The current Women's Flat Track Derby Association rules allow skaters to stop, backskate, and/or skate in the reverse direction. Jammers (the ones who score points by passing opponents) can step outside the track and go back to reenter behind the rest of the back so that they may try again to pass without committing a penalty and therefore earn points or the "lead jammer" designation that they would have lost on the first attempt. All this makes for (1) confused fans (2) confused refs (3) confused stat-keepers, and (4) ssssssslow skating. In my opinion, and that of many other fans, this is not what roller derby should be. You wouldn't get this kind of nonsense on the banked tracks. My sign isn't very clever - I made it quickly during halftime on the back of another one - but there is something to be said for simplicity and for putting into writing what everybody at the bout was thinking.
The WFTDA should simplify the rules so that normal folks can follow the play. Derby should be fast and hard-hitting. If they want it to be slow and tame, they should go and play a pleasant game of croquet on top of Ann Calvello's grave.
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