The dust has settled in Feasterville, PA, as we are more than a week from the closing of ECDX 2011. While there were many memorable moments spread throughout the 3-day event, one particular jam seemed to get more attention and discussion than any other. That being the two minute jam in the first half of the Gotham v. Philly bout in which neither jammer crossed the jam line.
I understand the complaints of a certain group of fans that think that slow derby sucks. I disagree, but I understand their complaint. However, I do feel that we can agree that NO derby sucks. I can understand the reason for slow-starting the pack – it usually has to do with attempting to get a blocker or jammer out of the box. What I was not able to understand in the moment, however, was why each team decided that they didn’t want the jammers to start jamming in that particular jam.
With 26:57 on the clock – IN THE FIRST HALF – Gotham leading Philly 14 – 0, the following jam took place (or didn’t, depending on your point of view).
The New and Improved Jammerless Jam (Video shot, produced, edited and posted by Blaze Streaming Media.)
Why did that happen? I can’t tell you for certain. What I do want to look at, though, is the messages that may or may not have been attempted to be sent by the jam you just witnessed. Understand, this is pure speculation on my part, as I was unable to ask the coaches or players any questions after the bout. Nonetheless, as a spectator and announcer, these are some of the messages I picked up on during that jam.
Gotham to Philly:
“Philly, we own you. We’re up 14 points already, you still haven’t scored, its still early in the first half, and, frankly, we don’t need to score anymore this bout, because it’s already in the bag. So, instead of piling onto our already insurmountable lead, we’re content to just run the clock. We came up with this brilliant strategy to burn two minutes off the clock, and not have the jammers cross the jam line. Unfortunately, this also requires YOUR blockers not to move forward and cause a split-pack. So, if you could just get caught up in trying to control the back of the pack with us, this strategy will work out brilliantly! Sincerely, Gotham Girls Roller Derby”
Philly to Gotham:
“Okay. We’re still hanging in there. We’re only down 14, and we still have 26:57 left to play in the first half. Wait! Why are you Gotham blockers lining up right in front of the jam line? WE wanted to line up right in front of the jam line! Fine. You can have the spot right in front of the jam line. We’re just going to line up right in front of you, and not cross the pivot line until we’ve taken over the back of the pack! Take that! Try outsmarting us, why don’t you? Sincerely, Philly Liberty Belles”
I understand that the evolution of strategy in nearly all sports throughout the years is predicated on bending or manipulating the current ruleset to try and gain an advantage. Sometimes the ruleset gets modified if a certain strategy is deemed abusive or against the spirit of the sport, sometimes they do not. Whether this situation is reason to revisit some of the ruleset will be up to the WFTDA to decide.
For Gotham, given their lead, the strategy of taking the very back of the pack made a small bit of sense – it didn’t matter whether the jammers ever got off the line or not, Gotham still had the lead. For Philly, playing into the hands of Gotham made no sense at all, other than to prove that they can be just as stubborn as Gotham, but with much more to lose.
The Teams to the fans:
“We know that most of you have been looking forward to this bout for months. We know that our storied history against one another is one of the most prolific rivalries in the WFTDA. We understand that we are two of the most prominent teams in the WFTDA, and that we’re playoff-bound teams once again. Though you might know us for our really solid hitting, fast skating, and intense action, we want you to love us for our brilliant strategies, too. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Sincerely, Gotham Girls Roller Derby and Philly Liberty Belles”
While this may have been the intended message, the actual translation of that message into sign language would have been a fist in which only the middle finger was extended. I don’t sincerely believe that this was the actual intent by either team. However, as someone in the building during the bout, there was a contingent of fans which received that message loud and clear.
In the end, Gotham once again proved their dominance, and the world continues to spin. Nothing to see here. Move along. Unfortunately, a good number of people did come to watch that bout in particular, and the number of fans that returned after half time was considerably smaller than the people in the stands prior to half time. The fact that the bout was a blowout didn’t help keep fans interest, but forcing a jam to not have active jammers didn’t help the situation. God forbid if these types of strategies are what we have to look forward to during the Big 5.