On February 16, 2013 thirteen women set out on an adventure that will surely change the lives of those that complete the ten weeks of training: Fresh Meat Boot Camp. They all showed up at 10am at the Meerscheidt Recreation Center rink out back not knowing exactly what to expect. Some had skated before with other leagues like Derbal Remedy in Alamogordo, NM or Minor Threat Junior Derby here in Las Cruces. Others had skated on and off throughout their lives and are looking for that next challenge. And then there are those that had never put on a pair of skates until a few months ago when we started the off-season open skate. These are your 2013 Crossroads City Derby session 1 Fresh Meat:

• Andrea Ceniceros
• Kathy Davidson
• Vanessa Estrada
• Kelsey Gaffney
• Starla Hackler
• Katrina Hawkins
• Hannah McCurdy
• Melina O’Donnell
• Laura Ramsey
• Amber Rodriguez
• Mary Beth Smith
• Bonnie Thorkildson
• Valerie Trujillo

First of all, why are they called Fresh Meat?  The term Fresh Meat is used to describe a skater that is still in training.  They are raw, ready for a good beating and not quite sure what they have gotten themselves into yet.

For two days the “freshies” were introduced to the world of women’s flat track roller derby.  They were taught how to balance on eight wheels, how to fall without getting hurt (and yes, falling is a part of derby), how to stop, what a good stride looks like and what derby form is.  The veteran skaters showed the freshies agility and footwork, how to transition from skating forward to skating backwards and the importance of warming up before practice starts and cooling down and stretching at the end of practice.  They were then introduced to the Dark Side of the Bout (our gracious volunteer referees and non-skating officials), to the anatomy of a skate and skate maintenance.  And all this was only the first day.

On the second day of boot camp, the freshies got their first taste of skating together in a 25-lap pack drill.  Pack skating is a critical skill that even some of the most experienced skaters must continue to work on.  After the pack laps came review time for stops and falls and the introduction of pace-line skating while maintaining distance and touching.  Then the fresh meat group was treated to a 30-minute scrimmage by the veteran skaters where they were asked to right down questions that came up during the scrimmage.  The last on-skate activity of the day was a focus drill where the freshies had to skate in a pack while looking around, calling the location of the drill leader on the track (inside, outside, middle) and the number of fingers being held up.  To end the boot camp the skaters where given the opportunity for one-on-one instruction and a Q & A session with the coach and veteran skaters.

Now begins the 10-week journey to full-league membership.  They will be drilled, tested, drilled some more and tested again.  They will form a bond that only previous fresh meat groups understand.  They will help each other up time and time again. And on test out day, they will stand united, screaming encouragement to one another as they are put through the WFTDA minimum skills test.

So we congratulate those that have decided to take this challenge.  And we wish them luck!!!

Coach

What can I say about my experience at the Left Turn Coaching Clinic hosted by our friends at EPRD? Well, first I’ll start with how excited I was to be learning from a couple of well-known players for this sport, Scald Eagle and Mercy! (Aahhhh, the crowd goes wild!) Especially after one of the coaches for the clinics had a video clip go “viral” within the derby community just earlier that week. I even made a point to show friends and co-workers the video and say “look this is what we do! And I get to learn from her this weekend!” Like our coach often says it’s like getting to play basketball with Michael Jordan. What amateur basketball player can say they have done that?

The clinic in itself was non-stop. Once we had gone over one skill we moved right onto another. Most of the things we learned could be applied to both the jammer and blocker positions. Because sometimes to be a good player you might need to know how to play the game from every position. The drills started out in a way that even someone who might have just started skating could still benefit and learn from. As the hour progressed more advanced variations for each skill were  introduced. Sure you can weave in an out of a line of skaters! Now do a full rotation around each skater and oh do it skating backwards (your face should be in their face). There was also discussion on how these skills are  applied in game play, and how the recent rule changes can affect the ways in which you might have perviously blocked or even jammed. So basically applying these skills in an affective and legal way while protecting yourself at the same time.

Not only were there skaters from our league there, but also from other leagues around New Mexico, Texas, and even Mexico; all ready to learn, and add more skills to their skating tool box. Over all we had eight CCD skaters attend the three-day clinic.

Both coaches were fairly tall standing over 6 feet with skates on! Myself I’m 5 foot 7 before I put on skates, and I’m not one of the tallest girls in the league. In an area where most are 5 foot 5 and below the perspective of a taller skater was very much needed and appreciated!

This clinic was a great way to start my second season of roller derby. Highly motivating and informative. When it was all over we could not wait to go back to the league, share with them all the knowledge we had gained, and kick off Crossroads City Derby’s 3rd full season!

-Captain Howdy, #.333