Easy! Fill out the interest form to get started. Check out our Events Page for upcoming Recruitment Information Sessions, where you can meet the team, ask questions, and see what roller derby is all about!

Nope! If you’re new to skating, we offer a Learn to Skate program where we teach you the basics before you move into derby training. Our 101 class is designed for complete beginners, while 201 and 301 are for more experienced skaters.

Absolutely! Roller derby needs referees, non-skating officials (NSOs), and volunteers to keep the game running. Whether you want to help officiate, manage events, or support the league behind the scenes, there’s a spot for you!

Skaters pay $30 per month in league dues, which help cover practice space and other league costs. However, we offer ways to reduce dues by volunteering on league committees, such as: Social Media & Marketing – Help spread the word about SCRD! Bout Production – Assist with planning and running game days. Social Events – Organize community events and team activities. Training & Coaching Support – Help new skaters learn and grow. Officials and volunteers participate for free—no dues required! Whether you’re skating or supporting behind the scenes, there’s a place for you in our derby family.

Anyone! We welcome skaters of all genders, backgrounds, and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned athlete, new to skating, or just looking to be part of the derby community, there’s a role for you—on or off skates!

It depends! Everyone learns at their own pace. Some skaters are ready in a few months, while others take longer. Our training program is designed to help you build skills safely so you can progress when you’re comfortable.

To get rolling, you’ll need: Quad skates Helmet Mouthguard Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards If you’re new, we have loaner gear available while you figure out what works best for you.

Our practice schedule varies based on skill level and takes place at the Largo Event Center (6340 126th Ave N, Largo, FL): 101 & 201 (Beginner & Intermediate Skaters) – Practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays 301 (Advanced Skaters) – Practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays Scrimmages – Held on Thursdays for skaters ready for game play. This schedule ensures that skaters build skills at a comfortable pace while getting plenty of time on wheels.

Nope! We’ll train you in the rules and how to officiate—no prior experience needed. Referees skate, while NSOs (Non-Skating Officials) do not, so there are plenty of ways to get involved even if you don’t want to be on wheels. For those interested in officiating on skates, we also offer training to help referees learn to skate and develop the skills needed to keep up with gameplay. Whether you're a seasoned skater or just starting out, we’ll help you get rolling!

There are so many ways to be part of the derby community! You can: Officiate – Be a referee (on skates) or a non-skating official (NSO) to track scores, penalties, and game flow. Help with events – Assist at bouts by working the door, selling merch, or setting up/breaking down. Join the league behind the scenes – We always need coaches, medics, announcers, marketers, and volunteers to help us grow!

A jam is a short, high-intensity round of play that lasts up to 1 minute. Each game consists of multiple jams, with skaters resetting between them.

The Lead Jammer (determined by who breaks through the pack first) can call off the jam early by tapping their hands on their hips. If they don’t call it off, the jam ends automatically after 1 minute.

A full game (or "bout") consists of four 15-minute quarters, totaling 60 minutes of play.

A bout is a full roller derby game! It consists of four 15-minute quarters where two teams battle it out to score the most points. Each bout is made up of multiple jams (short rounds of play lasting up to 1 minute). The team with the most points at the end wins the bout!

Each team has a Jammer (the skater with a star on their helmet) who earns points by lapping opposing skaters. After their first pass through the pack (which doesn’t score points), they earn one point for every opposing skater they legally pass.

The pack is the largest group of Blockers from both teams skating together in close proximity. It’s the core of gameplay, controlling the speed and strategy of each jam. Here’s why the pack is important: Blockers must stay within 20 feet of the pack to legally engage in contact with the opposite team. If the pack splits or disappears, skaters must reform immediately or risk penalties. Jammers rely on the pack’s movement and positioning to fight through and score points. Think of the pack as the engine of the game—if it breaks apart, everything changes!

In roller derby, helmet covers help identify key players on the track: The Star – The Jammer, the only skater who can score points for their team. They wear a helmet cover with two stars on it. The Stripe – The Pivot, a special type of Blocker who can take over as Jammer if the current Jammer passes them the star (this is called a Star Pass). If you see a skater handing off their star cover, it means they’re strategically switching Jammers mid-jam—which can be a game-changing move!

Each team fields 5 skaters per jam: 1 Jammer – The only player who can score points. Wears a star on their helmet. 4 Blockers – Play defense and offense simultaneously. One of these is the Pivot, a special Blocker with a stripe on their helmet who can take over as Jammer if the star is passed to them.

Nope! Each team must have a Jammer on the track (unless they are serving a penalty in the penalty box). If a team cannot field a Jammer due to penalties or injuries, they forfeit the game. However, if one Jammer is in the penalty box, the other team has a Power Jam, meaning they are the only team that can score points for the duration of the jam—giving them a huge advantage!

The first Jammer to break through the pack gets the Lead Jammer status. This gives them the strategic advantage of being able to call off the jam early to prevent the opposing Jammer from scoring.

They must serve time in the penalty box for one jam while their team plays short-handed. If a skater racks up 7 penalties, they are ejected from the game.

There are many penalties, but here are some of the most common: Arms – Using your hands, forearms, or elbows to push, grab, or block an opponent (blocking must be done with the torso or legal contact zones). Back Blocking – Hitting someone in the back. Low Blocking – Tripping or making contact below the knees. Cutting the Track – Going out of bounds and coming back in illegally to gain position. Illegal Blocking Zones – You can’t hit someone in the head, back, or below the knees. Roller derby is a full-contact sport, but all hits must be legal and controlled to keep the game safe and fair!

Nope—this isn’t hockey! Fighting results in immediate expulsion from the game and suspension from the tournament.

Yes! Sunshine City Roller Derby hosts regular bouts at the Largo Event Center in Largo, Florida. Check out our Events Page for upcoming games and ticket info!

Absolutely! We welcome skaters of all skill levels, genders, and backgrounds. Even if you’ve never skated before, we’ll teach you everything you need to know in our Learn to Skate 101 program. Plus, we always need officials and volunteers to help keep the game rolling! Visit our Join Page to learn more.

If you're used to watching or playing WFTDA flat track roller derby, you’ll notice some key differences when watching RDCL banked track rules in action. While both versions share the same core principles—Jammers score points by lapping Blockers, and strategy is key—the pace, penalties, and gameplay flow differ. Game & Jam Structure Jam length - RDCL jams last 1 minute, while WFTDA jams last up to 2 minutes unless called off. Minimum skaters - RDCL requires one pivot and one blocker on the track to start the jam. WFTDA requires one blocker. Break between Jams - RDCL allows up to 30 seconds, but can be shorten or lengthened at the discretion of the head referee if all skaters are ready, while WFTDA is 30 seconds. Period Structure - RDCL games are divided into four 15-minute quarters, while WFTDA plays two 30-minute halves. End of Scoring - Scoring ends on the 1st whistle in RDCL, while in WFTDA, it continues through the fourth whistle. Gameplay Differences No stopping or reverse skating in RDCL – Skaters must always move forward (no stopping or rolling backward like in WFTDA). Lead Jammer rules are different – In RDCL, the first Jammer to pass all Blockers (legally or not) is always the Lead Jammer. In WFTDA, lead status is more conditional and can be lost. Lead Jammer change - In RDCL, the Lead Jammer is the front most jammer, thus Lead status can change, which does not exist in WFTDA. Lead Jammer call-offs – In RDCL, Lead Jammers must be inbounds to call off a jam. If Lead Jammer goes out of bound, they must first reestablish themselves on the track (upright inbounds with 2 skates on the track). In WFTDA, they can call it off anywhere. Pack & Engagement Rules Pack proximity is tighter in RDCL – Skaters must stay within 5 feet of the nearest Blocker (compared to 10 feet in WFTDA). Pack destruction is handled differently – In WFTDA, breaking the pack is illegal and gets a “No Pack” warning. In RDCL, it’s legal, but skaters must reform the pack within 2 seconds. Penalty & Officiating Differences Serving penalty - RDCL penalties last for 1 jam, while WFTDA penalties are 30 seconds. Whistling for penalties - RDCL referees do not whistle for penalties during play; they track them and enforce them at the end of the jam. WFTDA refs whistle and signal penalties immediately. These rule variations make RDCL a faster, high-energy version of roller derby with fewer stoppages, constant motion, and quick turnaround between jams. Whether you're a fan or a skater, adapting to RDCL's style means embracing the speed, strategy, and chaos that come with banked track rules—even when played on a flat track!