Shannon is the president of Atlanta Rollergirls.  She tells Plywood People a little bit about what makes her sport unique and why she loves it.

Jeff Shinabarger:  Can you break down the rules of how Roller Derby works?

Shannon Nowlan: For each team there are 3 Blockers, 1 Pivot, and 1 Jammer.  The game starts with the Blockers in a pack and the Jammers behind them.  The whistle blows once and the pack of Blockers takes off. When the last Blocker passes the pivot live, the whistle blows twice, and the Jammers take off.  The Jammers work to get through the pack of Blockers!  The first time through, the Jammers try to beat each other through the pack to become the “Lead Jammer.” Jammers don’t score on the first pass.  On subsequent passes, both of the Jammers can score points.  The Blockers block the opposing Jammer while simultaneously trying to get their Jammer through!

Point-scoring opportunity for both teams: Each game is divided into two 30-minute periods. Each period is divided into 2 minute “Jams.” Unlike other popular team sports, each individual Jam is an opportunity for both teams to score as many points as they can.

Clock-stops: In other popular team sports, the clock stops when one team scores. In roller derby, the clock only stops when a team or the officials call for a time out. There is a mandatory thirty seconds between each jam where the clock runs. If a team is missing players on the track after the thirty seconds expires, the refs start the jam and that team has to skate short!

Offense and Defense all at once:  In most Jams (with a few exceptions) both Jammers will attempt to move through the pack at the same time. Unlike other popular team sports, this requires that both teams simultaneously play offensively and defensively. Each team’s Blockers must work to help their own Jammer score points, while also trying to stop the other team’s Jammer from scoring.

Jeff:  Every player has a unique name. What is your unique name or character?

Shannon: My skate name is Deathskull. I was given this name about 15 years ago by the giver of names, grotte sausages. (It is a long story).  When I got involved in roller derby, it just fit so I took my nickname as my skate name.  One of my favorite parts of skating is hearing the announcers say my name when I am playing in a bout.  They have taken to saying my name in a similar manner to a lead singer of a death metal band.  I have had to tune them out in the past. If I don’t it makes me laugh too much.

Jeff:  Roller Derby is bringing great life to the women that are involved. Do you feel like this is addressing a social need in the lives of these women? How are they influenced?

Shannon: The Atlanta Roller Girls are a kind of sisterhood in which we all mostly, love each other. Our skaters vary greatly in personalities and occupations.  Some of our skaters are stay at home mothers, doctors, teachers, accountants, pastors, physical therapists, artists, and nurses, to list just a few.  We practice anywhere form 4 to 5 times a week, so we spend a lot of time together developing really strong relationships on and off the floor.

Personally, as a mother and a wife, I felt like I was always taking care of someone else and that I never did anything that was just for me. When I joined ARG, I realized that it filled that void of doing something for myself.  It satisfied that desire for the individual freedom I craved but didn’t interfere with or separate me from my family.  I have made some amazing and lasting friendships though ARG and look forward to continuing skating until my body won’t let me anymore.  ARG is a great outlet for any woman who wants an instant outlet for socializing.  We are a very welcoming and embracing group of women that love what we do on and off the track.

Jeff:  Tell us about the Roller Derby atmosphere. I hear that the games are one of the greatest experiences I will ever attend – tell us about it.

Shannon: Experiencing a roller derby bout as a spectator is similar to being a spectator at a hockey game, save the booing.  The crowd is usually really energetic and into the game and they are very vocal about it. The announcers get the crowd going and they never really stop.  When a jammer jukes around a blocker or a blocker takes down a jammer the crowd goes wild.  When a blocker makes a huge or an illegal hit and goes to the box, again the crowd goes wild. Our fans are really dedicated and love to cheer for their favorite players and teams.

As a new comer to the game, once you understand the rules, you will find yourself choosing a team to root for and join the rest of the crowd yelling and encouraging your chosen team. Honestly, the only way to truly understand how amazing attending a bout is to be there.  It really is a unique experience.

Jeff:  Why do you love this game? What would you want to share with others about Roller Derby?

Shannon: I love this game for so many reasons but the main reason is that it is amazingly fun.  When I am skating around the track and I can hear the announcers, the music, the crowd, I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else.   I want every one who attends an ARG bout to have an amazing experience that they want to repeat and share with others.  Most of all however, I want every woman to know that they can be strong and also beautiful at the same time.  I want them to know that through ARG they can make really great friends that they can knock down and then go have a beer with.  What else could a girl want?