Monday 23 May 2011

The 'NO MINORS' rules set: Yea or nay?

In case you missed it, at the beginning of April the WFTDA confirmed they would be testing a new rules system known as the ‘no minors’ rules set. Throughout the summer, teams from across the US will be participating in test bouts to see how these changes could impact upon the sport we know and love.

Like the current rules set, penalties will given based on impact. At the moment there are three impact levels: ‘no impact’, ‘minor impact’ and ‘major impact’. As its name suggests, the ‘no minors’ rules set would get rid of minor impact penalties. While some minor penalties would simply be ‘upgraded’ to ‘major impact’ penalties (and result in a minute in the penalty box), others would be called as ‘no impact’ and thus incur no penalty.

But what effect will this have on the game?

Critics argue that bringing in these new rules would result in sloppy, dangerous game play. The ‘no minors’ rules set, for example, determines that any use of elbows which doesn't directly result in an opposing skater losing position as ‘no impact’. Similarly, any back block which forces a skater off balance but does not cause them to lose their relative position is ‘no impact’. While these changes may come as a relief to many skaters, others argue that the changes would encourage careless play and increase injuries.

Yet, many of the changes seem to have been suggested with safety in mind. Some infractions currently classed as ‘minors’ would become major impact penalties under the new rules. This includes any clockwise engagement or blocks by stopped skaters, even if they do not result in loss of position.

Supporters of the new rules argue that they would create a faster paced and more exciting game (could roller derby be any more exciting?!)

The new rules would drastically reduce the amount of time jammers spend in the box and perhaps create higher-scoring games. In cases of false starts the jammer wouldn't be penalised unless they failed to yield to the opposing jammer. Similarly, the curiously-named tactic, ‘poodling’ (intentionally incurring a fourth minor by positioning oneself out of play when lining up), would become redundant. Unfortunately, this would result in fewer power jams, which in my opinion can be tactically very interesting.

All in all, it’s hard to say what the impact of the changes would be. It depends not only on the rules but on the strategies that teams will adopt in order to use them. If you’re interested in reading a more detailed analysis, WindyMan’s Roller Derby Notes provides an interesting discussion of the proposed changes.

Despite the hype surrounding the test bouts, there's been no official proposal to change the rules. According to the WFTDA,
The ‘no minors’ rules set was created for the sole purpose of ‘collect[ing] data for review’.

All changes to the rules must be voted on by member leagues and it is by no means certain that these changes will be adopted.

So far, only one bout has been played according to the test rules and this was closed to the public. The first public test bout will take place on 25 June 2011 when Charm City Roller Girls take on the Windy City Rollers.

Like many in the roller derby community, I can’t wait to see how it goes!


To find out more about MRD, check out our website: www.manchesterrollerderby.co.uk

1 comment:

  1. Hello! I came across roller derbies almost by accident -- I like the way it comes across in the Radio 4 documentary "Roller girls". I like the energy! And they explain about the names. Whoever chose the name Wollstonecraft is someone I'd like to hear from. I run the blog in honour of Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Mary. Perhaps she might even like to write about why she chose that name.

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