Gotham Girls Roller Derby usually has one set of tryouts per year (sometime in the off season: November-January). The tryouts in 2008 for the 2009 season are coming up on December 6. Click here for more information about signing up. Also be sure to be on our mailing list so you hear about all of our announcements. Click here to sign up for the mailing list.

The best way to get ready for the tryouts is to come see us play, and then to skate, skate, and skate some more! The more comfortable you are on your skates, the faster you will pick up the game. See below for suggestions on what to work on.

While waiting for tryouts and while you practice your skating, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about being a GGRD skater:

Do I have to be a seasoned skater try out?
Don't be too scared by the term "tryouts." Being a derby girl is a lot more than just being a good skater; although we will primarily be looking for basic skating skills, we also look at your potential as a derby girl. Through the tryout and call back process, we try to get to know you AND look at your skating skills. We highly recommend taking a basic skating class from Lezly the Skate Guru. Many of us started out in his class and have found it very valuable. Go to http://www.skateguru.com for details.

Some of the things we will be looking for in tryouts are:

Basic skills:
Forward skating
Power stride (getting the most out of each push)
Gliding on one foot at a time
Crossovers
Balance
Squats

Derby Skills:
Skating low
Plow Stop
T-stop
Blocking strength

Endurance:
Number of laps in 2 minutes

Other:
Attitude
Basic knowledge of the sport
Ability to listen and apply new knowledge

What do I need when I tryout?
Every skater will be required to wear a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads and quad roller skates. We usually try to have gear to loan out to newbies, but everyone skates better in gear they are used to. We also highly encourage buying a mouth guard. They are usually around $2 at any sporting good store and are way cheaper then a whole new set of teeth.

For insurance purposes, you will be required to sign a waiver for tryouts. (It's a very standard waiver and when tryouts are near, we'll have lots of copies for you to look over and sign.)

I have 5 really perfect names picked out. Will I be put on a team and get a derby name as soon as I try out?
Skaters who are selected during tryouts will begin a three-month training period that culminates in a skills test and a written rules test. Once training is completed (and you've passed both tests) you'll be assigned to your team and you can claim your name and number. (See pictures of our past Derbytaunt Balls.) But remember: the sport is more than just a cool name and an awesome outfit. Worry about your name after you have the skating down pat.

I go to school and work, will I have enough time for roller derby?
Roller Derby is a big commitment: it's like a second (or third) job. You'll be expected to attend league practices for around two hours twice a week in addition to team practices which are about two hours once a week. In addition to practices, everyone is expected to help at bouts and other official events and fundraisers. We are a skater run organization, so don't forget about being on a committee and a few meetings! We're not telling you this to scare you, but we want to be honest: If the time commitment is too much, maybe being a skater isn't the right fit for you right now. There are lots of ways to join in: volunteer for bout set up and take down, join our awesome Jeerleaders, come to all our parties, and the list goes on and on! But despite the time commitment, any Derby Girl will tell you that it is totally worth it. And think of all the great people you'll meet!

I've seen the pictures of the injuries on the website and I'm worried. The game looks kind of dangerous.
Well, it's not croquet. It might be a little blunt, but we sometimes get injured. BUT we work really hard to prevent as many injuries as possible (by spending lots of time on how to skate safely) and we slow down and help everyone heal after games and injuries. As mentioned above, full protective gear is required for all skaters (and refs!) and we follow that rule strictly. Although primary health insurance is not currently required if you want to skate with us, every skater (and ref!) is covered under a roller sports insurance. This supplemental insurance is extremely affordable and is required. But, primary health insurance is still strongly recommended. We also recommend buying a supply of ice packs for after practice.

The action at the bouts is intense, but I’m not totally sure what's going on. Can you explain how Roller Derby is played?
Go here if need some clarification on the mechanics of the game.

If you have any other questions feel free to email them to us at ask@gothamgirlsrollerderby.com

Looking forward to seeing you out on the rink!