This was how we once rolled
Today's game, especially in WFTDA, has significantly changed since the early days. During the Michi-chan era (2007~2010), we saw WFTDA go through version 2 through 4 of the rules. WFTDA would stop using version numbers in 2010. For the various independent leagues, such as Arizona Derby Dames, there was a fairly basic ruleset. Of course for Renegades, there was just some simple game parameters, but no penalties.
Some of the distinct rules that existed during this classic era included:
- Two whistle starts - Jams would start with a single blast of the whistle where the pack (the blockers and the pivots) would start, the jammers must remain behind their jammer line. Once the last pack skater crossed the pivot line, a signal of two short whistle blasts would start the two jammers. Two whistle starts were eliminated in WFTDA in 2013.
- Three 20-minute periods - When the original WFTDA rules were published in 2006, the game structure was three 20-minute periods. In 2007 (with version 2.1), bouts now had the option of doing two 30-minute periods instead. Early AZRD bouts played through mid-2008 had three periods. They, along with TRD would eventually move to two 30-minute periods. In AZDD Season 4 (2008), there were two 15-minute periods in order to accommodate double header bouts. The Derby Brats used 3 20-minute periods throughout this era.
- Jammerless Jams - If one jammer is already penalized and in the penalty box and the other jammer subsequently picks up a penalty to send them to the box, a jammerless jam can be declared as long as the original jammer in the box has more than 10 seconds left on their penalty and the jam would be called off. Both teams would reset with new jammers and skate short one blocker. However, if the original jammer had less than 10 seconds left on their penalty, the jam would continue with no jammers and then the original jammer can return to the jam and would otherwise be eligible to score. It was a general understanding that a bout could not end on a jammerless jam. If there is a jammerless jam at the conclusion of regulation play (and I did witness this happening at least once), an additional "overtime" jam would be started and would go to its natural conclusion. The Jammerless Jam was always the fun subject of derby drinking games. WFTDA would eliminate the jammerless jam with version 4.0 in April, 2009.
- Grand Slam - If one jammer completely laps the opposing jammer, they would score a additional point for each time one jammer laps the other. Refs would tap the top of their head several times to signal a grand slam point. The Grand Slam as we knew it, quietly left WFTDA in December, 2009.
- Always skating forward - The classic game always had a nice forward flow. This would all change in 2013 when WFTDA tolerated blockers stopping while not engaged in a block in order to set up. This would eventually lead to other defensive strategies that would change the optics of the WFTDA game forever and make it its own unique product. The USARS game would continue to embrace the "skating forward" optic found in the modern classic game.
Classic Renegade Rollergirls bouts were played with three 10-minute periods and 60-second jams that could be called off by a lead jammer. Renegades (at least in Arizona) did not wear helmet covers to indicate the jammers (one Arizona skater, Mayhemily did not even wear a helmet!). Renegade bouts during the Michi-chan era in Arizona were short track games.
The following leagues operated during the Michi-chan era (2007~2010) as well as other leagues that used to exist in Arizona:
This is our state. This is our derby.
