Roller derby practice #2

June 15, 2012

I went back to roller derby practice Wednesday night. Jordan and I took all the kids with us. Other than that it was mostly the same as last time--I skated around the outside of the track (the derby track only takes up the middle of the rink) and hung out at the ends practicing T-stops and plow stops. I had a bit of a breakthrough with these, realizing that it's not only the placement of your feet but rather a change in your entire body's position that gets you to stop. One of the veteran skaters helped me with this and it made a big difference. I can still only stop when I'm going slow, though, and it takes a long time.

I'm still working on crossovers, which I will need to master in order to complete the 25 laps in 5 minutes. This is one of the many assessments one must pass in order to participate in a bout. I'm hoping to find a little time next practice to do 25 laps and see how long it takes me. That'll give me a starting point and I'll know how far I need to come.

I found a pair of skates, borrowed from the rink, that work for me and I'm hoping I can use them again next time. There is a small chance I could have my own skates by then anyway. We're having a yard sale Saturday and I'm hoping to make enough money to buy them! I also need knee pads. The ones I've borrowed are not very thick and because of this it's been hard for me to commit to falling on them over and over. In roller derby, falling--and falling correctly--is required! The best way to buy derby equipment is in a rookie package that some retailers put together at a discount for new skaters who need almost everything. Skates and skate accessories, possibly a set of outdoor wheels, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet. Getting the package also means spending more money all at once though. Luckily my birthday is coming up soon!

The only piece of equipment I have of my own right now is a mouth guard. The first one I had made it so I couldn't close my mouth or talk. Then I got a Protech Dent. Love it! Now I can protect my teeth during practice and communicate at the same time! Teeth protection won't be much of an issue until I start participating in drills with the team, but now I have it just in case.

Last time I spent a little while watching the experienced skaters skate in a pack and do drills that required precision as well as speed. I long to jump in and join them. I am not ready to do these; I'd be a danger to myself and others. Soon, though. Soon.

~Jenny Two Shoes~