Devil Dog Derby Dames display determination

Photo By Sgt. Alyssa N. Gunton | The blockers from the Blitzkrieg Betties (green) form a wall to prevent the Machine Gun Mollies’ pivot (red) from clearing a path for the jammer to gain points. Mollies’ pivot, identified by a stripe down the center of her helmet, uses her hips to try to break the wall formed by the Betties. The Devil Dog Derby Dames roller derby league, which is made up of status of forces agreement personnel and service members, contended against each other to keep their competitive edge.  

TORII STATION, OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.25.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Alyssa N. Gunton 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

The Devil Dog Derby Dames roller derby league played its quarterly bout at the gymnasium here Sept. 24 to keep their competitive edge.

The league, which was created a year ago, is made up of status of forces agreement personnel and service members, and boasts two teams, the Machine Gun Mollies and the Blitzkrieg Betties.

The league has a month-long training evolution, called the “dog pound,” where participants learn proper sportsmanship and the safety rules of roller derby.

“The dog pound lasts about a month and trains the girls in roller derby,” said Alisa Helin, a skater for the Blitzkrieg Betties. “It starts with the basics of how to roller skate and teaches players the rules of the sport.”

Roller derby is a contact sport, so the rules must be followed or players can easily be hurt.

“We wear protective gear from head to toe,” said Erica Kelcinski, the assistant captain of the Blitzkrieg Betties. “We wear a helmet, mouth piece, elbow pads, gloves and knee pads to help prevent injuries.”

In addition to the protective gear, there are strict rules regarding good sportsmanship that keep the competitors playing fair.

“It’s a very aggressive sport,” said Nikki Hacker, the main pivot for the Machine Gun Mollies. “You can’t push opponents with your hands; you can only use your hips and shoulders, and it must come from the front.”

There are three different types of skaters, and all are identified by their helmets.

There is a jammer, who is identified by a star on her helmet. This player scores points by completing laps around the track. There are three blockers who form a wall, so the opposing team is unable to pass through. The pivot, identified by a stripe down the center of her helmet, clears the path for the jammer to get through the pack of blockers.

Even though the sport is naturally aggressive, the members of the league still operate as a family-oriented team.

“What happens on the rink stays on the rink,” said Hacker. “We are all very aggressive and competitive, but after the jams, we all hang out. It’s almost like a sisterhood.”

A “jam” is the term roller derby uses instead of game.

The newly established league plays every three months, using the off months in between to recover.

“(The derby) is a new concept on island,” said Kelcinski. “We are always looking for more girls to come out and join the team.”

For more information on the Devil Dog Derby Dames, visit devildogderbydames.com or look for the team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Devil-Dog-Derby-Dames/158946617476048

• Date Taken: 09.25.2011
• Date Posted: 09.28.2011 18:58
• Story ID: 77718
• Location: TORII STATION, OKINAWA, JP