The commute to practice is exactly 30 mins. So I've been able to polish off entire novels, meeting my 1 book a month goal that I set for myself even before Hannah was born. Tonight was my last practice as a new skater and I find out in a mere few hours if I will be drafted to join Texas Rollergirls. The book played, but I don't remember a single event that happened. My mind was just replaying moments from practice, really throughout the whole process.
If I don't make it, I totally would understand. There's other opportunities for derby in Austin and I can grow there.
But if I do make it, holly cow! To be able to skate with and learn from the best in the world, would totally knock my socks off. Every practice I see these athletic women doing amazing things with their bodies and it's always so inspiring!
All day my stomach has been doing flips the moment I think any derby thoughts. As I left practice, knowing that my derby career for the next few month was already predetermined (apparently the draft happened before tonight's practice) I sighed a breath of relief.
News to follow!
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Team Practice with the Hearts
Tonight I practiced with the Heartbreakers and I was super impressed with the team culture. They actually had me take on the jammer role for the drills and I didn't die, so maybe I'm more of a jammer type.
Oooh, so I also jumped over defense for the first time. It was kind of like an apex jump, but just on a straight away. I was kind of surprised that I actually made it, and it was definitely a confidence booster for me. I was however getting stuck behind walls a lot. I'm still fall victim to Jamnesia as I get stuck in the zone and forget about the star pass option. Overall, it was a fun night and as always, I learned a lot about body positioning.
So after skating with the Texas Rollergirls, just for fun, I've actually assigned each team an Enneagram number, and since you are not supposed to type people, I'm just going off of my perception of each team. The Hotrods are like 8's. The Hells are like 1's, the Hustlers are like 4's and Hearts are like 6's. Of course these are just generalizations because within each team, there is a range of personalities from 1-9, which is why the derby culture is so amazing!
Oooh, so I also jumped over defense for the first time. It was kind of like an apex jump, but just on a straight away. I was kind of surprised that I actually made it, and it was definitely a confidence booster for me. I was however getting stuck behind walls a lot. I'm still fall victim to Jamnesia as I get stuck in the zone and forget about the star pass option. Overall, it was a fun night and as always, I learned a lot about body positioning.
So after skating with the Texas Rollergirls, just for fun, I've actually assigned each team an Enneagram number, and since you are not supposed to type people, I'm just going off of my perception of each team. The Hotrods are like 8's. The Hells are like 1's, the Hustlers are like 4's and Hearts are like 6's. Of course these are just generalizations because within each team, there is a range of personalities from 1-9, which is why the derby culture is so amazing!
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
One More Week of Try-Outs
So this past week has been pretty full of derby for me. Following last Tuesday's post, I joined in on the Hotrods' practice on Thursday, had league practice on Saturday, scrimmaged with the home teams on Monday and then had practice again tonight. On Thursday I'll be joining the Heartbreakers' practice, followed by a Saturday practice and then one last Tuesday practice before finding out if we are drafted or not.
I'd say at this point, I'm encouraged enough to say that there is a small chance that I may be drafted. While I still feel like I am the least experienced on the team, I am a quick learner and I think that is a plus.
Practice with the Hodrods was very intense. OJ led the practice and we learned about pack scenarios and positioning. I learned through that practice when you should be at the front of the pack and when you should be at the back.
On Saturday, we worked more on Offensive blocking and we practiced different types of catches: hooking and posting.
On Monday, we scrimmaged and I really got a chance to 1) feel how weird the flooring is at Austin Sports Center (it's like floating laminate tiles) 2) practice offensive blocking in game scenarios and 3) learn about body positioning when blocking the jammer at the front of the pack. I ended up getting lots of penalties for track cuts, but I know I'm taking more risks with taking the outside or inside lanes as a jammer. I just need to have more explosive starts. I currently feel like I'm just a split second behind and that I have lead blocks on my feet.
Tonight's practice focused on power. Tear coached us tonight and I always love listening to her explain things. She is so aware of body mechanics and can really break things down and trouble-shoot what you are doing or not doing. We worked on loading our legs a certain way and then moving the opposing blocker out of the way. Power comes from "chambering" or loading up our body in a way so that we can gain momentum during the hits.
I also learned that I need to get lower. -- said no derby player ever.
I look back to the first few practices and I feel like I am more in my element. I'm more at ease and I am feeling so encouraged by the other women. Remember when I wasn't sure if I was in love with the idea of derby or the actual playing? Well, it's even more clearer to me now and it's pretty evident that I'm in love with the actual game...and the people.
I remember when Sum asked if I wanted to try-out. I quickly told her, "I just can't. I have 3 kids." Now I can say "I need derby in my life because I have 3 kids!"
Bruises are starting to become more apparent, and today one person actually asked me about mine (which I thought would've happened earlier). It's funny how they look so bad, but I really don't even remember how I got them.
I've been trying to catch some games on youtube when I can. I typically will watch the games at 75% speed and at that speed, I feel like I can better follow what is going on. I'm going to keep trying to watch more games when I can, and hopefully I will be able to watch (and know what's going on) at regular speed soon.
I'd say at this point, I'm encouraged enough to say that there is a small chance that I may be drafted. While I still feel like I am the least experienced on the team, I am a quick learner and I think that is a plus.
Practice with the Hodrods was very intense. OJ led the practice and we learned about pack scenarios and positioning. I learned through that practice when you should be at the front of the pack and when you should be at the back.
On Saturday, we worked more on Offensive blocking and we practiced different types of catches: hooking and posting.
On Monday, we scrimmaged and I really got a chance to 1) feel how weird the flooring is at Austin Sports Center (it's like floating laminate tiles) 2) practice offensive blocking in game scenarios and 3) learn about body positioning when blocking the jammer at the front of the pack. I ended up getting lots of penalties for track cuts, but I know I'm taking more risks with taking the outside or inside lanes as a jammer. I just need to have more explosive starts. I currently feel like I'm just a split second behind and that I have lead blocks on my feet.
Tonight's practice focused on power. Tear coached us tonight and I always love listening to her explain things. She is so aware of body mechanics and can really break things down and trouble-shoot what you are doing or not doing. We worked on loading our legs a certain way and then moving the opposing blocker out of the way. Power comes from "chambering" or loading up our body in a way so that we can gain momentum during the hits.
I also learned that I need to get lower. -- said no derby player ever.
I look back to the first few practices and I feel like I am more in my element. I'm more at ease and I am feeling so encouraged by the other women. Remember when I wasn't sure if I was in love with the idea of derby or the actual playing? Well, it's even more clearer to me now and it's pretty evident that I'm in love with the actual game...and the people.
I remember when Sum asked if I wanted to try-out. I quickly told her, "I just can't. I have 3 kids." Now I can say "I need derby in my life because I have 3 kids!"
Bruises are starting to become more apparent, and today one person actually asked me about mine (which I thought would've happened earlier). It's funny how they look so bad, but I really don't even remember how I got them.
I've been trying to catch some games on youtube when I can. I typically will watch the games at 75% speed and at that speed, I feel like I can better follow what is going on. I'm going to keep trying to watch more games when I can, and hopefully I will be able to watch (and know what's going on) at regular speed soon.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Try-Outs Part 2
Rain has dampened our practice schedule so we've had less time on skates with canceled practices here and there. We've been really working on offensive weaving, to help open up space for the jammer. The first skill that we have been working on are lateral cuts in to take someone's space followed by containment (by sitting).
I'm finding it difficult to get the power needed to take someone's space. I think when I cut in, I am pretty much faced with enough force that I simply contain them, not really moving anyone out of their space at this point. But on the flip side, I'm not being launched when I get hit, so that's a gain for me.
Last practice I had a wide eyed moment when I saw an amazing jammer just zip through the pack like it was nothing. She was aggressive, fast and didn't let anyone get in her way. They called her OJ. So curious, I looked up to see what team she played and I didn't find anyone with a name related to orange juice, but then I see a picture of someone who resembles her, and it was Olivia Shootin' John. I had a fan girl moment. I got to skate with THE Olivia Shootin' John!
So tonight, as I was gearing up, guess who sat down right next to me?!?! Anyways, we talked mostly about alternative schools, but it was cool to be talking to a derby celebrity!
The drive to every practice has me feeling nervous. I really want to make a team, I really love skating derby, but there's a part of myself that knows I'm such a newbie and I don't want to let whatever team I join down. The girls have all been super encouraging and I usually leave practice feeling ok and not beat down. Sometimes when I am doubting myself, I ask myself, do I derby because I love it, or do I want the status that comes with being on a premier team?
When self-doubt settles in, I often think the latter. Maybe I just want to be able to say that I got selected on a team, prove to my friends that I'm good enough. But once I strap on my skates and join the other women on the track, I feel so alive, liberated, and it is then when I know without a doubt that I do it because I love the sport along with the encouraging and accepting culture that surrounds it all.
Before skating with the league I was pretty set on joining a certain team. Mainly because most of my closer derby friends are on that team. However, after skating with different skaters and getting to know more girls, I think I would be happy with whoever takes me. The hot rods are an amazing team of diverse women from all walks of life. The Hustlers are relaxed, but they work hard at the same time. Hell Mary's have the reputation of being more strict, but the women who I've skated with are all super friendly. And then the Heartbreakers have an amazing team full of mentors who I've looked up to during my time in the rec league.
I found out today that the try-out period has been extended an extra week. This means I get more derby time and will have the opportunity to learn so much more. I still have a pretty good feeling that I'm going to get cut this time around. Of all the women trying out, I am the least experienced. Like Hellgha said, "Fall is a better time to join because you start fresh and have a chance to grow with your team." During mid-season try outs teams are looking for skaters who are ready to go. My only chance of getting in is if they want to pick me and plan on growing me through this season so I would be ready to go next season.
A part of me still feels guilty about leaving Steve to take care of the kids while I go play roller derby. But I need to not feel guilty. I have to remind myself that I'm doing this for me, but also for the kiddos too.
I still have 6 practices left! I'm going to try to learn as much as I can and see where things take me. So excited!
I'm finding it difficult to get the power needed to take someone's space. I think when I cut in, I am pretty much faced with enough force that I simply contain them, not really moving anyone out of their space at this point. But on the flip side, I'm not being launched when I get hit, so that's a gain for me.
Last practice I had a wide eyed moment when I saw an amazing jammer just zip through the pack like it was nothing. She was aggressive, fast and didn't let anyone get in her way. They called her OJ. So curious, I looked up to see what team she played and I didn't find anyone with a name related to orange juice, but then I see a picture of someone who resembles her, and it was Olivia Shootin' John. I had a fan girl moment. I got to skate with THE Olivia Shootin' John!
So tonight, as I was gearing up, guess who sat down right next to me?!?! Anyways, we talked mostly about alternative schools, but it was cool to be talking to a derby celebrity!
The drive to every practice has me feeling nervous. I really want to make a team, I really love skating derby, but there's a part of myself that knows I'm such a newbie and I don't want to let whatever team I join down. The girls have all been super encouraging and I usually leave practice feeling ok and not beat down. Sometimes when I am doubting myself, I ask myself, do I derby because I love it, or do I want the status that comes with being on a premier team?
When self-doubt settles in, I often think the latter. Maybe I just want to be able to say that I got selected on a team, prove to my friends that I'm good enough. But once I strap on my skates and join the other women on the track, I feel so alive, liberated, and it is then when I know without a doubt that I do it because I love the sport along with the encouraging and accepting culture that surrounds it all.
Before skating with the league I was pretty set on joining a certain team. Mainly because most of my closer derby friends are on that team. However, after skating with different skaters and getting to know more girls, I think I would be happy with whoever takes me. The hot rods are an amazing team of diverse women from all walks of life. The Hustlers are relaxed, but they work hard at the same time. Hell Mary's have the reputation of being more strict, but the women who I've skated with are all super friendly. And then the Heartbreakers have an amazing team full of mentors who I've looked up to during my time in the rec league.
I found out today that the try-out period has been extended an extra week. This means I get more derby time and will have the opportunity to learn so much more. I still have a pretty good feeling that I'm going to get cut this time around. Of all the women trying out, I am the least experienced. Like Hellgha said, "Fall is a better time to join because you start fresh and have a chance to grow with your team." During mid-season try outs teams are looking for skaters who are ready to go. My only chance of getting in is if they want to pick me and plan on growing me through this season so I would be ready to go next season.
A part of me still feels guilty about leaving Steve to take care of the kids while I go play roller derby. But I need to not feel guilty. I have to remind myself that I'm doing this for me, but also for the kiddos too.
I still have 6 practices left! I'm going to try to learn as much as I can and see where things take me. So excited!
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