Tryouts require ALL of the following gear:

• Quad (not inline) roller skates (recommended brands: Riedell, Antik, Bont) 
• Helmet (recommended brand: S1)
• Mouth guard (recommended brand: SISU) 
• Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards (recommended brands: 187 Killer Pads, Triple 8, Pro-Tec)

You may rent skates for $5 (cash only), but we strongly recommend buying your own protective gear for tryouts, as our supply of used loaner gear is limited. You can find helmets, pads and mouth guards online as well as at sporting goods stores, skateboard shops and skate shops. There is a huge variety of skates and wheels to choose from – please talk to a CRD skater before you buy.

^{Note: We do not recommend helmets and pads that are designed for inline skating and bicycling, but we’ll accept them at tryouts if that’s all you have.}

We suggest you wear what you’de wear for a vigorous workout; knee- or calf-length leggings and an athletic tanks or tee. You’ll be wearing knee and elbow pads and working up a sweat – we do not recommend jeans or long sleeves. If you’re new to skating, you’ll fall quite a bit – we don’t recommend shorts, skirts or fishnets. Finally, good-quality athletic socks will go a long way in preventing blisters.

Yes – we’ll be working hard and you’ll need the energy! Drink lots of water in the days leading up to tryouts; bring a water bottle and eat a light meal the morning morning of. 

As with any sport, injuries happen. We work to prevent them by ensuring skaters wear proper protective gear and by offering specific training that includes injury-preventive exercises. Cross training is another way to help prevent injury.

Primary health insurance is strongly encouraged, but you will be required to purchase WFTDA insurance in addition when you pass CRD tryouts.

We welcomes any individual of a marginalized gender who is 18 or older, regardless of presentation or the gender they were assigned at birth. There is no age limit.

It’s helpful if you’ve had recent roller skating experience, but if you don’t, we can help you prepare!

We encourage everyone planning to try out to attend the Drop-in Derby practice we offer on Monday nights (information above). Join the Drop-in Derby Facebook group or for more information and updates.

We also highly recommend cross training for all of our athletes – roller derby requires endurance, strength and speed. Working on your cardio and strengthening your quads, glutes and core will help you get ready for tryouts and reduce your risk of injury.

Watching our games, studying the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rules is another great way to prepare. 

You can also volunteer for the team to get to know us and how our league is run. If you’re interested, email volunteer@cincinnatirollergirls.com.

Doors will open 30 minutes before tryouts. Please arrive early so you are geared up (wearing skates and all required protective equipment) by the time warmups begin. Over the course of the tryout, you will participate in drills where your skills are assessed, including: skating form, footwork, stops, transitions, taking and giving a hit and endurance.

CRD has updated our assessment process based on the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s “This is Roller Derby” Beginner Curriculum and our current style of gameplay.

No skater’s progress will be stopped based on one specific skill or one performance. Everyone will have the opportunity to take the entire assessment without being cut during the process.

We don’t expect you to know how to do everything at tryouts, we want to get a sense of your current level so we can place you in the appropriate group on the team. We ask that you try your best and don’t give up.

It is our goal to create a space where all participants have the room to fail and the support to try again!

CRG coaches and evaluators will review the results of all skaters who completed the assessment and place them in one of three groups within our league:

Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Team: Skaters who are proficient in a majority of skills in our assessment. This team is made up of skaters who are eligible to be rostered on our two competitive squads, the Black Sheep (A team) and the Violent Lambs (B team). At this level, skaters will continue to solidify their understanding of the rules and have the skill to modify their interaction with the game accordingly. Skaters who are still focusing on their individual role in the game or in a situation will learn to articulate that role, verbally and physically. As skaters progress, they will focus on team skills while they to continue to add speed, complexity and force.

’Nati Lites: Skaters who are proficient in most skills in our assessment. ’Nati Lites are able to fully participate in Monday night practices and in non-contact drills with WFTDA skaters. At ’Nati Lites practices, skaters will continue learning how the game works, the essentials of skating movement and risk mitigation as they start to put it all into the context of roller derby play.

Developmental Team: Skaters who need continued development of most skills in our assessment. These skaters may attend Monday practices where they will be introduced to skating, rules, safety and gameplay. They may also attend WFTDA team practices as off-skates observers or volunteers.

No matter which group you’re placed in, you’ll be considered a full member of our league and enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of being a CRD skater — including your own derby name and number!

Some of our skaters have made their first roster after a few months; others have had to practice for a year or more. Roller derby is a complex and physically demanding game that requires a high level of skill and a thorough knowledge of rules and strategy. We’ll make sure you get the training you need to get you ready for that day!

You’ll be expected to follow our attendance requirements, pay monthly dues, volunteer at our games and attend a set amount of our official events. We are a 100% skater-run organization and expect every member to obtain a job within the league to ensure everything gets done. 

Any skater will tell you the time is completely worth it! You’ll find new self-confidence and discover strengths you never knew you had. Best of all, you’ll become part of a close-knit family of skaters locally and around the world.

If skating competitively isn’t the best fit for you, there are many other ways to be a part of CRD. You can become a skating official (referee) or non-skating official, join our game day production staff and more. For more information, email Officiating.