I was just wondering....do you have what it takes???

So, it's the start of another year. It's freezing cold. So many are hibernating with their winter ritual of Netflix and chill, football, and whole weekends spent in pajamas, but what are your plans? Did you make resolutions for the New Year? Did you so solemnly swear that you were going to get into shape this year? Hmmmm. Be honest. Did you? Listen, I know you did, you do every year. I just want to help you. There are fun ways to exercise that maybe you aren't aware of. Have you ever considered skating? Maybe extreme skating? Maybe really, really fun extreme skating peppered with the occasional big hit and maybe the roar of a crowd? I mean, if you have, I know how you can make this happen.

The Dire Skates Roller Derby Team is about to enter it's 9th season, and well, we want to know if you have what it takes to join our ranks. Me especially. I want to know if you have what it takes. Do you? Do you have what it takes to be A Dire Skater?
Do you have a desire to be a part of a team; to build lifelong friendships; to learn; adjust your inner reflection and skate right out of your comfort zone?
Do you have the desire to be encouraged and supported by a group of women and men that will become like family?
Do you think you could encourage others and fiercely support them? Do you think you're a person that gives up easily, or would you say you're the person that just never quits?
Do you have the desire to get your blood pumping and your heart racing while making yourself proud of YOU? Do you have the desire to meet personal goals regarding your health and fitness? Do you want to learn new skills and be a part of a fast growing and super bad ass sport? I feel like these are pretty easy questions for you to answer about yourself. So do you....have what it takes?
If you answered yes to even one of my questions I hope I see you this upcoming Sunday. You see, so far, you are what I'm looking for in a team mate, and I want to start our relationship on the right foot, with encouragement.

I think you can do it. I'd like to see you believe in yourself and TRY.
I understand your hesitation if you feel you aren't the strongest skater, I really do. I'm starting my 8th season in roller derby and I'm still not the strongest skater, but listen, I believe in myself and I bring other strengths to the table. My strengths? Probably my greatest strength is that I never give up, ever. I'm gonna keep picking myself up and moving forward always, whether on the derby track or right smack dab in the middle of this crazy thing we call life. I may be small, but I'm not one to be overcome. I have been told that I'm boney my whole life, but it's a strength of mine so I embrace it. Remember, I'm not the strongest skater, so I need an arsenal of weaponry. Mine are my bones. I know that sounds silly, but it's truth. My best weapons are my shoulders. They say my bones are made of knives, so I use that ol' shoulder "blade" to my advantage. Hahahaha,see what I did there? But enough about me. What about you? What are your strengths? Think about them for a minute. Shoot, write them down and read them back to yourself. Then make plans to come see me and my team mates and sisters this Sunday for Dire Skates Tryouts. I'll be the goofy one skating around in the silver glitter helmet cracking jokes, talking about the great "poop button", telling my friends they smell bad, and encouraging you to keep trying because if I can do this I KNOW you can too.
Know this about yourself. You can learn anything. You can improve things you put your effort into. You can build yourself into someone you look up to. I mean it, you can. Be your own biggest fan. Do something that is just for YOU. And have pride in that thing. Have pride in yourself.

If you're already pretty accomplished at rolling around on 8 wheels bring yourself, test your mettle. You can skate, but can you skate roller derby? YES! Absolutely you can!
So, if you have skates, get them out of the closet/garage/ attic/ storage unit and dust them off. If you have protective gear like a helmet, knee and elbow pads and wrist guards don't leave them at home, you'll need them. Whether you have all this gear already (somehow magically) you'll need a mouth guard. You can pick one up for a $1 anywhere sporting goods are sold. Bring all this stuff, and your self and be ready. It's gonna be fun. So....much....fun.
The Dire Skates are looking for skaters, those interested in PLAYING roller derby and those interested in REFFING roller derby. Does this description fit you? Do you have a desire to be involved in the sport but you're just not so sure about hitting or being hit while on wheels? If this is you, you're absolutely VITAL to the sport of roller derby. Without referees there would be no roller derby. EVERY team needs refs. You could show up to tryouts on Sunday and make EVERY BODY'S day. Seriously.

As a roller derby team we are obviously looking for skaters, but something you might not know is that we want and need folks who have zero interest in skating but still want to be a part of the team dynamic. Huh? Why? Well, at every single game (or bout) there are jobs that need to be done. Someone needs to keep track of skater penalties;someone else needs to count points; someone needs to watch the clock so on and so forth. There are "jobs" that we need to fill for every home bout of each season. Non-skating officials are essential to the sport. If you have no interest in skating, but you've been to a bout and you just HAVE to be a part of derby I'd like to shake your hand on Sunday. I'm not kidding.

So, what's it gonna be? You going to actually hold up your list of New Year's resolutions and check one off the list, or are you going to keep doubting yourself? This is entirely up to you. I trust you'll make the right decision. Since you will, you're going to need some information.
Team tryouts are on Sunday, January 14th from 4-6pm at the Skate in Richmond. Here.....look at this.

I'm so excited about tryouts and I'm looking forward to meeting you I'm sure you've cleared your schedule and I'll get the pleasure.

Derby love,

DJ Smear-O #1013

August Skater of the Month: JENOCIDE

     A new month means a new skater featured! Our skater of the month this time is, in the words of her fellow teammates, a motivator. She is always looking to better herself physically and always improve on her already impressive skating ability. She is a beast on the track, an active member of her community, and a role model through and through. She is #636, Jenocide!

How long have you been playing roller derby? I have been playing since 2013.

A successful juke, and Jenocide leaves them stumbling

How did you get your start in roller derby & what made you want to join? I originally heard that my hometown of Connersville was starting up a new roller derby team. A lot of negative press has been associated with Connersville so I saw it as an opportunity to contribute to something positive for the town. I started out with the short-lived Whitewater Valley Roller Derby in April of 2013 and made the transfer to Dire in June of that year.

Inside lane? Outside lane? Jenocide bursts through them all

You volunteer a lot for the team & in the community...tell us more about some of the things you've done since joining Dire! Dire has made many appearances and helped out with many community organizations and events including City Fit, Relay for Life, and Toys for Tots. We also participate in local parades and you can usually see us rolling around the many festivals around Wayne county, which are personal favorites of mine.

A little chilly weather won't stop Jenocide and the Dire Crew from volunteering

What is your favorite post workout treat? Anything involving peanut butter!

Jenocide's strength and endurance is a testament to her training

As always, the team chooses their Skater of the Month. So here are some of the things they had to say about Jenocide.

"Jenocide comes to every practice and puts forth 110% every time. She strives to become a better player. She is a great team leader. She also helps with warm ups!!" - NitroJen

"...Because she is kick ass. Constantly busting her ass for all that she does. She is amazaballs." - Klept-O-Matic

"She is becoming a great leader on & off skates!! Jen is also an amazing jammer, blocker & teammate." - Skari Rage

 Jamming or blocking, Jenocide is relentless

Jenocide faithfully & consistently comes to practice, and she has really motivated us in so many ways. She does so much off-skates & on to increase her ability, and has made noticeable improvements because of it. She always tries to go to extra scrimmages & workshops, and devotes a lot of her time to the team. We are proud to be on the track with someone as amazing, inspiring and strong as Jenocide!

~Until next time, IVy Bruzinya

Make sure you Like us on Facebook/subscribe to the blog so you never miss a chance to get to know your favorite derby girls! Feel free to leave her a shout out so we can get to know you, too!

July Skater of the Month: TERAHRIZIN

 We are super excited to be bringing back the "Skater of the Month" feature! I am even more excited to announce that our first new Skater of the Month is a woman who wears many, many hats for Dire (on the track, you'll see her donning the Pivot stripe especially often!): #0507, Terahrizin!

Terahrizin keeping cool & calm on the bench during the bout against the Battle Creek Ceeral Killers, 2016

How long have you been playing roller derby? This is my fourth season.  

Everybody wants a high five from Terah!

 How'd you get your start in derby? I was a booty sponsor and Facebook friend of the infamous DJ Smear-o. She posted there were tryouts and I thought I would go see what it was all about, take some pics and write a little blog about it. 27 girls showed up and I was one of the 14 who made it!! Surprise! 

Terahrizin on the track with Twisted Sister and DJ Smear-o

You wear a lot of hats for the team...tell us a little about your many roles! I am a trainer which basically only means I am vested in making myself and my team more efficient. I plan practices and spread as much encouragement and positivity as possible.

I am head of marketing and I make sure we have enough NSOs, I plan photo shoots for each flier and then make the flier and the programs. I also make sure there is a halftime show for every game and work with the other team to get their logo and pictures in the programs.

As marketing head I also work with a tiny army to ensure the team page and blog are being updated, fliers are distributed, radio ads are being made and seats are being filled! Marketing is my voted position but I do anything necessary to help the team!

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Terahrizin as the pivot in a 3 wall with SeanA the Dead & Grizzly Barrett

If you could be any ice cream flavor, what flavor would you be? Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food.

Since Skater of the Month is chosen by the team itself, let's see what some of Terah's teammates have to say about her...

As a player: "Terah is always a great blocker to have in your wall, she is great at communicating where the jammer is and where we need to be as a wall. She takes on any player and stays right in front of them. She motivates us all during game play and encourages us to keep on fighting."-SeanA the Dead

  

 Holding her own at Gem City

"Terah is an incredible player. She is very agile on her skates & her footwork is awe inspiring. She can gracefully & seamlessly transition into a backwards blocking position at a moment's notice to stabilize her whole line. I've watched her hold jammers twice her size on the track. She is small but she is mighty." -IVy Bruzinya

"Terah doesn't back down from a challenge & when she is the pivot, you can be confident that she is going to be telling you exactly what she needs from you. Seeing her play really motivates and inspires me. Her stature may make her seem like she'd be an easy target on the track but then she gives 'em total hell out there!" -Frida Kill-o

Terahrizin in her oft donned pivot cover

...and as a trainer:

"She has been working hard to help all of us improve on and off skates, along with trying different skills, drills, and techniques." -Skari Rage

"She's been going above & beyond to work with us as a team toward new training techniques. She's been bringing new elements to the table & that requires extra time on her part, looking for new techniques and learning them herself before helping the team with them." -DJ Smear-o

A peek at Terahrizin in "trainer mode" during a recent Dire practice

 

 Terah: thank you for your dedication to your team. We appreciate and love you! Congratulations on being our first new Skater of the Month!


 Make sure you Like us on Facebook/subscribe to the blog so you never miss a chance to get to know your favorite derby girls! Feel free to leave her a shout out so we can get to know you, too!

GUEST POST: Take Off the Skates Already

 **Today's guest  post is brought to you by the always awesome #636, JENOCIDE! Let's give her a round of applause!**

When first reading the title of this entry, one might question why a roller derby player would ever condone taking off your skates. Whether you are just starting out in derby or you’re a seasoned vet, there is one thing that rings true for all levels of skaters: Off-skates training is just as important as on skates. No, seriously. It is. You may be rolling your eyes right now and saying to yourself, “I can skate. I am good to go.”

 

(This might be you right now)

Benefits of off-skates workouts:

·       Better balance

·       Core strength

·       Strength for hits, derby stance, stopping and holding

·       Confidence

·       Lessens the likelihood of injury or muscle strains

·       Improved flexibility

Most importantly, it makes you feel good!

All of these things sound great, right? Now maybe you’re reconsidering and saying, “Okay, but what does off-skates training look like?”

Off-skates training covers a wide variety of exercises and movements, but doesn’t necessarily mean stepping foot into the gym. While having access to free weights and machines is helpful (and effing awesome), it’s not necessary to get in some great work. Many of these can be performed in the privacy of your own home. (Hint hint: NO EXCUSES!)

Lunges, sit-ups/crunches, squats, planks, pushups, wall sits, and the always loveable/hateable BURPEES are great additions to a training regimen and require no equipment whatsoever.   

 If you a have access to free weights and/or kettlebells, even better. Agility/footwork drills are also a plus.

If you’re struggling with how to put a workout together, below are some great websites that you can use to assist you in your off-skates pursuits:

*http://www.getrolling.com/fit/fithome.html

*https://www.fitnessblender.com/ (One of my personal favorites. FREE workouts, which can be scaled to meet your needs and ability level.)

*http://www.allderbydrills.com/2011/07/one-full-off-skates-workout-session.html

*YouTube is also a great resource, as you can find many videos related specifically to what you want to accomplish. https://www.youtube.com/

If you have some extra money just burning a hole in your pocket, Roller Derby Athletics offers derby-specific training programs to meet your needs. http://www.rollerderbyathletics.com/

As you can see, I highly recommend off-skates training. Off-skates workouts will help you to step up your derby game and become the player you’ve always dreamed of being.  

Happy training!

XO- Jenocide