Zombie League

By Zero Cool

Every great journey has a beginning, and for many Fountain City players that journey begins with the Zombie league.  Some people call it a “Rec League” or compare it to “Junior Varsity”, but it is so much more than that.

Starting from a strictly technical stand point, the Zombie league provides an excellent foundation for skills.  During the season, Zombies work on basic technique and derby fundamentals.  The coaches help players broaden their knowledge of the sport through rules, training, and scrimmage.  Working on basic skills quickly gives way to learning more advanced abilities and strategies that can be directly applied to game play.  This style of progressive teaching helps to get skaters playing real derby, while not leaving others behind.

Zombie games are played at around 75%.  That means that the speed is roughly 75% as fast as the class 2 games.  The hits and blocks are about 75% of what a class 2 skater could dish out.  It’s no secret that roller derby is a contact sport.  “Playing down”, as it’s sometimes called, helps Zombie skaters learn to play the game, execute strategy, and still play the contact portion of the sport.  These games are a great way to get experience playing before diving into major games where the competition is a bit more intense.

For many Zombie players, there comes a day when they move up to class 2 and draft onto a house team.  When that happens, players tend to spend more time with their team than they do with other players.  But going through a Zombie season is like having a graduating class; no matter what team your classmates end up on, you will always have your Zombie friends.  You will always have that time you spent growing together that Zombie season.  While people in the league are generally nice, you and your Zombie class will always have that special connection.  Your Zombie classmates will see you at your best and at your worst, and you will see them at theirs.  And through it all, you will develop bonds that will last you throughout your derby career, no matter where that leads.

Whether your goal is to make new friends, try something new, check an item off the bucket list, or be the best derby player around, remember that being a Zombie is a really great place to start your journey.

Recruitment Email ICYMI

Hi!  Here is the copy of the Recruitment/Training Email that was sent out by Toucan.  If you have any questions, please message!

First off, I wanted to congratulate you on taking the first step to becoming involved with Fountain City Roller Derby, whether it be skating, officiating, or becoming a volunteer. We can't continue on without the people like you joining us, so we thank you for that!

Now, for a couple (well actually a lot) housekeeping items, since I know some of you don't have Facebook. 

First and foremost, our schedule for bootcamp, located at B&D South Skate Center at 13903 E S Noland Ct, Independence, MO 64055.

Tuesday September 4th: 9pm-1030pm- Week 1, Intro To Skating (derby stance, strides, single knee falls, double knee falls, one-legged glides, t-stops, etc). 

Tuesday September 11th AND 18th: 9pm-1030pm - Week 2, Edging basics. Edges are super important and necessary for you to get comfortable on, which is why there are two dates dedicated to it. (skis, figure 8s, cones, snowplow)

Tuesday September 25th: 9pm-1030pm -  Week 3, More Roller Derby Skills - stepping, toe stop work, hopping, jumping, baseball slides/single knee falls with turn, crossovers)

Tuesday October 2nd: 9pm- 1030pm - Week 4, Advanced Skating (side surfs, transitions, backwards skating, reverse toe stops, crossover breakdown)

Wednesday October 3rd: 8pm-10pm - Week 4

Tuesday October 9th: 9-1030pm - Week 5, Assists (pushes, hip assists, waitress assists)

Wednesday October 10th: 8-10pm - Week 5

Tuesday October 16th: 9-1030pm - Week 6 Pack Skills and Pacelines

Wednesday October 17th: 8-10pm - Week 6

Tuesday October 23rd: 9-1030pm - Week 7 Blocking

Wednesday October 24th: 8-10pm - Week 7

Tuesday October 30th: 9-1030pm - Week 8 REVIEW

Wednesday 31st: 8-10pm - Week 8 REVIEW

Tuesday November 6th: 9-1030pm - Week 9 REVIEW/DERBY 101 (rules review, basic game play)

Wednesday November 7th: 8-10pm - Week 9 REVIEW/DERBY 101

TESTING DATES:

Monday November 12th - 8-10pm

Tuesday November 13th - 9-1030pm

Wednesday November 14th - 8-10pm

Monday November 19th - 8-10pm

Tuesday November 20th - 9-1030pm

NEWBIE/DRAFT scrimmage: (this scrimmage is there for you to show the coaches of the house and coed teams your skills, and this can help them decide if they want you on their team)

Wednesday November 28th - 8-10pm

Now that the schedule is out of the way, here's some more details you might need to know:

Gear

While we have some gear available to you to borrow, we strongly encourage you to get your own as soon as possible. We are very low on helmets and wristguards, so those should be your first purchases. WE DO NOT HAVE MOUTHGUARDS for you to borrow, so please purchase your own before bootcamp starts. You will not be able to start without one. 

Link for sisu mouth guard, the most used one in derby (color does not matter): https://www.sisuguard.com/sisu-aero-mouth-guard/

Helmets - please make sure you purchase a helmet that has EPS foam in it. This is a multi-impact foam that will protect your noggin the best. Some of the most used helmets for newbies are S1 helmets: https://shop.s1helmets.com/lifer-21-23-5/ 

These helmets range from $55 to $70 depending on the color/finish. Another helmet that will work is the Triple 8 certified helmet. THE SWEATSAVER IS NOT MULTI-IMPACT APPROVED, BUY THE SWEATSAVER AT YOUR OWN RISK. https://triple8.com/product-category/derby/

For all the other gear, you have plenty of options. For saving money, Roller Derby Recyclables on Facebook has a lot of used gear options. You are more than welcome to message an admin about gear on that page to see if it is up to standards. 

Another option for buying gear is Bruised Boutique. They have some fresh meat packages at a very good price. http://bruisedboutique.com/onlinestore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=120&zenid=4o90fije4d37cqepjl9rtu9g52

The best option is to go see Snowcone at Derby4All KC. He runs a store at 619 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64064. I would definitely find the store on Facebook and message him to make sure he is going to be open. He is the only one who runs the store, and so sometimes he will be busy, even though the page says he is open. So always message!! This option is the best because he will let you try on gear (i wear small wrist guards and large kneepads) and boots, because a lot of skates are in European sizes, or men's sizes. 

Skates - you will have the opportunity to rent skates from the rink. However, these skates SUCK. You won't be able to try out much new things with them and they are not made for derby whatesoever. Please get new skates as soon as possible. 

Average price for each item:

Helmet: $40-80

Mouthguard: $20

Elbow pads: $20

Wristguards: $20

Kneepads: $40-120

Skates: $60-600 and beyond, depending on the skates you get. Shop around, don't be afraid to keep your mind open. Once you become more experienced, you can look into more expensive skates. 

Owners

Quad Squad takes care of dues and renting the rink out. They also help leadership in their roles, and they take care of complaints within the league. All four ladies on Quad Squad are busy bees. These people are: Kelley Johnson (Johnson) plays with Deadly Sirens, helps coach the Public Enemies, Addie Colon (Jalapeno Business/JB) plays with the Royal Pains and The Untouchables and coaches Zombie League, Cindy Beebe (One Hit Thunder) plays with the Deadly Sirens and The Untouchables and coaches the Zombie League, and Autumn Collier (Bitter Sweets) plays with Lovely Lethals and coaches Zombie league.

Their email is: contact@quadsquadllc.org for any questions, concerns, or dues questions. 

Bootcamp Lead

For this season, Angie Swartz (Mimi LeStrange) will be running bootcamp. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to reach out to her, or any veteran skater for that matter. 

Rules

You can find a list of the rules for MADE here: https://www.skatemade.org/rollerderbyrules 

Read them multiple times, watch footage at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvun9ofWiQzrfgAasKrISw and get familiar with how the rules work. You can also see how each team plays, and which team you want to be on. The more you understand the rules, the better your draft scrimmage will go, and you will be more likely drafted to the team you are secretly hoping to join!

How The League Works

We have four house women's teams comprised of skaters in Class 2 level or above. They include:

The Lovely Lethals 

The Deadly Sirens

The Royal Pains

The Shotgun Sheilas

Our 3 Co-ed teams hold all genders who skate at a Class 2 level or above:

The Usual Suspects

The Untouchables

The Public Enemies

Then we have a recreational Zombie league team. These are comprised of skates in a Class 3 level, or skaters who just want to play derby but not as competitively as house or coed teams! They still play games against other leagues, so as a Zombie league skater, you will still have plenty of opportunity to skate against other teams. 

Facebook Group

If you have not been added to the Facebook group "2019 FCRD Fresh Meat", then please friend request me (Abi Doty) and I will get you added to the group. In addition to being posted in the group, I will be sending out emails periodically to get those who don't have facebook are as caught up as possible. Again, if you have any questions, you can reach out to any FCRD member. 

Dues/Monthly Fees

As of right now, next years fees/monthly dues have no been voted on yet. Once they have been finalized, then we will let you all know as well! I would say to budget at least $40 (NOT AN OFFICIAL NUMBER, just a suggested budget) for dues, they could be more or less depending on what leadership decides. 

Time Commitment

Once you join a house team or coed team, it is required that you practice 8 hours a month to participate in that months bout. 

Derby Names/Numbers

Eventually, once you pass bootcamp, you will be able to pick your derby name! This name is something that represents your alter derby ego, and isn't too close to another player's name. You can do a play on your name (like one girl, Karla, picked her name as Pina Karlotta), a play on words (One Hit Thunder, Toucan Slam), or just something funny (a couple is named Business in the Front, the other is Party in the Back), but please keep your names family friendly (I think the raunchiest name we have is C U Next Tuesday). Quad Squad has every right to approve or deny your choice of name, so have one as backup! You have a long time until you cross that bridge, so don't rush it!

You will also be allowed to pick your number as long as someone in the league does not have that same number. 

Upcoming Bouts/Events 

Saturday August 25th at 6pm: Championship bout! The Lovely Lethals (pink team) vs. the Royal Pains (purple) at 6pm, the Zombie league (Black Plague vs. Gang Green) will be putting on an exhibition bout in between the championship games, and then the Public Enemies (red coed team) will play Benton County Roller Derby (visitors) at around 8pm. 

Saturday September 15th: Zombie League vs Maidens of Mayhem in Le Flore County, Oklahoma

Saturday September 29th at 6pm: CHAMPIONSHIP BOUTS! House team Shotgun Sheilas (black/red) will take on the Deadly Sirens (blue) for 1st place in the women's division. After this game, The Untouchables (navy blue coed) will be fighting with The Usual Suspects (orange coed) for 1st place in the coed division. 

For a little more in depth view of practices and events, once bootcamp starts you will have access to the league calendar, which will let you know when practices, events, and extracurricular activities are. 

Again, please let me know if you need anything or have any questions. If not, see you on September 4th!

Championship Series: Night One

By Park and Wreck  

Fountain City Roller Derby’s Championship series kicks off with a sizzle and a bang this Saturday night. It’s a special double header featuring both Woman’s and Co-ed derby, with a surprise expo bout from FCRD’s very own Zombie League!

First to take the track will be the Royal Pains taking on the Lovely Lethals. Both teams have fought long and hard to earn their place on the track, and at the end of the night one team will earn Third place and a lot of bragging rights. These strong contenders will leave you on the edge of your seats.

Though the Pains were edged out of the final champs game by the Deadly Sirens during the June Woman’s bout, they won’t give up their place on the podium easily. With hard hits and solid defensive walls, the Pains are a force to be reckoned with.

And fans won’t want to miss witnessing the Lovely Lethals speed around the track. The Lethals have had a great batch of rookies join their ranks this year, and they’re hard work and dedication has paid off. The strong front lines will be hard to penetrate, and those agile Jammers are almost too quick to catch. This game will showcase some great skill on both teams, so don’t be late!

 

Stick around to watch the Co-ed teams dominate, with special guests Benton County Roller Derby going up against the Public Enemies. These teams are full of talent and strength, and you’ll want a great view of this showdown.

The Public Enemies were knocked out of the champs running by the Untouchables during the July bout, but are revving to come out victorious and place Third. The Pubs have versatile pivots that lead the way for their quick offense.

Benton County will give the Pubs a run for their money with a roster of strong skaters and tons of awesome derby knowledge under their belts. It’s always a pleasure to watch these friends of the league take the track!

But that’s not all! During the half time break you’ll get to see a special expo bout featuring Fountain City’s up and coming skaters of the Zombie League! These ladies are fierce and learning derby at a fast pace. The Zombie League gives these budding athletes an opportunity to grow, and it’s split into two teams: The Black Plague and The Gang Green. Pick your favorite color, or favorite skater, and come show it off in support!

Doors open at 5:30 and the first whistle to start the action is at 6! Join us at B&D Skate Rink in Independence for an amazing night of fast paced derby!

Tickets are available at the door and it is Public Service workers night.  They will receive discounted tickets at the door.

Watching Game Footage

Watching derby footage is one of the best ways to learn the game!  Since, most of you, are just starting out in the derbs, it is important to watch the footage to get to the know the rules of derby. 
Fountain City Roller Derby currently skates under the M.A.D.E. Rule set, but dabbles in the WFTDA and USARS rule sets for travel team and mash up games.  Watching any type of derby makes you a better derby player.


Posted below are some of the recent Fountain City games, both open division and women's house teams. 


Take notes, ask questions, watch certain players, watch jams numerous times.  Post your questions on the FCRD Recruitment Boards.  There are members of the league that will watch derby footage with you and help you understand.  Just ask.  

Second Recruitment Night!

So! You've decided to give derby a chance! Our second recruitment night is just around the corner! What do you need and what do you need to know before you walk into the rink?

First and foremost you need to know that this is NOT a tryout. This is boot camp designed to teach people of all skill levels.  We will teach you everything you need to know from skating forward and falling safely to assisting and hitting each other on the track!

The schedule for the recruitment night will go like this:

8:00 pm  -- Meet and Greet!  Come meet some of our current skaters and leadership within the league.  Ask questions, get to know one another.  You will sign the waiver at this time.  All other "paperwork" will be done electronically this year!

8:30 pm -- Informational Meeting!  Learn about the league!  We will discuss the structure of the league, introduce you to Quad Squad, let you know about the types of teams, dues structure and training information.

9:00 pm -- Scrimmage time!  You will get to watch a thirty minute scrimmage!  There will be women's only and open division play.  There will be skaters around to answer questions.  The announcer will keep you informed and our refs will keep everything legal!

9:30 pm -- Open Skate!  If you have your own skates and gear, please bring it for open skate.  Rental skates will be available free of charge.  You do not have to skate, you can hang out and chat and get your questions answered.  There will be plenty of people around to help you out! 

I look forward to seeing everyone!  We are excited to have you!

Safety Gear

by Mojo GoGo

For the FCRD Training Session

For the training sessions beginning in September, there will be limited quantities of used equipment available for new skaters. If you have not yet purchased your own equipment, plan to come early to practices to find equipment that properly fits you. It is recommended that you have at least your own mouth guard for all practices.
B & D Skating Rink will be offering a Fresh Meat Package. 


Kansas City is v. lucky to have a Derby 4 All store that you can walk into and buy equipment. 

Before You Buy, Remember…

This is the only body you have, so you want to protect it as best you can! Accidents happen and sometimes even the best protective equipment can’t save you from injury, but good quality equipment will keep you on the track and in better shape than cheap stuff.  You can also buy a $20 mouth guard from a sporting goods store, but a $0.99 version from Walmart will work just as well. The trick at this point is to balance cost and quality.

Look around and see what the vets are wearing. Ask them about their experiences with different brands of equipment and to try things on if possible. What one person thinks is the perfect knee pad may not work for another. And because that is the case there are lots of swap / trade / for sale used sites for derby equipment. Do some research and then buy smart.


First, take stock of your body and physical condition. Are you young and relatively healthy or do you have a few off road miles of fun in your past? Do you bruise easily or does it take a Mack truck to make a mark? Do you have more than a couple of broken bones in your past? If so, you probably want to spend a little more on protective gear to start out.

Also remember that safety gear is not intended to last forever. Much of it will stretch over time, especially knee and elbow pads, so buying a size that does not fit snugly now will likely not serve you for long.

The Essentials

Photo Courtesy of KC Derby Digest

Helmet

First, the item that protects your most important asset: the helmet. You only have one head and science hasn’t figured out how to replace them yet so you need to keep yours in good shape. There are lots of different helmet styles out there, from cheap bicycle helmets to expensive hockey helmets. Don’t just assume that because it is sold as “safety equipment” it will meet your requirements for protective equipment. Skate helmets should meet the ASTM F1492 standard for multiple lower-impact “trick roller skating” use. Bike helmets are not typically sufficient as they are CPSC standard for single high-impact use. Some helmets, however, qualify for both standards. Take some time to ensure that your helmet meets the right standard.
As for fit, the helmet should come down over the front of your head and the chin strap should be snug and secure. Your helmet should not be too tight or too loose. If your helmet is pushed back off your brow it may slide out of the way when you fall, allowing your forehead, nose or mouth to hit the floor and be injured. The helmet should be no further than two fingers above your brow line.

Mouth Guard

Next, your mouth guard. If you have had extensive (and expensive) dental work, check with your dentist to see what they recommend you wear. Otherwise there are a variety of products on the market. You can get some from sporting goods stores that range in price from $10 – $60 with dental insurance for you should something happen to your teeth while you are wearing their product. Walmart has inexpensive ones in their sporting goods section that work just fine for most people. (And the upside of cheap is that you can afford more than one so you can keep a spare in your skate bag just in case.) One of the most popular brands for roller derby players is SISU, which is more expensive but comfortably small and perforated to avoid excess spit buildup.
No matter which mouth guard you choose, remember you have to form it to fit your mouth. Don’t expect to just take it out of the package and pop it in your mouth and have it fit comfortably.

Knee pads

Right now, if you are still trying to master crossovers you are probably thinking you want the most low profile kneepads you can find. But you would be wrong. You are going to fall on your knees. A lot. At every practice. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes by accident. Trust us, the more padding your knee pads have, the better protection they will offer you and the happier you will be after falling drills. A good rule of thumb is to pinch the padding in the center of the knee plate and not have it feel like your fingers are almost touching. That is a sign of too little padding. The more you weigh, the more important it is to have a good amount of padding to protect you when you fall.
Other things to consider are size and how they go on. Some pads slide over your feet and up your leg, while others have straps that Velcro around. Most have additional straps that fasten below the knee to keep them from sliding out of place. Ask around for recommendations and try on different brands if you can.

Elbow Pads

The same advice applies to elbow pads. Although we don’t purposely fall on our elbows, you want a reasonable amount of padding and plate to protect you for those unexpected times when you can’t avoid landing on them.

Wrist Guards

There are many different styles of wrist guard to choose from, so as long as they offer the proper protection, the rest is up to your personal preference. Some have a plastic guard held in place by 2 Velcro straps while others fully encase your wrist and offer thick plastic cups on the palm of your hands. There are a million other styles in between. The main thing is to make sure they fit you snugly and will keep your wrist from hyper-extending or allowing your wrist to break if you hit the floor. If the plastic flexes or you have too much wiggle room, they will not protect you when you need it. If you are smaller you may need to buy children’s sizes to get them to fit correctly.

Optional Gear

Knee Gaskets

If you’ve had knee issues in the past, you will probably want to invest in added protection there. Gaskets are worn under the regular knee pad, provide an additional layer of padding and compression, and help keep the knee pad from slipping.

Tailbone Pads

Ideally, a roller derby skater falls forward to make use of his/her knee pads, or chooses a side to fall on if falling backwards. A fall straight backwards can mean tailbone trauma. Skate suppliers offer protection for the tailbone in the form of a clip-on pad to the back of the shorts or a pair of padded shorts to wear underneath regular practice/game clothing.

Staying Hydrated

by Veruc Assault


It’s hot out there, and roller derby practice will work up a sweat! Make sure you are hydrated throughout practice as well as throughout the day so you can get the most out of your practice time.

Why Water is Important

• Water makes up over 50% of our body weight and 70-75% of our muscles. You cannot go a week without consuming water of some form.
• Water helps with digestion and absorption of minerals and nutrients in our body.
• Water helps maintain your body temperature.
• Water protects your vital organs.
• Without water your body can reach a state of dehydration. 

Ensuring You Are Drinking Enough Water

You should consume enough ounces of water per day to equal half of your body weight in pounds. This can be through liquids and food. Example: If you weigh 140 pounds, you should consume at least 70 ounces of water.
Signs of dehydration to watch for:

• Cramps
• Fatigue
• Increased heart rate
• Increased body temp
• Decreased muscular strength
• Slow reaction time
• Poor concentration
• Shortness of breath

In one hour of exercise, your body can lose up to one quart of water. So keep the fluids going during practice. Here is a simple guide on how to prevent dehydration:

• Drink 16-24 oz of water two hours before practice.
• Drink 8 oz during warm ups.
• Drink 6-12 oz every 15-20 minutes during practice.
• Drink 8 oz, 30 minutes after practice is over.

Your body weight should be the same before practice and after practice.

Resources

www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/water.html
www.eatright.org

The Basics: Derby stance

Fresh Meat Derby Stancing

What is Derby Stance?

Derby Stance: The basic body position that provides stability, speed, agility and power when playing roller derby.

Balance is crucial in roller derby! Bending your knees, tightening your core and keeping your head up are keys to balancing in derby stance.

How to Execute Derby Stance

• Squat down. Your feet and knees should be shoulder width apart, balancing your weight between your feet.
• Bend your knees to a 90-degree angle. They should be directly above your skates.
• Hold your back straight.
• Open your chest up, making sure your shoulders are pressed back.
• Your shoulders, knees, and toes should all lineup.
• Get LOW! Getting low will let your legs work as shock absorbers when you get hit and help stabilize your body.

Why Derby Stance is Amazing

• It’s harder to fall.
• If you do fall, you will most likely fall on your protected knees.
• You can skate faster.
• You can execute a proper crossover.

How can you practice derby stance at open skate?

Leg Burners

Start out by skating one lap at regular speed. Once that lap is completed, sprint half a lap (you don’t have to go incredibly fast, just enough that you will not stop while you are coasting). After you have sprinted half a lap, squat into proper derby stance position and coast half a lap maintaining derby stance and not lifting your skates off of the ground. After you have made it half a lap, sprint again for half a lap, then repeat derby stance for a half a lap. Continue doing this for a lap or two. You will figure out on your own why they are called leg burners. Remember to keep your hands at your sides to avoid supporting yourself with your arms.

Phase 2: While in derby stance, move your feet apart and together repeatedly without your wheels leaving the floor in order to continue to propel yourself while in derby stance instead of just coasting. We call these “watermelons,” and it requires using the muscles of your inner thighs and outer glutes to maintain speed. These muscles are extremely important in roller derby! See how far you can continue this stance without stopping or standing upright.

How to Practice Derby Stance at Home

Wall Sits

Sit with your back against the wall and your thighs parallel to the ground. Keeping your back flat against the wall, hold the position for 30-60 seconds, release and rest for 30 seconds, then repeat. Keep your hands at your sides! Though this is not exact derby stance (since your weight is leaning backward), it will work the leg muscles necessary for derby stance.

Plain Old Squats

Execute a derby stance, bending your knees to 90 degrees, keeping your feet and knees shoulder width apart and your hands at your sides. Hold for a moment and stand up again. Repeat for a set of 10. Repeat for 2-3 sets.

If you are uncertain if you are getting low enough, try using a chair. It should be at the proper height for you to sit in with your legs at 90 degrees. Perform your squats by standing 6 inches in front of the chair and barely touching the seat while squatting.

Common Mistakes

Are you actually getting low?

Many skaters will think that they are getting low, but they are actually bending at the waist instead of at the knees. Focus on getting your thighs close to parallel with the floor. Your back should not be!

The Difference Between Speed Skating and Derby Skating

People with speed skating experience will often revert to speed skating stance, bending over at the waist. This is fine for going fast, but once hitting is introduced, the skater will be less balanced to take a hit.

Knee Pain

If your knees start hurting and it feels like the knee cap is being pulled to the outside, it is because you aren’t getting low enough to engage the hamstrings properly so the three front muscles are pulling the cap out of place. You may not feel it is natural to bend more, but it actually helps to alleviate the pain.

Making the Most of Open Skates

by Veruc Assault


First off, awesome job for attending an Open Skate Session! The more time you spend on your skates, the more comfortable you will get on them!
When attending open skate, it is always a smart idea to wear your protective gear.
If you do not have gear at this time, take it easy! Some of the activities may be out of your comfort zone without proper protection, so work on getting comfortable rolling first and foremost. There will be plenty of time later for trick spins and jumps when you are geared up!
At open/session skates, the rinks provide games to entertain the skaters. A few of those games can actually help you practice your derby skills.

Red Light/Green Light

The object of this game is to listen to the caller, wait for them to call “Green Light,” skate fast! When the caller shouts “Red Light,” all movement must cease. The person to make it to the end of the rink first wins. This works on attentiveness, starts, stops, and falls. Use your toe stop runs to take off when “Green Light” is called. When “Red Light” is called you can use t-stops, plow stops or reverse toe stops. (All of these stops will be explained and taught during recruitment training!) However, the fastest way to stop is to practice one of your falls. Baseball slides and one knee falls work well with this game. Knee pads are really helpful, as no one wants bruised knees!

The Dice Game

The rink guard puts out four to six cones. Everyone starts skating in a counterclockwise direction when the music starts. When the music stops, you must find the nearest cone and stop! This is a great way to practice t-stops, plow stops, and reverse toe stops.

The Limbo

How low can you go?  You’ll have to bend those knees!

Cha Cha Slide/Hokey Pokey

Get out there and enjoy these with the kids! It will help you with stepping and lateral movements. Keep your head up while moving your feet from side to side. On the Cha Cha Slide you will work on your hopping on skates.

Speed Skate

The rink guard sets up two cones and splits the skaters by by age and/or gender. Then skaters are allowed to skate as fast as they can around the two cones for a song or two. This will test your endurance, and you will be able to practice your crossovers! Always try to catch up with the person in front of you. Keep going and don’t stop! You can do it!

Cautions

Always remember that there will be people around you. Some of those people are little and are using skate mates. Avoid them at all costs. You don’t want to plow into a small child. You also need to watch out for the people skating the opposite direction then they should be. Always follow the rink rules and listen to the floor guards.
Lastly, Friday nights are usually teen nights. They are very crowded. It is good practice for weaving and avoiding unexpected falling objects.