Kids 7-12 years olds of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities are welcome - No skating skills required!
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Lansing Junior Roller Derby (LJRD) is offering their first basic skills boot camp training program to kids interested in learning the sport of roller derby. In-person orientation will be held Sunday, January 7th, at Court One Training Center, 7868 Old M-78 in East Lansing, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, when interested persons can also be fitted for loaner gear. The ten-week boot camp program begins Wednesday, January 10th from 5-7pm. The fee to participate is $80 due by the first day of boot camp. Loaner equipment is available, but please bring a mouth guard and a water bottle.
While most sports require a certain physique, roller derby is uniquely inclusive of all shapes, sizes and abilities. Most boot campers entered the program with little or no skating ability. With enough coaching, practice and group support – which LJRD has plenty of – new skaters will quickly advance their skills and become safe and ready for game play.
Roller derby is a unique sport in that both offense and defense are played at the same time. Five-member teams compete during two-minute sessions called “jams” in which points are earned by passing opposing players, so strategy, awareness of the track, and team cohesiveness is key. And while the sport was once perceived as being showy and staged, it has since evolved into a legitimate sport. LJRD prides itself on providing participants the best possible opportunity to flourish in a safe and positive environment; all training is run and supervised by the league’s most experienced coaching staff and veteran players who also serve as mentors to new recruits.
Boot camp consists of introductory, intermediate and advanced skill level training that focus on proper stance, stopping and turning, speed control, agility, endurance, pack work, and more. Proper mastery of technique is reinforced at practice.
After boot camp, passing a basic skills test is required before participating in scrimmage and competitive play. In 2022 LJRD was born, and the aspiration for 2024 is to get skaters confident and ready for competition. Opportunities are also available for all people ages 18 or older, to get involved with the league as a non-skating official, referee or volunteer.
For more information on Lansing Junior Roller Derby, visit https://lansingrollerderby.com/lansing-junior-roller-derby
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