Skills and drills for roller derby referees in training

[Bishop]

I can do it exactly as she does in the film, and at that speed, too .  It doing it at pack speed that's the problem.  I think it's just a lack of confidence at this point.

If you are considering skating backwards as an outside pack ref, be sure to read this thread.

Also, I'd be very surprised if certification required backwards break falls for a front-to-back transition at speed.  I mentioned a scenario recently where a very skilled skater from my league broke both of her wrists when she fell down when skating backwards.  It was at an open skate and she wasn't wearing safety equipment.  Even if you do wear safety equipment, you still shouldn't use your arms to absorb the impact when you fall or you could mess up your shoulder.  One thing that will help is to keep your knees bent like you would for a derby stance so that you have less distance to fall until you reach the ground.  

[Noah Tall]

I can do it exactly as she does in the film, and at that speed, too .  It doing it at pack speed that's the problem.  I think it's just a lack of confidence at this point.

If you are considering skating backwards as an outside pack ref, be sure to read this thread.

Also, I'd be very surprised if certification required being able to do a forwards to backwards transition on the outside of the track at "pack" speed (a fast pack, that is.)  However, I could see where they'd want to know how well you could do for the sake of measuring your overall skating skill.  I, and others on this forum, find skating backwards most useful as a front inside pack ref.  I skate backwards from time to time when jam reffing, but not often.  

See, the cert test doesn't say what speed, it just ranks your level of ability.  Well, I can do it, just not at high speed.  Every member of our league must be able to turn around and skate backwards, but we are not currently judged on our speed.  So, I just wonder what gets a low rank, and what gets a high rank?  Does it depend on league, is there a set WFTDA guideline?  I suppose it doesn't really matter, either I can do it or I can't .  If I can't, then I can always try again.  Right now, I suppose I need to work on shaving off those last couple of seconds from my 10 lap time

[Sintax]

Besides the squats, situps and planks, what off-skates training is best for helping with these skills?   

[Darkjester]

Box Drills, Dot Drills, Ladder Drills.. Endurance running. ( Cardio)

The box, dot, ladder drills will increase your foot agility, dexterity and balance which will crossover well into skating.

You can do a simple net search on any of those ( or probably even a youtube search) and find them as well.

[Cliquework]

New/Modified version of the 10'/20' guessing game:

Referencing Tootie's earlier post of guessing/betting on the distance between two skaters game via measuring tape, I have a modification.

I honor of college hoops I propose a bracket system, pitting pairs of refs together for a "bout" of distance guessing. Each bout can be arranged as you see fit: Single guess each, best 2 of 3, change distances guessed at, average the distances guessed, etc...

Educational Twist: The loser of each bracket moves on. Reflecting that the loser must guess again (next bracket). The loser needing the practice...

The game you don't want to "win". Pushes one to get better I suppose.

[Jazzy]

Its a simple Idea, but I feel its worth mentioning.  If you want to be a strong/good/awesome skater, you must skate.  As often as possible.  Don't leave your skates in the  trunk of your car or in  your gear bag only to pull them out for practice.  Skate all the time.  if you work/go to school near where you live skate there.  In the evening go out skating instead of watching the world burn in the news.

the point from above I believe is the most valid.  If youre not comfortable with your skating skillz you dont belong on the track.  If your thinking about moving your feets or trying to keep up, or thinking about managing a turn or how to wiggle around a downed player, youre not thinking about that elbow that was just thrown or that last track cut. 

So the point im trying to make, is skate all the time.  The only way to get good at something is to do it over and over and over.  Its even better to contantly skate with some one slightly or greatly better than you, that way you will constantly push your self to be as good as them.

[noidd]

The only way to get good at something is to do it over and over and over.

Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent.

Please make sure someone checks your skating form and gets you in good stead before you start drilling those movements deep into your brain matter.

The longer you practice something with poor form, the harder it is to correct it later.  Sadly, I speak from experience in this regard.

[Jazzy]

The only way to get good at something is to do it over and over and over.

Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent.

Please make sure someone checks your skating form and gets you in good stead before you start drilling those movements deep into your brain matter.

The longer you practice something with poor form, the harder it is to correct it later.  Sadly, I speak from experience in this regard.

Very good point.  I had a teacher that would always say "Perfect practice makes perfect."

But again I will mention skate often with some one that is better than you.  You will learn alot faster that way.

[Stegoscorus]

Also, if you're going to skate outdoors, get outdoor wheels!  For serious.  They will not only make it much more feasible for you to skate on outdoor surfaces, but you won't crud up your indoor wheels and thereby crud up your practice/bouting surfaces.

If you do have the opportunity to skate outdoors, do it though.  It takes more energy, and makes you stronger.

[Chubby Chase-Her]

We require all of our refs to go through rollergirl fresh meat training.  They must pass level 1 training in order to start their ref training (except in special circumstances.)

I think that the training received is essential in becoming a good ref.  Falls, crossovers, endurance, speed, CROSSOVERS, pushes, and even some whips (which I have gotten during a game) are all great things to have a good grasp on during a bout.

Something that we are working on in practices is giving a good and full penalty call at high speed.  I stand outside the outer ref lane and tell what the penalty is while they are going at top speed.  They then have to make the whistle and call while maintaining their speed and getting through any obstacles in the lane.

[Captain Gorgeous]

We require all of our refs to go through rollergirl fresh meat training.  They must pass level 1 training in order to start their ref training (except in special circumstances.)

I think that the training received is essential in becoming a good ref.  Falls, crossovers, endurance, speed, CROSSOVERS, pushes, and even some whips (which I have gotten during a game) are all great things to have a good grasp on during a bout.

Something that we are working on in practices is giving a good and full penalty call at high speed.  I stand outside the outer ref lane and tell what the penalty is while they are going at top speed.  They then have to make the whistle and call while maintaining their speed and getting through any obstacles in the lane.

Bone up on the league's insurance restrictions for co-ed contact during practice. Some carriers/policies don't allow it and could render coverage invalid. Though we all know supplemental insurance should never be primary coverage.