Roller Derby 2013 Rule Quiz Sections 4-5

5.1.1 - Blocking is any movement on the track designed to knock the opponent down or out of bounds or to impede the opponent’s speed or movement through the pack. Blocking includes counter-blocking. Blocking need not include contact. Positional blocking is blocking without contact. A skater positioning their body in front of an opposing skater to impede the opposing skater’s movement on the track is positional blocking. Positional blocking need not be deliberate and/or intentional to be illegal, e.g. if the blocking skater is not aware of the Jammer’s position behind the blocking skater.

5.1.1.1 - Counter-blocking is any motion/movement toward an oncoming block by the receiving skater that is designed to counteract an opponent’s block. Counter-blocking is treated as blocking and held to the same standards and rules.

Group C is the pack as it is the largest group of Blockers skating in proximity and containing members of both teams.

• The two Blockers in Group B are not part of the pack because they are more than 10 feet (3 m) from the pack but are still considered in play as they are within 20 feet (6 m) of the pack. The Blockers are not in danger of an out of play penalty (see Section 6.10 - Out of Play Penalties).

• The two Blockers in Group A are considered out of play since they are more than 20 feet (6 m) from the nearest pack skater. Skaters in Group A may be warned they are out of play and will be penalized if they do not return to the Engagement Zone. If they block or assist, they will also receive out of play penalties (see Section 6.10 - Out of Play Penalties).

4.1.2.1 - Distances for determining the pack and the Engagement Zone are measured as the shortest distance parallel to the track boundary between skaters’ hips (see Glossary for “hips”).

The proper pre-jam positioning in roller derby involves having all blockers positioned in front of the jammers but behind the pivot line and in front of the jam line. This positioning allows the blockers to create a defensive wall to protect their jammer and impede the opposing team's jammer. Being in front of the jam line also ensures that the blockers are in the correct starting position for the jam to begin. Therefore, the statement is true.

5.1.1.2 - Only skaters who are in play (as defined in Section 4.3.2) may skate in front of an opposing skater to impede the opposing skater’s movement on the track. Positional blocking need not include contact.

4.1.2 - When two or more groups of Blockers equal in number are on the track, are more than 10 feet (3 m) from one another, and no single group meets the pack definition, no pack can be defined. Skaters will be issued a penalty for intentionally creating a no pack situation, or destroying the pack (see Section 6.10.2). Both teams are responsible for maintaining a legally defined pack. A skater or group of skaters is always responsible for the consequences of their actions. If their actions create a no pack situation (except those covered in Section 6.10.2.3), they should be penalized as directed in Sections 6.10.9–6.10.20.

4.3.4 - The Jammers may engage each other anywhere inside the track boundaries for the duration of the jam. When a Jammer is outside of the Engagement Zone the Jammer may only engage the opposing Jammer (see Section 6.10.3).

5.1.2 - The skater who makes contact with a target zone of an opponent is considered the initiator of the block. The initiator of the block is always responsible for the legality of their contact.

4.3.3.2 - A Blocker who is out of play must re-enter the Engagement Zone in the opposite way that Blocker left.

4.3.3.2.1 - If the Blocker exited the front of the Engagement Zone, that Blocker must drop back to be considered in play.

4.3.3.2.2 - To regain position in the pack after having fallen behind, a Blocker must return to the back of the pack by skating within the track boundaries to be considered back in play.

4.3.3.2.3 - Any Blocker who re-enters the Engagement Zone in an illegal manner, such as lapping the pack or being lapped by the pack, is subject to penalties (see Section 6.10.14 and Section 6.10.15).

4.1.1 - The pack is defined by the largest group of in bounds Blockers skating or standing in proximity and containing members from both teams.

4.1.1.1 - The pack is comprised of the Blockers. The Jammers are not part of the pack.

4.1.1.2 - Proximity is defined as not more than 10 feet (3 m) (as measured from the hips) in front of or behind the nearest pack skater.

4.1.1.3 - In order to form a pack, a team must have at least one Blocker on the track at all times.

4.3.3.1 - A Blocker who is more than 20 feet (6 m) in front of or behind the pack MAY receive an out of play warning by a referee. However, a referee is NOT required to issue a warning prior to giving a penalty. Once out of play, a Blocker must yield the right of way to the opposing Jammer by physically moving out of the Jammer’s path. Any engagement, including passive/positional blocking, can result in a penalty (see Section 6.10 - Out of Play Penalties).

4.4.2 - Jammers may not be accelerating at the jam-starting whistle. They are, however, permitted to be moving, coasting, or braking.

4.2.5 - Blockers may line up in any order behind the Pivots.

5.1.4.3 - Skaters must have at LEAST one skate on the floor when executing a block

4.2.3 - Non-Pivot Blocker starting positions: Blockers line up behind the Pivots as demarked by the hips. If a Pivot is not upright and on the Pivot Line, non-Pivot Blockers are not required to line up behind that Pivot.

5.1.1.3 - Only skaters who are stepping and/or skating in the counter-clockwise direction may execute a block. It is illegal to block while at a standstill and while moving in the clockwise direction. This includes positional blocking.

5.1.1.4 - It is legal to block skaters who are standing on the track.

5.1.1.5 - It is legal to block skaters who are skating and/or stepping clockwise or counter-clockwise on the track.
5.1.4.4 - Skaters may not execute a block on an opponent who is down, falling, or getting up after a fall. Skaters are considered down if they have fallen, been knocked to the ground, have either or both knees on the ground, or have both hands on the ground. After going down or falling, a skater is considered down until the skater is standing, stepping, and/or skating. Stationary standing skaters are not considered down.

4.2.1.1.1 - It is required that the majority of on the track Blockers from each team begin in this pre-jam positioning. A major Illegal Procedure false start penalty will be assessed to the Pivot in that jam of the team(s) that did not field enough Blockers in proper pre-jam position (see Section 6.13.37).

Refere to section 5.3 Blocking Zone Diagrams in your WFTDA rule book

Refer to section 5.3 diagram 2 in your WFTDA rule book

6.8.11 - There is no penalty for blocking a skater who has jumped off both skates and left contact with the track from in bounds