Beginner Referee Training Program

Welcome to the exciting world of roller derby refereeing! This four-week progressive training program is specifically designed for beginner referees. By the end, you'll be ready to confidently join the middle of the track!

Program Overview

This training program focuses on building foundational skills essential for roller derby referees, ensuring you are prepared for the dynamic nature of the sport.

Prerequisites

Before starting the program, make sure you have the following equipment:

• Skates
• Helmet
• Knee pads
• Elbow pads
• Wrist guards

Note: Safety is paramount. All referees must wear protective gear to minimize the risk of injury.

Schedule

• Classes: Mondays
• Time: 6 PM - 7 PM

Feel free to attend additional classes outside of the designated referee training sessions to further hone your skills. 

Training Goals

By the conclusion of this program, you will:

• Master essential skating skills for outside pack refereeing.
• Understand and execute whistle and hand signals for penalties.
• Develop effective communication skills crucial during games.

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction to Whistles and Basic Skating

Focus

• Learn various whistle signals 
• See Rules Page 32, Table 4 

  https://southsiderollerderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/InternationalRulesofRollerDerby_V3-4.pdf

• Hand signals and verbal ques while practicing keeping up with the pack 1 quarter of the track

  Learn by echoing middle of the track ref calls. Example if you here a yield warning, echo the warning. If you here a arms, elbow, for-arms call, echo the call and learn the hand signals that go with the calls. 

  https://southsiderollerderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AppendixB_CommunicationStandards_-1.pdf

• Skate forward around a quarter of the outside track while observing the pack.

• Prioritize awareness of the pack instead of focusing on your feet.

Skills to work on at home or during your free time on the track. 

• One knee falls
• One knee taps
• All 8 Wheels On The Floor 
• Strides 
• Plow stops
• T-stops
• T-stop drags
• Preview Week 2


Week 2: Transitions and Double Knee Falls

Skills

• Review Week 1 
• Double knee falls
• Transitions from forward to backward and vice versa while staying with the pack.
• Preview Week 3

Week 3: Making Calls and Penalties

Focus

• Reinforce skills from Weeks 1 and 2.
• This is the week to start calling your own warnings “yield” and “out of play” you will start practicing making calls. You will see warning and penalties the inside pack refs can not see so practice making the calls. 

Common Penalties To See On The Outside 

• Yield warnings
• Out of play warnings
• Back blocking
• Elbows, hands, and forearms penalties

Week 4: Review, Focus, and Endurance

Focus

• Comprehensive review of all learned skills.
• Emphasis on endurance and focus during gameplay.

Final Note

As you progress, you will begin your journey as an outside track referee. Once proficient, you'll graduate to the 7pm Women’s Scrimmage joining experienced referees like Dusty/Ref Snapper, Mike/Psycho Mic, and James/Sugar Bear.

Let the journey begin! 🛼✨