Breaking up is hard to do!

Every summer here at GRD we take a wee hiatus to give ourselves time away from the hustle and bustle of regular derby life. Our league goes on break for two weeks to have time to rest, recover and remember what life is like outside of our normal training/game schedule. For some of us this is a pretty difficult task! Just how are we supposed to occupy our time without the routine and repetition of coached derby sessions? 

Never fear, here at the blog we've compiled a few articles from sites across the derbyverse to help us settle into our rest period.

  • Roller Derby Athletics' Booty Quake has an article on Off-Season Training which she wrote in 2012 and reposted late last year. BQ also provides loads of resources on her site including HIIT workouts, top tips for core strengthening and of course the RDA training programmes such as Pump Up Your Jam and StrideBuilder if you just can't bear to sit still!
  • Kat Selvocki of Flat Mat Yoga has some ideas for working on your mental game which can be practised any time; league break might be a great time to make this a new habit! Also, check out more of Flat Mat Yoga for resources and video programmes that can help with core, balance and more based on the principles of yoga and developed specifically for roller derby.  
  • Treble Maker is a UK roller derby athlete who blogs on her own experiences as a skater and coach. She provides tips, tricks, reviews and also offers workout videos to help you develop as a skater. This article on off-skates workouts provides some ideas for cross training, and this body balance article provides recommendations on how to stretch out and refocus your body to even up your movements. 
  • Derby Life have these oldie but goodie articles on what to during an off season. While we're only on a short break their advice for How To Survive the Off-Season and Off-Season Workout Playlist are perfect for keeping spirits high during a derby lull. 

With a little help from our friends we should be able to have a restful and productive league break. We'll be back relaxed, recharged and ready for action in July; watch this space for more information on our next games in August.

Until then (all together now!):  We're all going on a... SUMMER HOLIDAY! 

Game Report : Home Teams Season 7 {T-Wrecks vs Bad Omens; T-Wrecks vs Death Stars}

The last outing for our home teams was in November, so they were well overdue an airing on Saturday! The first event in this year's home teams calendar saw the T-Wrecks taking on last year's champions, the Bad Omens, followed by the Death Stars. Lightsabers were dusted off, dinosaur masks acquired and the Omens practised their best crow impressions - there's nothing like a bit of intraleague rivalry!

The poster for the Home Teams Season Opener - photos courtesy of Dave McAleavy.

The poster for the Home Teams Season Opener - photos courtesy of Dave McAleavy.

 

Game 1: Tyrannosaurus Wrecks vs Bad Omens

Taking to the track for the first time in a public game were Nitrojen for the T-Wrecks, and Katie Toerag, Sarah McGettigan, Spin Diesel and Tesla Recoil for the Bad Omens - they all did some spectacular things and we're proud of them all!

We were also glad to welcome some guest skaters from Ayrshire Roller Derby for the first game: Bambo and R2-Deck You, skating for the T-Wrecks. Also playing was the T-Wrecks' Rosalind Cracklin' who started fresh meat with GRD and now divides her time between Glasgow and Tel Aviv where she was integral to the set-up of their league!

Last year's winners the Bad Omens took an early lead, with the score at 18-23 in their favour after the first jam. They maintained their dominance until jam 4, when a fabulous effort from Sarah McMillan stacked on points for the T-Wrecks, resulting in a lead change ending the jam with the score 50-42. Six jams in, the T-Wrecks maintained their lead 69-46 and in jam 7 Bambo took full advantage of a power jam to take the score to 83-46 with up to three Bad Omens in the penalty box at various points during the jam. TW co-captain Jeneral Strike scored quickly in jam 9 and then called it, taking the scores to 91-46 and in jam 11 one of our newbies, Nitrojen, donned the star for a power jam and fought hard against tough opposition to squeeze out some points leaving the scores at 103-50. Shorty McLightning Pants jamming for the Bad Omens in jam 13 clearly did not suffer triskaidekaphobia and took lead jammer over Puma Thurman, got the points and called it to leave the half time score 107-70 to the T-Wrecks, despite a lovely spin noted by the commentators from Puma.

Tyrannosaurus Wrecks' guest Bambo showing off her jamming skills against the Bad Omens.

Tyrannosaurus Wrecks' guest Bambo showing off her jamming skills against the Bad Omens.

The second half opened with the Bad Omens trailing by 37 points, and both teams meant business with two Irn Bruisers squaring up on the jam line - Sarah McMillan for the T-Wrecks and Shorty McLightning Pants for the Bad Omens. Shorty quickly took lead but ended up in the penalty bin twice; McMillan capitalised and piled on the points with the jam ending 132-70. Two skaters making their track debut, Tesla Recoil and Nitrojen, faced off against each other in jam 3 with Nitro working hard to eventually get lead with Recoil sent to the bin alongside several T-Wrecks; the jam ended 162-71. Jam 5 saw another newbie, Spin Diesel, jamming but unfortunately getting a forearms penalty as she fought to pass the last blocker, leaving Strike to get lead and take the score to 187-74. Multiple Bad Omens spent time in the penalty box in jam 8 but Thurman made hard work of jamming for the dinos with Stargrazer taking lead for the Omens and calling the jam at 201-81. Following a quick ninth jam, the T-Wrecks called for a team timeout to discuss which of the Jurassic Park films were their favourite (Ed - I favour the original!)

Jam 10 saw some fresh blood lining up to jam with Penny Pinch'er for the Omens and Mad Natter for the T-Wrecks featuring on the jam line - 28 seconds later it was all over 205-85. One of our guests, R2-Deck You, took a jam against Shorty for number eleven; Shorty got lead and took advantage of it for an impressive thirty points, breaking the 100-point barrier - 205-115. The following jam started with Puma Thurman and Penny Pinch'er with the stars - Puma took lead and gained fifteen points while Penny passed the star to BO captain Janie Bones; the jam ended 220-115. Some malign Bad Omens influence made the next jam (number 13, again) the last one of the game and saw Spin Diesel against Rosalind Cracklin' (in hilarious niche feminist/science jokes, my note-taker for the game has documented this as Spin vs Watson & Crick).

Final score: T-Wrecks 220 - 135 Bad Omens

Thanks to the bench staff for all their support: Beav Aggressive as LUM/bench manager for Bad Omens, and LUM Maw Deuce with bench manager Submarine for T-Wrecks.

Awards:

T-Wrecks
Best Blocker: Cara Viola 823
Best Jammer: Nitrojen 97
MVP: Mad Natter 3

Bad Omens
Best Blocker: Sadie O'Hades 311
Best Jammer: Spin Diesel 55
MVP: Shorty McLightning Pants 03

Game 2 : Tyrannosaurus Wrecks vs Death Stars

After a short break, the T-Wrecks were lining up again to face the fresh-faced, well-rested Death Stars and their evil Sith powers. Sarah McGettigan and Spin Diesel switched from the Bad Omens to guest for the T-Wrecks and the Death Stars had Bad Manders, Five Star Sylk, Roller Dobby, Sin Binner and Stripey guesting from Mean City Roller Derby.

The Death Stars' talents are not restricted to skating; they possess some excellent cabaret skills too.

The Death Stars' talents are not restricted to skating; they possess some excellent cabaret skills too.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, Marshall Lawless started off behind the jam line with TW co-captain Jeneral Strike; Lawless took the Death Stars to an early lead in jam 1 which ended 4-5 in favour of the Empire. The power of the dark side was evident again in jam 2, with Bruise Missile taking lead over Sarah McGettigan and calling it at 4-13. The third jam ended 7-13, and Sarah McMillan put some primordial pressure on the DS in jam 4 against Stripey; 11-13. The Death Stars pulled further ahead in jam 4 which finished 13-18 but the tide turned in favour of prehistory in jam 5: with Five Star Sylk sent to the bin, McGettigan seized lead for the TW and took full advantage of the power jam; lead change 38-18. The T-Wrecks' other guest Spin Diesel jammed next, against Bruise, and both scored points, taking it to 53-23. McMillan demonstrated the dominance of an apex predator in jam 8, ending at 62-23.

Following an official review, Strike took on Bruise for a few points each: 66-27. In jam 10, Lawless came tantalisingly close to getting lead, but cut track and got sent to the penalty box leaving Spin free to take lead and score points - despite being accidentally blocked by her teammate Puma Thurman! 72-36. Another official review, which wasn't upheld, preceded jam 11 in which TW's Nitrojen was sent off and lead jammer Stripey was made to earn every last point, calling it at a palindromic 74-47. In jam 12, Sylk took the lead against McMillan - the crowd went wild, but she was only able to add one point to the Death Stars' total, leaving the scoreline 74-48. The following jam ended with no-one gaining points as Bruise took lead but was nearly overtaken by Strike forcing her to call it. Phoenix Fatale landed a punishing hit on McGettigan in jam 14; the latter was then taken backwards round the track by Lawless jamming for DS, leaving a lot of people uncertain as to where she should re-enter the track on her minus-one pass. The confusion ended with the half time score static at 74-48.

Though the T-Wrecks maintained their lead for much of the first half, everyone was well aware that this could still be anyone's game with only 26 points between the teams. One good jam could change it all! McGettigan took the first jam of the half for TW against Bruise and was quickly sent off for a penalty. Bruise made it through the pack for lead jammer status, just as McGettigan re-entered the track, but was sent straight back off for cutting. 74-63. The dinosaurs started to feel the nerves as jam 2 opened as a power jam for Lawless who easily took lead - the TW star was passed to Strike and the jam ended 82-79.

Another official review to keep the officials on their toes was followed by jam 3, with a cameo from DS captain Haberbashery wearing her team's star. She took the lead but was then sent to the bin for a penalty; Strike made the Death Stars pay in the power jam, which ended 97-80. Spin jammed in the fourth but was dominated by Sylk's defense, 110-101. Jam 5 was a power jam for McMillan who then cut track, leaving it open for Bruise to score an easy few for the Death Stars, but McMillan brought it back with an apex jump - 123-110. Sylk took the lead in jam 6 against Strike but called it quickly for zero points all round. McMillan faced guest skater Stripey in number seven and dominated for the dinosaurs, 133-112.

Jam 8 took a while to warm up, with Lawless jamming for the DS eventually taking lead, but she was then overtaken by Strike who managed to score a few. 143-117. Strike jammed again in the ninth against Sylk; the former ended up in the penalty box but Sylk struggled to make her pay and the jam ended 143-118. Jam 10 then saw Bruise sent off early on for a back block, leaving a power jam for Puma who struggled against some awesome defense and was knocked off the inside twice and taken back. An exasperated Puma star passed to TW co-captain Shona Mercy who managed to score some; the jam ended 148-126.

The Death Stars then called a team timeout, presumably to discuss whether or not the prequels should really be considered part of the Star Wars franchise or if we should just never talk about them again. The debate clearly re-energised Lawless, who blasted through the pack in jam 11 against McMillan, but was then contained by the T-Wrecks' defense and called it 157-135.

Not wanting to feel left out, the T-Wrecks called a team timeout to consider the relative evolutionary disadvantage of having such tiny arms but concluded that size isn't everything. The twelfth and final jam of the game pitted Lawless against infrequent jammer Cara Viola - Lawless made it through first, but with a no-pass-no-penalty, leaving Cara to take lead jammer and, once time had expired, call off the jam for a T-Wrecks victory!

Final score: T-Wrecks 157 - 143 Death Stars

They even just about managed to get all of the T-Wrecks in the same photo, without the use of a selfie stick! Just look how pleased they are at taking the win in both games.

They even just about managed to get all of the T-Wrecks in the same photo, without the use of a selfie stick! Just look how pleased they are at taking the win in both games.

Thanks to the bench staff for all their support: LUM Scara-Leigh and bench manager Trucks Norris for the Death Stars and the T-Wrecks bench staff unchanged from the first game.

Awards:

T-Wrecks
Best Blocker: Cara Viola 823
Best Jammer: Sarah McMillan 7
MVP: Jeneral Strike 789

Death Stars
Best Blocker: Phoenix Fatale 507
Best Jammer: Bruise Missile 77
MVP: Marshall Lawless 42

Thanks as always to everyone who made today possible - referees, non-skating officials, photographers, volunteers, stall holders, EMTs and everyone else. And to the crowd who came along and showed their support for all of the teams: it was a lovely atmosphere and we all had such a wonderful time!

If that's whetted your appetite for EVEN MORE ROLLER DERBY, then keep an eye on our Events Page for more info on some Edinburgh-based fun in early August or some home games at the end of the same month. And if you've picked a side in the eternal battle between the home teams then you've got until the end of June to take advantage of the 10% discount off the relevant merch in our online store - and why not treat yourself to other GRD goodness while you're there?!

For now, we're signing off for a well-earned fortnight of rest for the league - see you on the other side!

#ThrowbackThursday: Home Teams Season 1!

You're in for a treat this weekend: we're holding our first home teams games of the season on Saturday and you're all invited! The T-Wrecks will be lining up to face the Death Stars and the Bad Omens to see just what they can do with those tiny little arms against lightsabers and witchcraft. Tickets are £6 in advance from here or £8 on the door.

As we prepare to open our 2016 Home Teams season I thought it'd be a good time to look back to five years ago when it all began. At that time we had the Irn Bruisers and the Maiden Grrders and we did play some intraleague games too, but late in 2010 an idea formed; we wanted to have a public tournament to showcase our skills and get a little bit of competition going within the league.

There were three teams to begin with: Bad Omens, Death Stars and Hell's Belles. The Tyrannosaurus Wrecks first featured in the 2013 Home Teams season (it takes significantly longer to reanimate a dinosaur than it does to attract the attention of The Empire or to summon demons and witches apparently).

GRD's Bad Omens, Death Stars, Hell's Belles and Tyrannosaurus Wrecks - which one is your favourite?

GRD's Bad Omens, Death Stars, Hell's Belles and Tyrannosaurus Wrecks - which one is your favourite?

The first Home Teams season began on 19 February 2011, and the final was contested on May 7th. This saw the Death Stars facing up to the Bad Omens - they had both beaten the Hell's Belles and seemed evenly matched. It was difficult to predict whether the malevolent Sith powers would prove a match for some older women standing round a cauldron chanting about toil and trouble!

The poster for the first Home Teams Final, between the Death Stars and the Bad Omens, featuring Jess E Ska & Cara VIola.

The poster for the first Home Teams Final, between the Death Stars and the Bad Omens, featuring Jess E Ska & Cara VIola.

In the end the Dark Side was defeated and the misunderstood women took the win home in their oversized cooking pot to their cats: Death Stars 87 - 162 Bad Omens.

But that's only part of the story - it remains to be decided who won the skateouts! Check out the video below. Yes, there's a choir. Yes, a certain Sith lord and his henchmen make an appearance. Yes, it is absolutely brilliant! Come along on Saturday for more silliness and roller derby, and if you want to show your support for your favourite team then there's a discount in our online store until the end of the month on home teams merch: use the code GRDHOMETEAMS at the checkout. Pick up something else nice for yourself while you're in there!

Game Report: GRD vs Rainy City Roller Derby and Tiger Bay Brawlers

Phoenix takes on Laura Kemp during the Irn Bruisers vs Tiger Bay A team game. Photo courtesy of Roller Derby on Film.

Phoenix takes on Laura Kemp during the Irn Bruisers vs Tiger Bay A team game. 
Photo courtesy of Roller Derby on Film.

This weekend both the Maiden Grrders and Irn Bruisers travelled to Oldham to visit THE THUNDERDOME! We played three excellent (and very hot!) games of roller derby against fierce opponents Rainy City All Stars, Tiger Bay Brawlers A and Tiger Bay Brawlers B. The scores were as follows:

Rainy City 373 - 36 GRD Irn Bruisers
Tiger Bay B 360 - 96 GRD Maiden Grrders
Tiger Bay A 351 - 131 GRD Irn Bruisers

We had a great time and are so glad to have been able to play against such competitive leagues. Despite not winning any of our games we're proud of the strong performances our teams put forward and learned a lot. We're excited to see how our friends in Rainy and Tiger Bay progress over the coming months.!

Thanks to all involved in organising the Euro Weekender and to Rainy City for being fabulous hosts!

The Maidens' Nikki BlockHer Glory bursting through Tiger Bay B's defenses.Photo courtesy of Roller Derby On Film.

The Maidens' Nikki BlockHer Glory bursting through Tiger Bay B's defenses.
Photo courtesy of Roller Derby On Film.

Don't forget our Home Teams Season Opener is THIS WEEKEND! We've still got tickets available for £6 in advance for two games of roller derby (or £8 on the door). Come and see us strut our stuff on skates as the T-Wrecks take on the Bad Omens, shortly followed by the Death Stars doing battle against the T Wrecks. A full afternoon of dino-lightsaber-crowing fun, what a great way to spend a Saturday! 

Tips and Tricks for Team Travel

#TBT to ECDX 2013. Marshall Lawless was trying to cool off in the baking Brooklyn heat with some local kids and their conveniently broken fire hydrant. 

#TBT to ECDX 2013. Marshall Lawless was trying to cool off in the baking Brooklyn heat with some local kids and their conveniently broken fire hydrant. 

This weekend is going to be crammed full of delicious derby action with both our Bruisers and Maidens playing games down in Manchester as part of the Euro Weekender hosted by Rainy City Rollergirls. The line up is pretty special with four amazing games scheduled over two days:

Saturday 11th June
1pm - Rainy City vs Glasgow Roller Derby
3pm - Tiger Bay Brawlers B vs Glasgow Roller Derby B
5pm - Tiger Bay Brawlers A vs Glasgow Roller Derby A

Sunday 12th June
3pm - Rainy City vs Kallio Rolling Rainbow

While we are really excited to see and play our long time friends from Rainy and Tiger Bay, we know that trips away from home take some special preparation. Going away with a team is very different to most other adventures you might go on in your leisure time so we've gathered some tips from skaters and officials to make sure you can put your best skate forward when on the road. 

1. What's the absolutely critical item that you need to bring with you when travelling?
Siobhan Sinclair: My iPod and a book for the journey!
Candy Moho: Food (lots of), ipod and a copy of the rules.
Jeneral Strike: Book to read! then I can never be bored.
Cara Viola: A folder with all the information in it that I will need for my trip. Not an exciting answer but if I have all the info it keeps me calm.
Sarah McMillan: My bruisers lanyard from 2015, which has a card on it with a lot of really lovely things my teammates said about me; it reminds me that even if I don't feel good about my derby, others see differently! Thank goodness for team mates!!
Sadie O'Hades: Audiobooks on my mp3 player. My knitting! And I have a lucky hippo that my grandma gave me that always travels with me.

2. Front of the bus or back of the bus?
SS: Back usually.
CM: Front,
 in a seat by myself so I can be antisocial and spread myself out.
JS: Front.
CV: Front.
SM: Back of the bus, lying along all the seats ideally!
SOH: Don't really mind.

3. Sleep all the way or party bus? 
SS: Sleep most of the way usually!
CM: Sleep and eat.
JS: U
sually party, I like the distraction.
CV: 
Sleep
SM: Sleep!
SOH: Sleep or quiet things like read.

4. What about snacks or food or drinks, is there anything you always bring from home just in case?
SS: Always bring on the plane/bus a bottle of water, bottle of irn bru and a packet of mento (I LOVE mentos).
CM:
I bring all the food in case I can't find any vegan food (will usually always have a huge tub of pasta, snack bars and roasted nuts).
JS: 
I bring as many snacks as possible, I'm too tight fisted to want to buy much.
CV: These days its hydration tablets and Naked bars.
SM: So much! Soy creamer for coffee... Kale chips... Trek bars

SOH: TEABAGS. Megan Hyndman recommend this to me recently and she's very right, can't leave home without them. I also like to bring a nice filling sandwich in case I don't have time to find anything else. 

5. Any top tip or funny story you could pass on to reassure someone who's never travelled with a team before?
SS: Top tip: Travel with Cara Viola  and ALWAYS bring a jacket even if you think the weather will be warm (ahem Malmo..).
CM: Don't get drunk on the bus, it's a long way home.
JS: Hmm, I've not done it so much. Maybe look forward to getting to know your team mates better.
CV: If possible travel with a buddy or in a group. That way if something goes wrong then you can tackle the problem together. 

SM: We are so lucky to be involved in a sport that we get to travel to play; it's not a holiday, but you should be aware of how hard you've worked to get there and enjoy the experience!
SOH: Check out any travel connections you need to make before you go so you minimise confusion at important connections. Also, if you travel with a novelty suitcase that makes noises prepare to hear that A LOT before the end of your trip... On the Malmo trip one of our skaters had an R2D2 case that beeped and was super cute at the start but got very vocal as time went on!

6. What's the farthest you've travelled with your team?
SS: Malmo, Sweden and Nantes, France (Think they are similar distances away).
CM: Berlin, and Telford is probably the longest bus trip.
JS: Malmo, but we all travelled separately and met there, does that count? (Yes! - Ed.)
CV: 3,615 miles (Fort Wayne, IN)
SOH: Malmo, Sweden. Excited to find out where derby will take me in future.

7. What is the best derby-related trip you've ever been on? 
SS: Nantes with the Maidens in 2015! Was the funniest roller derby trip I have ever been on and as a brand new Maiden at the time I got fantastic tournament experience and the trip was a fantastic bonding experience for the entire team as we all stayed in the same place and hung out as a team the entire time! It was just AWESOME!!!!!
CM: Several spring to mind, London for Roll Britannia in 2009 cheering on GRD and ARRG when I was in GCRG, EROC is a good trip, and some good bootcamps.
JS: I've had a great time going to watch games- less nerves just the fun of a road trip!
CV: 
The first time the Bruisers went to the states to play at ECDX. It was a pretty big deal for us to travel this far and complete with American teams. It’s also a pretty awesome tournament.
SOH: My first derby trip was a really fun one. I travelled with the Maidens to Granite City long before I was bout ready myself. The bus was great, very fun and we even had ice cream and walked along the beach before we came home!

Kitty Slyde showing that good things can come in small handluggage on GRD's trip to Nantes in 2015. 

Kitty Slyde showing that good things can come in small handluggage on GRD's trip to Nantes in 2015. 

As you can see, everyone's got a different idea about what they need to bring and do for the best time while on the road, but what we all have in common is how much we love that our sport takes us to wonderful places. What do you think makes derby trips special? If you've any tips to share please leave them in comments section, we'd love to hear from you.

Disappointed you won't make it to see us in Manchester? Never fear, catch us on home turf next weekend instead. Tickets for our Home Teams Season Opener are on sale now for just £6 in advance!