The Body Lock- my new best friend in derby

HI Maehym here, I think I am getting access to the SkateCourt Floor Blog so i can finally talk about skating again.

I joined DRD about 4 months ago and my newest and most useful skill is the "body lock", bare with me because this is a little tough to explain in this format.

What is a body lock?
SO a Body Lock is positioning yourself in a place where you are in COMPLETE control of your opponent. The physical position of the "Body Lock" is where your ass is under your opponent's ass and you use your torso and your shoulder to wrap and hold on to them until you can steer them out of bounds. Does that make sense? I feel like Im more effective doing this to the out side (locking on opponents left side and using your right side to lock and pushing/steering them to the left. As with anything in derby you want to be able to do this to the inside and the outside.

How to do the body Lock?
To define this movement, start by yourself offskates and sit in your derby(yes get low) position and now to a side oblique crunch to the left and then to the right. Do you see the dip/curve your torso makes between your armpit and the top of your hip bone. That will be what you are using to "lock" on your opponent. Now you have to position the lock a little more forward, so your torso is a little more diagonally so you can lock her body from back to front. In this position she can't go anywhere .

The approach
SO this is what puzzled me for a couple weeks but my teammates helped me out with it. There is NO SWOOPING in this movement!!! You almost want to "sneak up" behind you opponent and target the back  outside of their glut muscle with your leg. Think of it as "docking" on her.  You should be low enough to scoop your ass right under her's slights or at least get the top outside part of your leg engaged with the target zone of her outside upper glut. As you engage with your legs, lean forward and "wrap/crunch" with your torso around her, and for goodness sake- DO NOT ENGAGE OR USE YOUR FOREARM OR YOUR ELBOW. with complete physical control of your opponent you can steer/push her out to take her out of the equation.

Thats the brief summary or the Body Lock according to what I learned w DRD

Uses-steer opponent out of bounds, basic control and ultimately toss them off their skates but I am still working on that part.

Some tipe and things to keep in mind
-if she sees you and firms up, bounce lower and get under her further
-you are using your femur as a fulcrum, so depending on how long your femur is compared to hers you may have to adjust where you need to "dock"' onto her. For example, my femurs are mega long so if my opponent is smaller my knee may be closer or infront of hers.

To see "the bounce" please check out this video with my pal Isabelle Ringer
http://youtu.be/BZiziO7FgcI

Please email me RandiMaehym@SkateCourt.com and let me know your thoughts on this post or if I can make it clearer or if you have any questions

FUNdraising- ways to maximize your leagues rev in the off season

Hi everyone,(not finished with this post but you may want to use these ideas sooner rather than later)

I have been working with a couple teams on fundraising and sponsorship coaching and thought it would be a good idea to make some of this stuff a bit more public

Holiday Party for your fans and a chance to sell season tickets for 2012 and sponsorships
There is a couple way to do this, if you have your own space or your rent a time in a rink this could be perfect. The idea is to have a family friendly holiday party for you fans and a chance to sell (discounted) season tickets for 2012. Some ideas to make the party less expensive is to have your sponsors donate the food, you may even want to have a silent option. Also have your sponsorship committee ready to go and information at the ready. The goal of this event is to socailize and meet all of your fans and thank them for their support. If you have the party at your practice rink, ask the owners of they could give a discount for skate orders received during this time and a commission that could go to your leagues rent.


Help out charities while maintaining  ALL your ticket rev
So we work out butts  off to promote bouts but we also need to support the community around us. Some leagues do this by offering discounted tickets if you support the charity, I think I have found a what of "having our cake and eating it too". I propose instead of giving a discounted ticket rate, you should offer priority seating instead. Rope off the best seating in your venue(about 30%or so) and have boxes located (and a derby girl to monitor) at the beginning of the seating area for your fans to deposit the donations they have brought. Seats are still first come first serve, but those with donations get priority. You are still supporting your community but lets face it if you have 1500 fans coming to your event, and 30% of your fans(450 ppl) bring a donations and receive $2 off per ticket. That's $900 off just the door sales.If your league can afford this, awesome but don't feel like the only way you can support a charity is to donate money. You also might want to have the charity set up their own table to raise awareness of their cause. They can even have a raffle with their own prizes and keep that revenue.
Here are some ideas
Area Pet Shelters-Donations of pet food, toys, litter, leashes and other pet necessities
Food Bank-Donations of nonperishable food
Homeless Shelters-Donations of slightly used outerwear(coats, sweaters)
Battered Womens Shelters- Donations of old cell phones
Low-Income Schools- Donations of new school supplies

What can a SkateCourt do for your league?

Hola Maehym here,

SkateCourt may be the best investment your league could ever make. I know I am partial because I am the rep but I want to go through the numbers to explain my case.

Why go from rink to renting a bouting arena/facility? Portable flooring allows your league to skate in a facility larger than a rink whose capacity is between 300-500ppl at $10 a ticket equals $5,000 in gross ticket sales. With hard work on the promoting end, you can pack the venue with 2,000-5,000 fans at $10 a ticket equals $20,000 to $50,000.  It will cost more money to rent the venue, but even if the venue is $5,000 to $10,000 a bout(which is mega high btw). With 3-6 home bouts your team is well on its way to paying for the floor as well as being financially secure.

Renting out a venue means your league has more control over the residual income made at the bout?
My former league LowCountry Highrollers are one of the best in the country at sponsorship and bout production, this being a big reason.  When fans come to derby games, they are there not only to watch some derby but also to support your league. Residual bout income is not only merch but also anything else you team can come up with,
Some awesome ideas for residual bout income
-Fav Derby Girl Jars- take pics of all skaters(and refs too) and place the pics on the jars. Have the table set out in the entrance when all the fans come in and have the annoucer talk up the crowd to come and donate to your jar. At half time, the jars are counted. The skater with the most money in their jar is the king or queen of the bout. All the money goes back to the league, you may make $100-1000 but it is a really easy inexpensive way to fund more training or whatever your league may need.
-Half Time Contests- There are many ways to do this but the main focus is to get everyone involved. My fav idea for this is from Jersey Shore Roller Girls. It cost about $300 for the supplies but can make a bundle. Its called Chuck a Duck,  Your league orders about 200-500 rubber duckies from a party catalogue, number the ducks 1 through however many you have. You can have a party and have your league paint the ducks all crazy is you want to get saucey with it. At the bout, you will sell the duck one for $3 and two for $5. You also have a giant tarp that is painted  with a bulls-eye in the center. Roll the tarp out at half time, everyone comes and throws their ducks and the ducks closest to the target get a prize(that was donated by your sponsors). Its a way to keep the kids moving and tucker them out as well as make a lil money.
-Face Painting- self explanatory but at $5 a kids it starts adding up.
-Bake Sales during the bout-self explainatory, but $750-$1000 per bout is nothing to sneeze at

Larger venues mean you have more space to sell advertising and hang sponsorship banners
Your league now has more of a "sellable" appeal because your league is able to have 2,000 to 5,000 fans gather in one place. You have more to offer sponsors because now their company will be seen by more people.

Sell the floor space as advertising
WFTDA does is with Dr  Hauschka, you can get a large vinyl decal and has it as a perk for large sponsors like Pepsi or another company that has the $$$ to invest  in a fantastic revolutionary sport!!!

Rent the track out to other leagues
The floor normally leases or rents for $1,000-$2,000 per event/night and the renter pays for transport to and from where the floor is housed. If your league leases the floor out 20 times in 3 years, the renting fee has already paid for the floor.

SkateCourt holds its value well
Re-sale value of used floors is incredible and they hold up for 15-20yrs

How the FU&K does our league afford the SkateCourt in 1st place?
This one Im good at, I am a fundraising guru. Im actually going to school for this hehehehe.Please contact me directly and I will work with your league for fundraising,sponsorship and grant research. THIS IS WHAT I DO BEST besides skate. RandiMaehym@SkateCourt.com, call me anytime, only time not available is when Im on the track and Ill call you back.

Please contact me if you want more info. Heres a link to our site for technical info http://www.icecourt.com/skate_floor.html

Hugs,Slugs and DerbyLuv
Randi Maehym
Head of Sponsorship,Denver Roller Dolls
Roller derby rep for skateCourt

Big Hits dont win games, but I LUV BIG HITS

OK, Reality check time

So with the revolution of this game of ours has brought some of us to a revealtion,
Big hits are too risky, here's why
-to chase a big hit you leave your pack and your partner
-your more likely to go to the box, sometimes even clean big hits will land you in the sin bin for a min(not sayin it right just saying it happens)
-if you swing and miss, you've let the jammer sail by ya
-most times you need to accelerate prior to the hit increase the pack speed
-chances are even if you knock the jammer down, you're away from your pack and she is going to skate around ya
-you can screw up a strategy(the trap- if the girl is on the floor, shes not in play, so you have a split pack and have to rejoin, and your jammer will continue to get beat up)

BELIEVE ME, I love a sweet Juicy big hit, I dream about that shit, hell thats why I started to play derby. The reality is Roller Derby is game of control. My friend TranquLiza told me this when I just started skating, how right she was.

Roller derby is about being in control of
-Your mind
-Your body
-Your Skates
-Your pack
-The Opposing Jammer
-The Opposing Pack

This is one of the hardest lessons for me to learn but the Training &Recruiting Team with Denver Roller Dolls have done a great job in coaxing me into smart derby. We are nothing with out our packs!

Big Hits are still useful, but they need to be taken when
-the opportunity is right, dont chase it
-you are playing with your partner ie sit and hit
-your pack has an impenetrable wall up front and you're in the back with and opposing blocker and their jammer. Hit her out and have your whole pack run with you, carrying the other blocker.
-jammers-I love a big hit off the starting line!!! BUT DONT GO IN THE BOX

Im not getting any better-what the F*&k

Hi all,

So this is for the skater who feel like they are stuck in a rut and are not getting any better

This happens sometimes and you ask your coaches help you pin point the problem and they give you vague answers like agility,strength, awareness. I know this is frustrating but here are some things that help me "plateau-ing"

1. Check your skates-I know we cant all afford fancy new skates (including this girl) but there is some things that will drastically effect your agility and lateral motion.

                 your trucks-this is the rockstar part of your skates, its what your wheels are attached to. When you start learn to skate, they are really tight and the more comfortable you get on your skates, the more you can loosen them with a skate wrench. *If you have the Powerdyne Revenge plate, make sure they are not too loose(ie jingling), they are designed to "react" on their own and if they are too loose (ie jingling) they make get stuck in a certain position and  snap/break due to your weight on they. If you have good plates and bushings, they shouldn't jingle. This helps dramatically with lateral movement.

                 your bushings/cushions- these are the rubber circle things that are right under the nut when you are loosening your trucks. They are a cheap fix-$16 for a set of 8 and come in different degrees of "hardness" and slightly different shapes(conical or cylindrical). Depending on how "heavy" of a skater you are, I am 6ft and about 160 but I am on conical yellow cushions, they are pretty "hard/85A"

here is a link to Ivanna page for pic http://www.sincityskates.com/2nd/stuff/nuts.html. Your cushions/bushings should be replaced every 4-6months depending on how often you skate.

                  interior of your skates- the cushioning on the sole of your skates where your feet sit often gets worn out. It is preferable for your feet to "sit into" your skates and for the insole to mold to your feet. Easy fix is getting a cheap insole from Dr Scholls or any brand and cut them to the shape/size of your skate. These are pretty fancy ones-http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/productSearch.do?method=doProductDetailsLookup&searchArg=54#, but you get the idea. The snugger your feet are in your skate-the more control for have over them-the better you will play

                  Toestops-Check the height of them, if your have problems with your run-out, maybe make them longer. I am currently a big fan of the gumballs and the new moonwalkers, but any monster big toe stop will make you more comfortable to walk around, and run out on them.              

2. How many practices are you going to? If you only "just making league attendance", its your fault. Im sorry but thats the reality, if you are restricted due to other obligations like family and job stuff-Start working at on "dryland-offskates" drills, plyos, squats, core stuff. Put your outdoor wheels on and skate the park with the kids in strollers and on bikes. Even 30 squats a day will dramatically help you.
I love this video (cut and paste this link-http://youtu.be/2YY9oKap0R4) and have modeled my own workouts from it, especially the footwork stuff. Its only 3mins, These gals with Demolition Derby definitely know what they are doing. I do the footwork stuff when Im waiting in a public place like the airport, there are plenty of tiles to jump and hop on.

3. check your stance? Are you falling easily? If so you arent getting low enough, thats where the squats come in handy. YOU NEED THESE LEG AND ASS MUSCLES!!

4. Outdoor skating makes you stronger- its tougher but it makes you better

Any specific questions please email me randimaehym@skatecourt.com , if I dont know the answer I will find it out

Hugs,Slugs&derby Luv

Randi Maehym

You too can have superhero derby vision and awareness!!!!

Giant revelation at practice tonight!!!

As we all know roller derby has a lot to do with timing, gaging distance, and depth perception.

I have been working my ass off on my turn around transition for 3 months, soo now Im super comfortable transitioning from forward to backward and back again at pack speed.
*need help w this skill email me and Ill send you links and videos-randimaehym@skatecourt.com
Now I know why . . . .
Talking to some of my coaches tonight, I have been skating to the front of the pack, transitioning backwards, taking a mental picture of where everyone is, and then either communicating it to my rear blockers or targeting in accurately on the opposing jammer. Even when I am transitioning forward, I still keep my eyes on her, I usually turn forward when she is about 5ft from me.
The difference from this and having "your head on a swivel" is stereoscopic vision vs peripheral
stereoscopic vision-http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curriculum/VM8054/EYE/BINOCS.HTM

Its why most natural predators(like us, crocs, lions) have their eyes together facing forward, while large prey animals(elephants,rhinos, Wilda beasts) have their eyes on the sides of their heads. They can see motion but arent so good with judging distance. Hell yeah, watching Discovery Channel and National Geographic finally pay off!!!

Master your transitions!!! SO YOU TOO CAN HAVE SUPER PREDATORY ROLLER DERBY VISION

Hugs.Slugs, and Derby Luv
Randi Maehym
randimaehym@SkateCourt.com

Derby Decision making-things to remember in zee pack

Hi to all you super smart derby players, this entry is not for you

This is for the skater who sometimes but not all times gets outta sorts within the pack especially when her team is try to execute a strategy like this girl - big finger pointing at me

This game is not easy especially as a blocker in the pack, we are suppose to take giant hits, stop jammers, execute plays, figure out speed and time of pack and not to mention approaching jammers, whhaaaaa it will make you crazy.

I'm the kinda skater who hits 1st and asks questions later, this is not always good. I am having to re-train myself on situations and senarios. Yes it means you have to be pretty aware but you should be anyways, your playing derby not speedskating.
My teammates laugh at me because I am attempting to "idiot-proof" the game of derby for myself not because I'm normally an idiot outside of the track but sometimes on the floor I get a brain cramp.
Sooo back to basics
 What do you need?TIME You need to buy yourself a little time like 3 secs to sort some stuff out
  How do you do this? Run to the front inside line-this works because if the opposing jammer is close on your heels she is going to try and run along the inside line, and you are there to stop her

What you need to figure out in order of priority
Where is the opposing jammer?Obvious
Is this her 1st pass?If it is her 1st pass, this is your chance to wall,stall and/or hit. If it is her 2nd pass, DONT LOSE YOUR POINT! rush to the front and herd your teammates to do the same and don't let her take your points!!!ITS YOURS!
Where is my closest teammate and the remainder of my team?You need her to help you wall up, one blocker is fairly easy for a jammer to fly by, but two blockers!! you already out number her. If they are not close, chances are they have trapped someone and need you to drop back with them to gain majority and control of the pack.
Where is my jammer? Does she need your help?Can you help her without giving up your point or the inside line to the opposing jammer? If you can, DO IT, start beating down her obstacles by any means necessary. Chances are you are probably in the front of the opposing blockers, a "can opener hit" or a massive "death plough" should do the trick. the opposing blockers wont even see you coming because they are focused behind them on beating the snot out of your jammer. 
How fast is this pack going and why? If the other jammer is approaching, you know why you and your teammates are speeding the pack up, if your jammer is approaching, slow down, don't make her work even hard. Make sure you slow an opposing blocker down with you by any means necessary, hitting, death plough, the usual.

i know its still alot but the more you play the better you get! bottom line

I hope this helps any additions, tips or wanna chat derby or SkateCourt please email me randimaehym@skatecourt.com
*Once again, I am not a superstar derby player YET but I am working really hard these are tips I have figured out along the way
Hugs Slugs and Derby Luv
Randi Maehym     

Im having a bad practice-BULL SHIT

skater says "Im having a bad practice"
Okay, this is called EXCEPTING DEFEAT!!!!!!!
I hate it when skaters say this, oh really then take your skates off and stop wasting valuable floor space and our coach's time

Now if a skater was to say "I am having a rough start to practice, but I'm getting there"

Does everyone understand the difference?

as most of ya'll know Roller Derby is just as much a mental game as well as a physical game, some may even say more mental(like me but I am getting better at it). You have to approach practice and games with a positive attitude, this is one of your many jobs as a teammate.

Bad attitudes are like a disease- so if you are a new skater and the vet skaters all the sudden "just dip out" when your in mid conversation its probably something you said. Its so easy to get on the bandwagon about "how much the coach sucks" or "how much practice sucks" or "how my skates suck", it is up to you to change your outlook! These EXCUSES will always keep you from reaching your goals. It is your job to get better-no one is going to make you a better skater.

We all fight the mental up-hill battle trying to stay positive. this is one of the many challenges of roller derby, roller derby is a game of challenges- what separates us is what you are will to do to meet and triumph over these challenges-this will change and define you as a better person. Perseverance and determination will carry you further than the fanciest skates, so if you dont get something TRY AGAIN, and AGAIN, then look up some tips, then TRY AGAIN, find someone who does it better that you and get some guidance. YOU CAN DO IT

Hugs and Slugs
RandiMaehym

Nerves&Needles-Gameday then skating w possible new league

AHHHHHH, busy derby days. My league LCHR just bought the remainder of their track to be here prior to April 23 bout, so excited I will get to skate on it before I leave.

I am a relatively confident person for the most part and was a REALLY confident skater prior to ROLLER DERBY. Last season I was incredible humbled by the fact that derby is not as easy as just skating fast and turning left as speed skating is. I spent early last season making excuses to why I wasnt on rosters and all kinds of other "FUSS BOX" stuff. Late last season, I really started to fall in love with the game of derby not only the fact I was able to be on my skates. Our game MAKES me rise to the challenge! I have dedicated my body and soul to roller derby and it reflects through every aspect of me.

I have a game at 6om today, I have watched the other team footage, doing my last minute gear checks, packing my cooler w healthy snacks and watching somemore video of our opposing team. So heres the tough part, after I play, I need to come home finish packing and then Im leaving for Denver tomorrow morning at 5:25am!!!!! We are checking out our possible house on the river and I will be skating with the Denver Roller Dolls for 3 practices. OMG, i am sooo nervous, ummm THEY ARE INCREDIBLE, I am on the road to being awesome but what if they think I suck? ahhhh I just have to stay positive and know that I am always getting better but it starts within your head and radiates through my skating. Okay that sounds good, I am going to write that on my wrist guard.

ONe thing at a time, let go through my skatebag focus on the game, then focus on CO. oh shit, i need new socks, ahhhhhhhh. Ill run through my play book while im in walmart. that  works.

If ur in Denver, hit me up randimaehym@skatecourt.com be there until fri. I am always thankful for friends.
hugs and slugs
maehym

What I learned a derby boot-camp

I love roller derby! If you didn't catch that, and one of the things I love the most is the camaraderie between players that love the game and the sport no matter what team they are on. 15 or so of my teammates along with 30 players from around SC, NC and VA(hell yeah acid assassin) came together to attend Columbia Quad Squads Boot camp, and I am going to touch on the things that stood out the most in my mind.

Part 1-Jamming: This was lead by Graphic Illuskater and Crystal Cutt and focused on the importance of building a solid jammer skills set which included toe-stop starts and leaps, duck starts and a bunch of great agility stuff. My fav which is something I have been working on is the absorbtion and use of a hit. Of course you need to be aware as fuck(la-ti-da), but if you see a jammer coming from the corner of your eye, you twist your back to face them to draw propulsion from her hit.
Part 2-Hitting :) I love this one and it was lead by Holly Hunter, Chucktown Bruiser, and Truckstop. There was a bunch of stuff in this section that i could go on forever about but here are a couple things, the importance of stay really low for hitting (Im 6ft so I struggle with this), execute short hits and dont linger, and staggered derby stance. Staggered derby stance-thank you Truckstop. This rinky dink point is the reason I cant knock that chick over and that she is awesome. All of my fav blockers do this and I couldn't  figure out what the hell they were doing that I wasnt, but now I GOT IT!!!Instead of having your feet parallel in derby stance, you have one slightly infront of the other that will for more stability,

There was a bunch more in the bootcamp and they even gave us folders with all the info in it. So organized and awesome!! and they had a game that night. Thanks Quad Squad, its awesome being able to have the love of the game and teach your rival teams (which we are) and share what your good at. Anytime I get a chance to soak up anything derby I am sooo there. These girls are some of my local heros and I am so happy I attended.

I am playing 3/26 in Charleston, flying out to Denver 3/27 to check out our housing when we move along with skating with the teams there, flying back in 4/1 and driving 2 hrs to play in another game 4/2. Which I will still be Oxygen-pumped from the high altitude, so that should be interesting. Thanks for reading and I will keep my blog posted with all of my challenges and triumphs(which will be alot in the next couple months with the impending move), please keep tabs with me on my SkateCourt facebook, or Maggie Randi Maehym Cox fb page and please reach out to me if Im in your area. Im gonna need alot of support with all these changes and will need as much derby love as I can get, even for just a cup of tea and derby talk.

Hugs and Slugs,
Randi Maehym

Road to awesomeness!Lesson 1- shit skaters dont tell you

Okay, Im just gonna put this out to the derby universe. My pet peeve is working on a new move or figure out some way to do things and then other  skaters or coaches being like "Oh you didn't know that". You know what NO I didnt and I don't think you did either soo SHUT YOUR HOLE. This did not happen tonight I was just putting it out there.

Things blockers and others may not tell you
1. okay, keep your eye on the jammers but as soon as you turn away to look for them I'm gonna nail you.
to avoid this Always be in appropriate derby stance and  practice taking a "blindside hit". also learn how to gage the speed of both jammers off the line, like if you have a real fast girl hit hard and heavy before she gets there to clear the way and eliminating the blockers from being able to assist their jammer.
2. Sling shot areas of the track to be aware of- There are 2 points of a turn where the jammer can bait the pack to the outside and cut into the inside line.  BE AWARE of them, 1 is at the onset of the turn where she baits the pack to the outside and cuts to the apex of the INSIDE of the turn. 2 is when the pack is moving slower and you are getting your ass beat as a jammer, the pack is on the last 1/3 of the turn and you bait them to the far outside of the turn and shoot down the inside line.
3. Even if you hate if- YOU NEED TO JAM. I hate jamming and I was a speed skater for 15yrs, but the only way you stay up to speed with the best players on your team is to be as versatile as possible. Plus if you know how to jam, then you will be a better blocker.
4. Refs are not always right but the track is not the time to argue. 1 minute is excusable barely, 2 minutes cause of insubordination, you better just stay in there cause Im gonna beat your ass when you get out. Big douche bag move, keep you mouth shut and talk shit after the game.
5. Your falls are one of the most important safety skills in derby-I know its tough to get the hang of falling small but please remember this is for the safety of your teammates as well. I am a big girl and if I can fall small you can to. This snow angel shit in the middle of the track has got to stop.

Im sure I will come up with more of these as I go on but those were the ones that stuck out last night. Please remember when you read my blog I am by no means a superstar derby player (YET) but I am working my ass off to become awesome and have learned some of these lesson the hard way and am still learning everytime I put my skates on.

Im off to the gym and then to skate 8miles.

RandiMaehym
RandiMaehym@skateCourt.com

goal-being ridiculous on the track

Soo the more I have thought about how I wanna be a better skater, The more I have concluded that ridiculousness. My definition of ridiculous- pulling off the most insane footwork, jumps, and hits ever, but not going to the SIN BIN aka penalty box. I do suggest before attempting these goals, talk to your refs and head refs so they know whats coming because if you take them by surprise in a game, they will send you to the box even if its "technically legal". I have a pretty good relationship with my refs for this reason and the fact we cant skate without them. Last week I was nailing the "roll off" and the "roll around". The "roll-off", you are an outside blocker and and opposing blocker is attempting to hit you out of bounds= you absorb some of the hit with your left shoulder, use the momentum while going into a 360 turn (while picking up your feet through transition steps) and pretty much "rolling" around her using her back for balance. Not illegal because she intialized the hit, and you are just recovering. To do any rolls, you must master the transition steps!!! I am by no means a high level pro derby player, YET!! very exciting week for me, lots of outdoor skating and practicing, and I have kept my training journal up to date for at least a week (GO Maehym).
Jumping- if you are an awesome jumper, please email me how you train-randimaehym@skatecourt,com. I have been practicing but get freaked out about jumping over stuff (which is kinda the point). My legs are 4ft (no kiddin 4 real) and I can't tuck them in that fast. Any drills, tips, equipment, send my way randimaehym@skatecourt.com. I am going to try this "roll off" during scrimmage tonight and will keep my progress posted on this blog. Have an awesome day!!! and skate your heart out!!!
Hugs & Slugs
Randi Maehym

fully saturated in Roller Derby

Ok, so I missed my team captains and good friend DJ Pain's birthday party due to that fact of  4 SkateCourt inquiries coming to me while I was at my nephews birthday dinner.  I feel like a bit of a dud  having to go home and work on a Friday night but ultimately that is what will make me succeed not only with SkateCourt but with roller derby in general. I always pa-rouse facebook of some of my fav derby girls looking for inspiration, one of my favs is Krissy Crash. She always has a positive outlook and a perseverance that makes me wanna keep moving forward. Everytime I check her blog and see that she is getting up at 7 am running a boot camp am workout, running her Derbalife empire and being one of the top LA Derby Dolls, I set my alarm early and make sure my ass is at the gym in the am. I am currently spending close to 20 hrs a week on my training, thats a part-time job. Just staying focused and driven is a continual battle, but as with anything if you want it bad enough and are willing  to sacrifice for it nothing is impossible. Its just hard putting those priorities in check, Roller derby sustains me as who I am, as a creative and aggressive outlet. It also gives me the biggest headache, if I cant figure out a play or have problems executing a move, or am annoyed with my coaches, practice or teammates. It goes back to old school perseverance but at what point does the insanity rule apply. You know the "if you keep doing the same thing and expecting different results" you are insane. WHAT IS THE BALANCE????? How can something uplift and torment you all at the same time? am I the only one who feels this way? AHHHHHH -BTW gotham vs la tonight 10pm est, 7pm pst on DNN
randi maehym

frustrating

It hard looking for your own inspiration and guidance especially in such a new sport as well as with such a new league. My league is awesome , we are just growing at an exponential rate which is something I should be thankful for but become selfishly frustrated with. I have begun looking at other leagues training manuals to start practicing on my own, the only problem is there is no one to tell me if I am doing it right. My pet peeve is learning something the wrong way and having to adjust it. I just want to learning the right way.  The other problem is what are the credentials of coaches, is there a guide line for where they get there info or what is right and wrong. I also fall into a very strange body type category lets say gangley would be an appropriate, so many things don't work out for me the same way as other skaters but I can cover about 8 of the 10ft solo. When I started RollerDerby, I had the false sense of easy and now that I am 2 yrs in, I feel like I have only just begun my journey of studying the game and the culture for that matter. I crave new techniques and approaches, as well as scouring the rule book for loop holes. My entire life in roller derby, I have become consumed with ambition to be a great player. Now I just have to put more work into it, off to them gym and then to skate outdoors.
Hugs and Slugs Maehym

Students of the game

Oh how naive are the girls that join derby just to hit people, there is so much THINKING in that sticking pack!!!! I am working on being a jammer but due to my size (I am 6ft) and my leg span about 7-8ft on a good day I am normally a blocker. Some girls that skate with us get so caught up into which position they play they, ie pivot,1,2 or power 3 they forget the overall goal. It really doesnt matter what position you play, your overall goal is to stop the opposing jammer and aid to advance your own. In that order of priorities. So no matter what position you are assigned, these should be your goals. Awareness is always the key in the pack but its really hard for me to stay focused cause there is so much going on in that pack. I am starting to have night terrors of letting the opposing jammer sneak by. I think I have a roller derby problem, but at least my life caters to it. My broadband chip is f&*king up and I cant watch DNN, I am a little preturbed becuase that was the whole reason I bought the damn thing!!!!! I am hoping to skate the beach prior to practice, its such a beautiful day, cranking up my ipod and cruising a couple miles seems like a good idea. I love my life in hot pants!!!
Maehym

Getting it together

Yep, early start. very exciting, exciting day yesterday but I have to be super secret about it, but I believe the derby Gods are smiling around WA. Will keep blog up to date on the happenings. I am organizing an outdoor skate group with my team, mainly cause I need more skate time, and we are currently focusing on strategy moreso than a brute workout. I live around the beach so how upset can you be with skating the beach. Just got a lead from Texas AGAIN!!! you girls are rocking & rolling and Texas, might have to make a trip. Maehym's world wide derby tour, that shit is gonna happen. Just got invited to help the South Jersey girls with their bank track fundraiser, hell yeah Kickstart. I just need to send positivity out to the universe. I havea great life and an awesome team, our league president is one of the best. Hell yeah Attacka.
ttfn
maehym

IceCourt SkateCourt phones Day 1

Okay, so while my boss and his wife are out of town I am answering the business phone. Interesting day already, have a rapper on rollerskate, Robbie Love, Apparently it is difficult to skate on a moving stage/trailer. Awesome concept though, could in vision the complication. And have gotten a call about outdoor hockey flooring in SanDiego, I truly hope Tee and Nicholas will have internet access on the back of whichever elephant the are riding. Finally got my computer working again, ahhhh frustration. I think I may have a magnet field around me encourgaes electronics to f%^K on me. Had to cancel happy hour with my girl friend due to feeling like crap. Sorry MA, was really looking forward to it. On a postive note my zebra print hot pants came in at Mr Don's Shoe and Dance Store. I wish life was as easy as rollerskating,

Day 1 without boss in town

Hi all, My name is Randi Maehym and I work for SkateCourt. I am also in love with all aspects of roller derby it is my life. One of my best friends is Jamaica Pleasant aka Phantsama Gory and I skate for Lowcountry Highrollers. My boss Nicholas and his wife Tee are officially out of town!!! Party!! no I have to follow up with some of my clients- Rodster I am going to call you today, so pick. My blog will be my outlet for derby as if I need another one. Now off to post the site on facebook