We all hear that watching derby is the single best way (off-skates) to get better at playing it. And derby is hecka fun to watch, right? But I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you mostly don’t do it.
Why?
High level derby can be hard to watch if you’re not used to it. Plus watching derby and analyzing derby are two different things.
- How do you know what to pay attention to?
- How do you think about what’s happening on the track and apply it to what you might do on the track?
- It’s all moving so fast. HAAALLPP!
Here’s my contribution. The next installment in my “You Should be Analyzing More Derby” series.
The 2016 Columbia Playoffs bout is:
Atlanta v Jacksonville at 2016 WFTDA D1 Playoffs
The questions (and comments) below are to help you hone in on specific parts of the game and get you thinking like a derby analyst. These questions are by no means ALL OF THE THINGS that you could glean from this bout, but it’s a good place to start. You can download them in PDF version HERE.
The First Half
Jam #1 –> Wow! That reaction time from Jacksonville is incredible. Power jam starts… 1… 2… and now Jax jammer has lead. Beautiful swarm.
Jam #1 –> Jacksonville also continues to play skater-on-skater to slow down Atlanta’s reformation.
Jam #1 –> I don’t know how to make GIFs, but if I did, I’d make one of the Jacksonville jammer holding herself in bounds on her own blocker. I can haz GIF, plez?
Jam #3 –> Both teams blocking at high speed in traffic. If this is a goal for you, watch this footwork!
TIMEOUT –> Atlanta’s timeout. Early in the game to burn a TO, but Atlanta needs it. What plan are they making?
Jam #5 –> Love this start positioning by Jacksonville. Keeps them from getting surrounded by the larger Atlanta contingent and uses Atlanta’s own positioning as an additional blocker.
Jam #5 –> Let’s agree now that all pivots should be aware of where to play offense when their jammer is stuck. PIVOTS PLAY OFFENSE NEAR THE JAMMER. It’s a double threat. Maybe you’re just opening a hole. Maybe you’re preparing to take the star.
TIMEOUT –> Jacksonville’s timeout. Atlanta takes this time to discuss their next strategy rather than get iced out. What does Jacksonville need to do to stop this slide?
Jam #10 –> The announcers start talking about running jams long. Lots of good points covered. I’m suspicious that Jacksonville wants to run up as many penalties on this Atlanta jammer as they can. Although the timing turns out to be right on as the Atlanta jammer hadn’t cleared her initial yet.
Jam #11 –> The importance of patience as a jammer…
Jam #11 –> Jacksonville blockers yelling at their jammer to call it, but not helping the case by hanging out in the back of the pack. What’s the problem there?
Jam #12 –> Bay Area starts in the front for the first time all game. Why?
Jam #12 –> Power jam for Atlanta. As they try to execute the sweep, a Jacksonville blocker splits off and meets them. Interesting diversionary tactic.
Jam #14 –> Atlanta demonstrates some great offensive timing to get their jammer lead.
Jam #14 –> Jacksonville made the Atlanta jammer EARN those 5 points. Great example of locking it down to give your own jammer time to work.
OFFICIAL REVIEW –> Timeout without taking a timeout?
Jam #18 –> The rotation on Atlanta’s tripod is tight!
Jam #19 –> Was the Jacksonville jammer coming out of the box on her scoring pass? Or could Atlanta have stretched that jam for more points?
Jam #20 –> Jacksonville’s waterfall and reform in the front is gorgeous! Especially since they manage to contain a particularly slippery Atlanta jammer.
END OF HALF –> Set up an opportunity for Atlanta to come out strong in the second half. These teams are very evenly matched and have settled in. What one weakness from each team can be exploited in the second half? What weakness does each team need to shore up?
HALFTIME SCORE = Atlanta 65 Jax 96
The Second Half
Jam #1 –> I’m surprised that Jacksonville didn’t make any attempt to shake up that start and played into Atlanta’s hands.
Jam #1 –> Jacksonville also has, multiple times this game, been confused by the whistles or something happening off track and had that affect their play.
Jam #6 –> Jacksonville seems to have been thrown completely off their game this half. They’re struggling to stick their bridges and block effectively up front (which were strengths for them in the first half). I’m expecting a timeout from them soon to get themselves back together.
Jam #6 –> Atlanta has changed the tempo of the game to one they are more comfortable with. That’s why they’re playing passive offensive in this power jam, they want to control the pack speed.
TIMEOUT –> Jacksonville. BOOM! Called it. What are you talking about in your TO if you are Jax?
Jam #11 –> Jacksonville tries to free up some space for their jammer as they work up through the wall. This ends up backfiring for them as they get pushed apart and Atlanta grabs lead.
Jam #12 –> Both of these teams execute better when the game is slow. Way better. What strategies can either team use to slow down this game when it starts to speed up?
Jam #13 –> Jacksonville executes the sad pass, where you pass your star off to a pivot that is also stuck behind the wall.
Jam #13 –> Atlanta seems to be finding a way to play the distraction game with Jacksonville making it easy for their jammer to score points unscathed. (This comes down to well-timed hits and taking up a lot of space on the track.)
OFFICIAL TIMEOUT –> This discussion between the announcers about building up fans is great!! <3
Jam #15 –> Why didn’t Jacksonville’s first call-off work? Gave up 4 points to that error. I hope it doesn’t come back to bite them.
Jam #16 –> In a game where you know that you play better together and slow, there should always be the consideration of not dropping a bridge. Keep the jammer close to you; keep your teammates close to each other; keep it slow.
Jams #19 –> Atlanta does some amazing targeted offensive to get their jammer some space and then lets the goat escape.
Jam #19 –> That Jacksonville penalty kill, tho! Totally on the backs of their waterfalling and recycling.
Jam #20 –> Jacksonville’s jammer works like a patient puppetmaster to wrap up Atlanta and give herself plenty of room. Jammers take note!
END OF GAME –> Jacksonville executed better overall at a the faster pack pace that happened in this game and that’s what this bout came down to.
FINAL SCORE = Atlanta 131 Jax 170
Want more?
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