Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Watching video of yourself play

I found this video a coworker of mine took last summer at our bout against the ManchVegas Roller Girls.
0:17. Check me out passing three opposing players.
I'm awesome.
I used to think I was hot stuff in this video.  OK, to be fair, you have to love my jammer start (0:05).  A somewhat good start off the line (0:08).  And that's not a bad derby stance - I'm got pretty low when on my initial approach to the pack (0:13). I manage to sneak up the inside line, passing three MVRG players at once (including jammer) (0:17).

Then what happens?
Who's awesome now? :(
Instead of hauling ass and moving my feet, I start to coast. Then a three person wall of MVRG players gets in front of me. It looks like I am coasting from 0:20 to 0:34.... 14 seconds!  That's a long time in the grand scheme of a two minute jam.Finally, at about 0:34, I turn up my speed and break through the wall to earn lead jammer status (0:35). I think at this point, the opposing jammer is still trapped in the pack by Kitty, Pork Slap, Nymph, and Missy (continuously awesome, the whole jam).
My speed around the track to lap the pack isn't too bad. I think my stride is ok, but I think I've surely improved in the past year. It takes me about 20 seconds to reach the back of the pack.

Eventually I catch up and am able to pass the opposing blockers to score my points easily for the most part, after taking a bump or two.  I think I may have scored all four points.  At that point, I take a good hit and am knocked to the floor, at which point I decide to call off the jam.

In hindsight, I'm torn if this was the right opportunity to call off the jam.  As I am falling, you can see that the opposing jammer has finally broken through the pack for her initial pass - she had not made her scoring pass yet. It was conservative tactic -- perhaps I would've had to refight my way through the pack again, whilst the other jammer made her way around to make her first scoring pass.  Alternatively, I could've hopped back up, fought through the pack, caught the other jammer, and possibly scored again.


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Catching up on bout recaps: HoTRD vs ROC City 7/23/11

Last month the Hellions traveled to Rochester, NY for roller derby! Oh so I hear - I was on vacation.  Boo, I like Rochester - I was out there last year in May to scrimmage with them.

It was a close game, the final score was Hellions 85 / Roc City 89.  We may meet Roc City again this weekend at Empire Skate Showdown on Long Island.

Anyway, here's a couple photos for ya from Hispanic Attack's photoset on Facebook.

Warm up

Delinquent Dollie lapping the pack during warm up.

Pre-bout.

Kitty earning lead jammer, as called by The Constable.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Gearing up for Empire Skate Showdown Strikes Back 2011

In less than two weeks we'll be headed to Long Island to participate in the second annual New York State roller derby tournament, hosted by the Long Island Roller Rebels for the 2011 NYS Roller Derby Tournament: Empire Skate Showdown Strikes Back 2011. Empire Skate Showdown  will feature nine New York teams will duel it out over 17 thirty minute challenge bouts. In their first match of the day, the Hellions will take on the Hudson Valley Horrors.

Doors open at 10am at Skate Safe America, 182 Bethpage Sweet Hollow Road, Old Bethpage, NY. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Here's hoping we place better than we did last year. We've been training, and we're ready to kick some butt!

Here's some posts from last year about the first annual Empire Skate Showdown:

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Hellions on WRPI today

Deadlie Mercury, Shockratease, and Eloda Sarcasm are slated for the 1230 time slot on WRPI today. You can find WRPI on the FM dial at 91.5 or, you can listen at wrpi.org. Tune in!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Hellions out and about this weekend

Tonight we will be rocking Schenectady Art Night.  We'll have tickets to our upcoming bout, merch, and we'll even sign autographs if you ask! Stop by Proctors and say hell!

Saturday night we are holding a special event at the Albany VFW.  We are guest bartending to raise money to support our trip to Empire Skate Showdown in a couple weeks (more on that soon!!!)  Check out the event on Facebook. We're taking a bus down for the all day tournament, and that's gonna cost us a pretty penny (roller derby is pay-to-play, you know...)

We'll be serving drinks, selling merch and raffle tickets, and having all around good times.
Come down and hang out with your favorite roller girls and support our trip to NYS's Roller Derby Tournament: Empire Skate Showdown!

Albany VFW
525 Delaware Avenue
Albany, NY

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Next bout: Saturday August 27

I am shivering with anticipation!  The Boston B Party, of the Boston Derby Dames, is headed to our lil' city for a night of HoT derby action. The B Party, Boston's "B" level travel team is part of a league whose "A" team is ranked #6 in the East according to WFTDA 2011 Q2 Rankings.  Gulp. We are ready for the challenge!!

I've seen Boston play quite a few times and I know their girls are super fun.

Coming to the bout?  Say so on Facebook.
Buy your advance tickets here: tinyurl.com/bostonsmashparty
As always, look for our ad in next week's Metroland!

Guest post by Miss Ida: What is AFTDA?

Derby has its fair share of acronyms: HoTRD, CDTA, WFTDA, MRDA, NSO, LJ, JTO, etc
Miss Ida with CDTA skater Up End Atom.
Photo by Pete Rodriguez

It really goes on and on.

Announcing WFTDA Easterns 2010 with Rev Al Mighty of
Providence (Steel City vs. Charm City)
Sometimes it stands for a league's name like "HoT RD" is the Hellions of Troy Roller Derby. Sometimes it's a team like CDTA is the Capital District Trauma Authority (who skates under the league of Capital District Men's Roller Derby - CDMRD). It could also be a governing body like the WFTDA is the Women's Flat track Derby Association and MRDA is the Men's Roller Derby Association. Or it could be a certain type of official like a NSO is a Non Skating Official, those amazing people holding up the white boards and writing down important information on a clipboard. It could even be a specific move or status, LJ is Lead Jammer and JTO is Jammer Take Out, something most blockers strive for!

One acronym you might not be familiar with the AFTDA. Now, it looks pretty close to WFTDA and there is a reason for that. AFTDA stands for the Association of Flat Track Derby Announcers. Sadly not a lot of skaters even know such a thing exists...but we are hoping to change this!

Taken from the AFTDA Website:

If you have ever been to a flat track roller derby bout, watched one on TV or even caught one of the multiple on-line streams then chances are you've heard exceptional play by play, witty banter and a detailed explanation of the rules and strategy employed by the skaters on the track. If this is the case then you've heard an AFTDA Member hard at work. We are the sports broadcasters for the fastest growing sport in the world, Flat Track Roller Derby!
The members of the AFTDA strive to improve their knowledge of an ever changing game, increase their level of professionalism and ensure a good time is had by all. The AFTDA members are lovers of Roller Derby and their enthusiasm shines through in the voices you hear while at most sanctioned roller derby bouts. Certification tests have been developed to ensure that each announcer has a deep understanding of the rules, methods and hand signals employed during a roller derby bout. While they make it seem easy while on the mic, these announcers have dedicated their time and their efforts on bringing the highest level of play by play, sponsor marketing, crowd education and fan enjoyment possible to each and every bout.

Wait. Did that blurb up there say something about a test and rules? Oh yes! AFTDA members are the best of the best! We aren't just on the mic talking about pretty girls skating in circles.

We take this gig seriously.

AFTDA members are expected to know the most up to date WFTDA rule set. All 43 pages, including hand signals. It's a lot to know but if the announcer doesn't know it how are they going to explain it to you?

ECDX 2011 calling with Sashion Victim (Providence Roller
Derby vs. DC Rollergirls)
The certification test is given several times a year and mostly at large venue events, like the Big 5 Tournaments and the East Coast Derby Extravaganza put on bu the Philly Roller Girls every Summer (or as I like to call it: Roller Derby Summer Camp) ECDX is where I passed my certification test with a 98! I was pretty excited to say the least!

The AFTDA also has a Code of Conduct. You might be wondering why announcers would need a Code of Conduct for....Well, say you are a jammer and just reentered the track from the penalty box. Not one blocker has turned around to see you and all of a sudden the announcer calls out "Jammy McJammer is out of the box and about to pass through the pack!" Suddenly everyone turns around and sees her! D'oh! Not ok. This is a serious NO-NO in announcing and, conveniently enough, is addressed in the COC (another acronym). Derby announcing isn't like major league sports. Derby generally takes place in smaller venues and spectators and skaters alike can hear our announcing. The announcer’s job is to explain what just happened, not predict the future.

The AFTDA strives to make sure announcers do not:

  • give away jammer position
  • coach from the mic
  • talk about a strategy that a team is about to try


Good announcing should have nothing but a positive impact on the bout. Educate and entertain, that’s my motto. Bad announcing can get you punched at the after party!

The AFTDA has a Board of Directors (BOD, I told you there are tons of acronyms). the BOD is made up of our Regional Representatives including the Eastern Rep, Boston Derby Dames very own Pelvis Costello.

I have known Pelvis for quite some time now, and I have to say he is one of my AFTDA derby announcing heroes. He is very witty and I dare say the master of pop culture references. He is also very knowledgeable about the sport. He was so very understanding and patient with me as I learned the ropes at my first WFTDA Regionals last year.

Working with one of her annoucer idols, Mr.
Jake Steel of the LIRR at ESS 2010.
Another one of my AFTDA announcing heroes is Long Island's Jake Steel.  He has been with LIRR (Last one, I promise.) since they first started up. I am proud to say the majority of my clever derby lines come from this man. He single handedly wrangles all of the announcing for the Empire Skate Showdown, New York’s roller derby tournament. That’s a lot of work and don't think we don't appreciate you for it Mr. Steel!


I have a very long list of announcing heroes so I won't subject you to all of them. But please keep in mind the next time you are at a bout and there is a good announcer who is speaking clearly, explaining the rules, is witty and doesn’t piss off the skaters. That might not be your average run of the mill announcer calling that play by play. You might be in the presence of an AFTDA certified announcer!

See you track side!

Ida Feltersnatch
Certified AFTDA Announcer
Ida on AFTDA
Ida on Facebook

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Bout day reminders

Today is bout day! Coming to the bout? Here's some things you need to know:

Rollarama, our venue, is SUPER EASY to get to from Albany.  It's just a couple minutes off of I-90.  Should take you about 12 minutes to get there.  Here's the link to google maps: click me!


For the best (and most comfortable) seats in the house, bring a chair!
Don't forget to grab this week's Metroland for a coupon to our bout.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Coming to our bout tomorrow? Say so on Facebook.

I know you all already follow the Hellions on Facebook (and twitter too, right??).  Have you clicked "attending" on our bout invite?  Get information on our bout, leave a love note, and "share" the even to let your friends know you're coming!  Then invite them to come too!

Tomorrow's bout is located at Rollarama - 2710 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, NY.
Doors open at 6pm, whistle blows at 7pm.
Tickets:
$12 at the door
$3 for children age 12 and under

This is a rematch against the Garden State Rollergirls, who we played back in May (catch the recap here).  Will we be victorious again? Come cheer us on!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Bought my tickets to the 2011 WFTDA Championships

*deep breath*

I bought my 3-day pass to the 2011 WFTDA Championships - Continental Divide and Conquer.

I'm going to Denver in November.

Happily, my girl Ursula Udders is heading to the mile high city with me. Who else has plans to go?

The tournament will be held in the 6,500 seat 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, CO, the home of the Denver Roller Dolls.

I did some blogging about Nationals last year: my thoughts on Nationals 2009 in Philly, when I finally decided to go to Chicago (note: last year I didn't buy tickets until October), and then some pictures from the first day.

Next stop... plane tickets.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Next Hellions bout: Saturday August 6

I cannot believe it's August 1!  Smack in the middle of summer, I'm loving it.

Next weekend we take on the Garden State Rollergirls, who we also played down on their home turf back in May.  You can get tickets from brownpapertickets.com or message me and I can hook you up with $10 tickets.  There's also going to be a coupon in this week's Metroland on Thursday - so make sure to check that out!