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
The life and times of Randi Maehym, roller derby girl working for SkateCourt, interacting with teams all over the country along with the challenges and triumphs of being in love with the game and culture of roller derby
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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
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
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