LA Derby Dolls serve up fast-paced fun at Dolloseum
Whip it · Members of the Fight Crew attempt to jam the opposing team, the Varsity Brawlers, in order to prevent the pack from moving forward. Spectators saw shoving and body slamming, as these moves are allowed by the rules. – Photo courtesy of Varsity Brawlers
This weekend might have been a joyous time for Trojan football fans celebrating the victory over Utah, but those in El Sereno, an unassuming neighborhood in northeast Los Angeles, was concentrated on an athletic event of a completely different flavor. On Saturday evening, Angelenos congregated in a converted warehouse dubbed the “Dolloseum” to witness a roller derby bout between two local all-female teams, the Varsity Brawlers and Fight Crew, hosted by the LA Derby Dolls league.
With campy nicknames such as Broadzilla, Shady Hawkins and Fleetwood Smack, Brawlers and Fight Crew players sped on old-school quad skates around the concave-banked track in their respective purple and red uniforms. Some even sported full Dia de los Muertos face paint in honor of the upcoming holiday, adding to the endearing do-it-yourself spirit of the derby community. As the commentators narrated the match from their “box in the sky,” costumed children remained fixated on the action, cotton candy in hand, alongside their equally costumed parents; the diversity of the crowd was a testament to the LA Derby Dolls’ wide appeal.
Roller derby lives up to its title as a contact sport in every sense of the term. The game is divided into two-minute “jams,” where up to four blockers per team form a moving, writhing wall in an effort to prevent the other team’s lead star-emblazoned “jammer” from racing past. Naturally, this involves a high degree of shoving and body slamming, though it’s nothing that isn’t allowed in the handbook. Multiple referees circle within the track to enforce the rules. They also collaboratively monitor the score amid the frantic flailing of limbs and crashing of helmets. An on-location medical crew, affectionately named the “Doll Repair” team, tends to bruised players and portends the morbid reality of serious injuries that sometimes occur.
For those who are new to the sport, the association employs on-foot referees toting signs that read, “Questions? Talk derby to me.” They proved useful as the crowd was a varied mix of seasoned fans and curious newcomers. One such referee under the moniker “Marsha Law” offered some insight into the technical workings of roller derby.
“The title of ‘lead jammer’ is given to the first jammer to break through the pack when the jam starts. Then, points can be awarded, one point per opponent passed by the jammer,” Law said. “There are also certain rare moves allowed in the rules that players can execute, like the ‘whip.’”
To every Whip It fan’s delight, the move was carried out once during the bout: In the third quarter, the Brawlers’ Oblivienne Westwood racked up several points by tugging at the hem of her teammate, who propelled (or “whipped”) her forward past the rest of the pack. The technique ultimately gave the Brawlers the upper hand in the match, which ended in 150-117 in their favor.
Even spectators who weren’t quite so well-versed in the intricacies of the sport were enraptured and fully involved. First-timer Helen Ma, a USC student majoring in international relations (global business), gave positive feedback on the bout.
“There is a sense of freedom that the players transfer to the audience. I felt the adrenaline and camaraderie of the community just on my first visit,” Ma said. “Roller derby feels completely different than other female sports like volleyball, gymnastics or even powderpuff football. It is in-your-face and unapologetic about not catering to the male gaze.”
Ma wasn’t wrong about the female camaraderie. LA Derby Dolls also runs a junior league for aspiring players under 18, where they train and condition girls to embody their motto of “be your own hero.” Certain voyeurs hoping to drop by the Dolloseum for some visual titillation of a sexist nature will be met with hostility by no-nonsense female bouncers and a stern referee who rolls through the arena to enforce a no whistling policy.
Despite the remote location, the Dolloseum is worth visiting for sports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike, and offers other diversions including local vendors and group karaoke on the string light-illuminated patio. The undeniable energy delivered by the women of the LA Derby Dolls League is enough to double that of any football team. Those interested would benefit from watching the LA Derby Dolls in their no-holds-barred glory.