If you’ve never seen a roller derby game before, you’re probably going to have a hard time following where I’m going with this. So let me give you a quick rundown of the sport I play and practice almost three times a week.
Derby 101
Roller derby is for everybody. I’ve got teammates in their 50s and 60s who can still knock me on my butt like it’s nothing. There are even junior leagues for kids. And before you ask, no, derby isn’t like the old TV version where everyone’s throwing elbows and flying over rails. It’s different now. More refined, more strategic, and yes, we’re still hitting, just with a few more rules to keep people from dying.
I live in St. Louis, Missouri, home of the number one ranked women’s flat-track team, Arch Rivals Roller Derby (while I’m not on that team, I celebrate their wins from the sidelines). The second-best team in the country is Rose City Roller Derby out of Portland, which feels fitting since a lot of my PR work is based there. The universe clearly likes a theme.
How It Works
Now that you’re caught up, here’s the quick guide of how derby works. There are two teams on the track. Each team puts out four blockers and one jammer. The jammer’s job is to skate through the pack and pass opposing blockers; each blocker equals a point. The blockers’ job is to stop the jammer, while helping their own jammer get through. A special blocker, called the pivot, can take over as jammer mid-play if things go sideways. Each play is called a jam, lasting up to two minutes, and a full game (or bout) is made up of tons of these sprints.
Where PR Fits In
Public relations is basically roller derby in business clothes. It’s all about teamwork, communication, and keeping your head on straight when things start spinning.
Here’s how these two separate things really line up:
The Blockers = PR Team. These are the strategists, writers, and media specialists working behind the scenes. They clear obstacles, protect the message, and create space for the client’s success.
The Jammer = The Client. This is the person, business or brand in the spotlight, putting in effort and trusting the team to help them score wins.
The Pivot = Account Lead. This flexible player can switch roles depending on the situation — sometimes leading strategy, other times supporting execution.
The Bench Coach = Account Manager. They keep everyone organized, adjust plans mid-game, and make sure the entire team stays focused on the goal.
The Officials = Journalists. They maintain fairness, enforce boundaries, and keep the story credible.
The Fans = The Public. They are the ultimate audience, the reason everyone shows up, and their engagement determines whether the work lands or falls flat.
When It’s Working
When everyone’s communicating and staying in sync, both derby and PR work in harmony. The wall holds, the jammer breaks through, and the points or headlines start rolling in. When someone forgets their role or stops talking, the whole thing collapses faster than a bad tripod.
PR moves just as fast as a jam. Plans change, reporters ghost, clients pivot mid-campaign, or something unexpected goes viral at 3 a.m. The best teams don’t panic. They adjust, rebuild, and keep skating.
Trust Your Team
Both roller derby and PR depend on trust, quick thinking, and good communication. Every person’s role matters, and every small win adds up. It’s messy, it’s unpredictable, and sometimes it hurts, but when everything clicks, it’s magic.
Whether I’m lacing up skates or writing a press release, the goal’s the same: keep moving forward, stay on track, and celebrate every hard-earned point.
*The main image was created with AI*
