing and wanted me to come give it a try" Nelson says. "I was sold after the first practice."

The practice isn't easy. The volunteer skaters get together two or three times a week and for 15-30 minutes just skate all out to build endurance. "It is difficult at first, but then it becomes natural," Nelson says.

Roller Derby games consist of three 20-minute periods. In each of those periods, there are two-minute jams where each team puts in new players.

Yes, as with many sports, Roller Derby is easier to understand when you see it rather than reading about it, but here are the basics:

Each team includes one jammer and four blockers so, as mathematics would conclude, there are 10 women out on the flat track on quad skates with four wheels, also known as speed skates.

"The blockers are all together in a pack, strategically placed and the jammer is 20 feet away from them," Nelson says. "Each team is trying to help their jammer get through the pack and, if she gets through first legally, then she is the lead jammer."

The lead jammer has the ability to end the "jam" before the two minutes are up by slapping her hands on her hips. Why? Because she thinks the opposing jammer is faster then her and might get through the pack, earning her opponent points. "It is up to the lead jammer's discretion," Nelson says. "She controls the pack and the time."

The first time through the pack is to determine who the lead jammer will be, after that the jammer skates around trying to get through the pack to earn points. She can earn up to four points: one for each derby girl she gets through. Getting through the opposing jammer is even better, getting you a Grand Slam. She is the only one who can earn points.

So now maybe you are thinking, O.K. - I am on skates and I am trying to get through defense to earn some points, sounds easy enough right? Wrong. As you are trying to skate through the pack, the opponents are trying to stop you by knocking you down, legally of course, through stall blocking, hip checks and body blocks or you may be whipped through by your team if the opportunity is right.

"The first thing we teach the girls is how to fall," Nelson says. "We teach them the different ways to fall and how to prevent themselves from injury."

Not only will you learn how to fall, but with all that skating and blocking, you'll get a full body workout and some super toned legs.

"Roller Derby is both physical and mental," Nelson says. "It's really great for women in general because - no matter what size or shape you are, you will have a different advantage."

There you have it, you are playing a sport on skates, getting knocked down and back up through a pack of eight girls, four of whom are not on your side.

If this sounds like just the thing you have been looking for, the Chicago Outfit Roller Derby league, which is now one year old, is having its question and answer recruiting session on Thursday, Nov. 6. The next two months will consist of working on becoming a derby girl before the official tryouts on Jan. 11. The cost is a $35 one time fee plus equipment and then $50 a month. You can go to chicagooutfitrollerderby.com for more information.

So, strap on you skates, get in shape and start thinking up your derby girl name.