Member of the Month: Motorbutt


by Sylvia’s Wrath

I’d like to say that we are spotlighting this month’s skater because of the alliterative allure; just think of the headline: May Member of the Month is…Motorbutt!! Mmmm….This fun figurative language adds literary luster to any written record. It’s a candy-coating on a conversation. An upgrade to an utterance. A….well, you get the point. 

But…we didn’t choose Motorbutt because of her conveniently lettered moniker, though we do love it! It’s actually about her work ethic, her tireless positivity, and her willingness to go above and beyond for her league and her teammates, that caused us to take this moment to offer an overwhelmingly heartfelt thank you. 

Thank you, Motor, for all of your hard work. For never taking the easy route, and for never stepping down from even the most difficult challenges. 

I had the opportunity to speak about Motor earlier this year when we introduced her as a 2020 Fight Club captain (Meet the Captains). You might think that a captain’s duties would be lessened by the disruption to the competitive season, but Motor is not one to take a break just because she “can.” Since we have been staying at home, she has continued to be a motivating force for our team, running virtual practices to keep us skating, and checking in with everyone to see how we are doing. 

This is Motor’s second time as Rocky Mountain’s Member of the Month, and with good reason. She has dedicated herself completely to this league since joining in 2013, giving her time and energy to volunteering, fundraising, playing, and just being an all-around amazing person. 

So…I’m just going to recap all that is awesome about this skater. Well, not “all,” because that would be a novel, and ain’t nobody got time for that! Here are a few highlights:

Motor served on the B.O.D of the league for 3 years. This is a time-consuming, conflict-ridden challenge at best, and a soul-sucking, thankless job at worst, and she did it. For THREE years! 

She has been captain of every team she has played on over the course of her derby career: the Red Riding Hoods, Project Mayhem, the Contenders, and most recently, Fight Club. And she does it well. 

When the league finally secured a new home, Motor put in countless hours working with contractors, the city, Denver Roller Derby (with whom we share the space), and anyone else involved in that endlessly challenging endeavor. She has been recognized by both leagues for her relentless efforts in making the Rollerdome our home. So much so, that it has been unofficially referred to as the “Kingdome” in her honor (her last name is King.) 

And now, with Covid closures and game/tournament cancellations, our new home is in danger. With no revenue from games, rent money is scarce. But Motor is not going to let her hard work be in vain. She has been behind the scenes since this started, seeking out ways to fund our league and make sure we still have a place to play when all this is over. These are just a few of the reasons that Rocky Mountain Rollergirls wanted to spotlight her this month. 

And I’m going to just add on a personal note here, so pardon me as I descend into fangirl territory…

Motor is so fucking cool. Ok? Like, SO. F**KING. COOL. She is one of the best people to share a hotel room with on travel trips. She is chill and flexible and knows how to have a good time (ask her about Hunk Oasis), but also knows when to reign it in. She says exactly what she thinks, even if it’s not a popular opinion, and somehow manages to make people smile, even when she is in complete disagreement with them. 

She loves the movie Labyrinth. She hits up all kinds of reggae shows. She is the funnest to go camping with. She checks in with you when you have a tough practice, or a bad game. She knows how to read a room. She is understated without being meek. She is someone who is so easy to be with, and makes you feel like you are easy to be with too (and trust me, some of us are not!) She is overall one of the best people I know, and I feel lucky to call her a teammate and a friend. 

So next time you see Motorbutt, give her a “socially distant” air-five and a big CONGRATULATIONS on being Rocky Mountain Rollergirls’ Member of the Month for her second time in the last 2 years! No one deserves it more! 

Rules Corner: Pack Definition and Destruction

The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) develops and publishes the rules of Flat Track Roller Derby in Française, Español, and Deutche. Please visit the entire 2020 Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby.

This month’s topic is all about Pack Definition and Destruction, which are covered in separate sections of the 2020 WFTDA rules (section 2 “Game Play” and 4.2 “Game Structure Penalties”)

Let’s talk about the Pack. The Pack has a major impact on game play as it defines the area in which Blockers may legally engage and defines a “trip” on which the Jammers can make points.

WHAT IS THE PACK?

The Pack is the largest group of in-bounds and upright Blockers in proximity and containing members from both teams.

In bounds means the only points at which the Skater is touching the floor are on or between the track boundary lines, except one arm or hand beyond the track boundary is not out of bounds.

An upright Skater is as Skater who is not down. A Skater is down when part of the Skater’s body or equipment (aside from skates) is touching the floor. One hand on the floor is not considered down.

Proximity means not more than 10 ft apart, as measured from the hips parallel to the inside track boundary (see graphic below), in front of or behind the nearest Pack Skater.

Note the Pack is defined only by Blockers, not Jammers. Additionally, Skaters who are penalized are considered no longer on the track and do not count for Pack definition.

No Pack means there is no group of in-bounds and upright Blockers from both teams skating within 10 ft of each other, or where there are two or more equally numbers groups of Blockers not skating within 10 ft of each other. (In other words, there can only be one Pack; if there are two groups of equal numbers of skaters from both teams that are more than 10 ft apart, the Pack is split.)

In a No Pack situation, Blockers may not give or receive blocks that have impact.

IS THE PACK THE SAME THING AS THE ENGAGEMENT ZONE?

No, but the Engagement Zone depends on the Pack. The Engagement Zone is the area of the track in which it is legal for Blockers to engage or be engaged. Engaging means any sort of interaction with another Skater, including blocks and assists. The Engagement Zone extends forward and backward 20 ft from the foremost and rearmost Pack Skaters, respectively.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE PACK?

All Blockers from both Teams must work to maintain a Pack.
If there is no Pack, Blockers from both Teams must act to reform the Pack. For Skaters in the rear, this includes stepping or skating in the counterclockwise direction. For Skaters in the front, this includes coasting, braking, or coming to a complete stop. If these immediate actions are not sufficient to reform the Pack, the Blockers must make additional effort. Blockers in the rear group must accelerate up to a sprint towards the front group until the Pack is reformed. Blockers in the front group must actively brake until they come to a complete stop, but they do not need to skate clockwise.

WHAT IS DESTRUCTION?

Intentionally destroying the Pack is called “Destruction” and is illegal. A Blocker may not make a sudden movement that destroys the Pack, such as skating backwards, intentionally skating out of bounds, or taking a knee. If the Pack is moving counterclockwise or stopped during a Jam, it is illegal for a Blocker to skate clockwise if doing so will destroy the Pack.

WHAT PENALTIES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PACK?

A Skating Official will define the pack by extending both arms and using their hands to indicate the front and back of the pack. If there is No Pack, the Skating Official will give a No Pack warning by raising both arms with elbows bent and forearms vertical.

A Skater who fails to attempt to reform the Pack after a No Pack warning will be given a Failure to Reform penalty.

Blockers who are outside of the Engagement Zone will be given an Out of Play warning with one arm held up with the elbow bent at 90 degrees. They will be issued a Failure to Return penalty if they do not immediately attempt to return to the Engagement Zone. Blockers ahead of the Engagement Zone are only compelled to skate clockwise to return to the Engagement Zone if the Pack is stopped or moving clockwise.

Any Blocker outside the Engagement Zone is out of play and cannot engage or be engaged. A Blocker who initiates a block or assist while out of play will receive an Out Of Play Block penalty. A Skater, including a Jammer, who initiates a block on an out-of-play opponent will also receive an Out Of Play Block penalty.

A Destruction penalty will be issued is a Blocker makes a sudden intentional movement that destroys the Pack. There is no warning before a Destruction call.

OK, BUT WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN IN GAMEPLAY?

The Pack is best understood through examples. The WFTDA Casebook includes some helpful scenarios, below.

First Scenario

In the image below, there is currently a Pack because there are Blockers from the White and Red Teams within 10 ft of each other. White Blocker 2 is not in the Pack but is in the Engagement Zone.

• Since White Pivot is defining the Pack, they will be penalized for Destruction if they make a sudden movement that destroys the Pack, such as skating backwards or taking a knee.

• If the Red wall skates forward (more than 10 ft ahead of White Pivot) while the White Blockers stand still, “No Pack” is declared. There is no penalty yet. Blockers from both Teams must act to reform the Pack. Red Blockers must coast or brake, including coming to a complete stop if necessary, to reform the Pack. White Blockers must step or skate in the clockwise direction, including accelerating up to a sprint if necessary.

Second Scenario

Red Jammer and White Pivot are skating in front of the Pack. Once they go more than 20 ft ahead of the Pack, they are outside the Engagement Zone. An Official gives an Out of Play warning to White Pivot.

• If White Pivot blocks Red Jammer, White Pivot receives and Out of Play Block penalty. They received an Out of Play warning and failed to immediately attempt to return to the Engagement Zone and blocked Red Jammer. Note that Red Jammer can legally counter-block.

• If Red Jammer initiates a separate and distinct block on White Pivot which causes impact on White Pivot, they will receive an Out of Play Block penalty.

Third Scenario

White Blockers form a four-person wall, blocking Red Jammer at the rear of the Pack when “No Pack” is declared.

• If one White Blocker skates forward to reform the Pack but does not do so for several seconds, the remaining three White Blockers are illegally continuing to block during a No Pack situation. One of the three White Blockers who was actively blocking Red Jammer should be penalized for illegal contact.

• If the Pack had been reformed immediately, no penalty should be issued.

• If all the White Blockers had been accelerating in an attempt to reform the Pack, no penalty should be issued, even if they did so while maintaining their wall and holding Red Jammer back.

By Ruth Slayed-Her Ginsberg


Pack is Here

by Harper Bizarre and Sylvia’s Wrath

Which “Pack is Here” Shirt Are You? 

Did you know Rocky is offering up a great new way to show your derby love? Our Pack is Here shirt design is available in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors. Read on to see which one will fit your needs! When you’re ready, head over to https://www.bonfire.com/pack-is-here/ and grab yours today! 50% of proceeds will be donated to The Denver Foundations Critical Needs Fund. (http://www.denverfoundation.org/Community/Impact-Areas/Critical-Needs) 

Arm Chair Quaranback (Baseball Tee)

There might not be any sports to watch right now, but that doesn’t stop you from yelling expletives to every newscaster on your TV or making do with old games on ESPN and NFL Network. With our “Pack is Here” baseball tee, you’ll be looking good when your drinking kickball league starts back up. (P.S. Could you take a minute to ask ESPN why they don’t play roller derby?) 

QuaranTeeny (Youth Tee) 

You’re a junior skater and can’t wait to show off your derby pride on THE tik toks or whatever the kids are doing these days. Maybe you’re not a skater. Maybe you’re not even a kid. Maybe you have an affinity for stuffed animals and dolls, and want them to be fashionable. Whatever, we don’t judge. Molly the Monkey will look great in one of these. 

QuaranDreamer (Comfort Colors Unisex Tee)

This comfy tee in a variety of groovy colors has you thinking about a better future for everyone. It’s the ideal accompaniment for delivering meals, sewing face masks, or creating uplifting art for the world. And when you’ve worn it to exhaustion, you can repurpose the super-soft material for your next creative, crafty project.

QuaranScreen Time (Pullover Hoodie) 

Whether you choose to cozy up with Tiger King or Love is Blind this snuggly hoodie will get you to the end of Netflix and beyond. You can also use the hood to hide the fact that you haven’t washed your hair in four days because you’ve been binge-watching 30 Rock, Parks & Rec, and The Office.

QuaranQueen (Slim-Fit Tee)

You put on your bra AND real pants every day, despite not leaving your house. Makeup? Check. Hair? Obviously. Sport this fitted tee with the rest of your on-trend ensemble. Quarantine, but make it fashion. You and your Insta posts will slay in the slim fit! YAS QUEEN! 

QuaranClean (Racerback Tank) 

Using this time to roll up your sleeves and get to work? Planning to scrub, polish, dust, and shine every inch of your domain? This is the perfect shirt for you. Because it has no sleeves! You can skip the first step!

QuaranScream (Premium Unisex Tee)

Are you shouting into the abyss? We sure are! This is the perfect tee for everyone who is staying at home indefinitely but holding on to the hope of seeing humanity in person again. Pro tip: The darker colors won’t show your isolation tears.

QuaranMachine (Unisex Tank)

If you are the master of the home workout this muscle tee is the perfect companion for today’s Zumba, tomorrow’s HIIT, and all your fitness goals. And even if you’re not, you’ll still look the part in this flattering muscle tank. Give everyone a ticket to the gun show!