Unfortunately yes. We do everything we can to make the sport safe, but it’s still a full contact sport. We take safety and concussion protocols very seriously. We are thankful to our officials and coaches for helping us play safe.
General
Do you throw elbows and clothesline people?
It happens, but it’s rarely intentional. Clotheslines and elbows are actually illegal and can result in skaters being sent to the penalty box.
What are the rules of Derby? How does it work? How do you play a game without a ball?
The jammer scores points by passing opposing players. The person with the star on their helmet is basically the ball. Our About page covers the rules in more depth.
I watched Derby as a kid on Saturday mornings. Are the outcomes determined in advance, ala pro wrestling and the Harlem Globetrotters, or is it now legit competition?
We do not decide the outcome before the game. We are athletes and everyone is working hard to win for their team. The hits you see are real.