Chicago-Style Roller Derby believes that roller derby is for everybody! That is why we have carefully cultivated a program for new skaters looking to get rolling in the high intensity sport of roller derby. Our recruitment team has worked alongside our National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer to bring you a comprehensive class that's based around the WFTDA Minimum Skills Requirements. New Crew isn't just for aspiring skaters. We also encourage people to enroll in New Crew who are interested in becoming referees, officials or volunteers.

New Crew Level One | Basic Skating Skills
Enrollment for New Crew Level One opens once per year beginning in March. Skaters meet twice weekly over the course of 9 weeks to build the skills necessary to pass the WFTDA Minimum Skills Test at the end of the program. Level One New Crew is no contact. Contact is a skill that we safely build up to in New Crew Level Two. Those who are interested in learning to referee are encouraged to participate in New Crew Level One.

 

New Crew Level One Skills:

• Skater Stance

• Safe Falls

• Stops

• Edges + Crossovers

• Lateral Movement

• Starts + Laps

• Transitions

• Hops + Jumps

New Crew Level Two | Pack Skating + Contact
New Crew Level Two is focused on working within a pack scenario, building up to safe and legal contact and the foundational skills of blocking and jamming. The end of New Crew Level Two has an additional assessment compliant with the rule set provided by,  WFTDA.

New Crew Level Two Skills:

• Pack Skating

• Avoiding Obstacles

• Tripod Blocking

• Pushes + Whips

• Giving and Receiving Blocks

• Positional Blocking

• Pack Definition

 

New Crew Level Three | Mentorship + Scrimmage

Once a skater reaches New Crew Level Three they are eligible to become a full fledged member of Chicago-Style Roller Derby and will be expected to pay dues and adhere to the Chicago-Style Roller Derby Code of Conduct. New Crew Level Three skaters are assigned a mentor by the training committee to enhance their growth & development and deepen their connections to veteran skaters in the league. Additionally, the skater will become eligible for scrimmage but with a guided approach from coaches and mentors. This is the level where skaters are integrated into regular practices with veteran skaters and participate in league drills with a coach to give guidance in real-time. Level Three New Crew focus: 

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• Mentorship

• Learning game play

• Advanced Skills

• Building Endurance

• Guided Scrimmage

• Strategy

New Crew Level Three is also eligible to participate in our annual MeowMixer, a game we host for roller derby newbies from many other local leagues. The aim is to help our new skaters to gain game play experience, build teamwork and make connections with other newbies from surrounding teams. It's also a great event to invite your friends and families to so they can see how far you've progressed and cheer you on.

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