Submitted by Kate Birnbaum, skater with the Jerzey Derby Brigade

Whether we’re standing at the pivot line waiting for the first whistle or crouching at the jammer line waiting for the double whistle, tightening the pack as the lead jammer comes through, or taking that last hit into the wall, roller derby skaters are not thinking “oh shoot, I need to feed my dog,” we are thinking “roller derby!”

The mind of a roller derby girl is full of character, action, strife and commitment. It’s as if it has been taken over, “derbanized” and all of a sudden we become one with roller derby. Even at practice, when we walk into the rink, we leave everything at the door. While stretching and warming up we think about the roller derby girl we want to be and then we think of how to become it. 

Many things can affect the mind of a roller derby girl. Negative thoughts can play a role in effecting performance; positive thoughts can give you strength to take that one last hit and push through that one last jam. A roller derby girl’s mind whether it’s at a bout or at practice is a powerful tool.

Come see these roller derby minds put into action with your local roller derby league the Jerzey Derby Brigade, Saturday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m., at Inline Morristown, 38 Dumont Place, Morristown. It’s the last home bout until September!

Tickets can be purchased in advance at brownpapertickets.com (search Jerzey Derby Brigade) or at the door on bout day.

Drawing by: Elektra Q. Tion