Skaters communicate on the track with verbal calls, signals, and body language to stay in sync.

Communication wins games on the roller derby track. It isn’t all speed and hits; it’s a coordinated chorus that keeps skaters from bumping into chaos mid-jam. When the pack is moving fast, decisions have to be crisp, and every teammate needs to know what’s happening in real time. That’s why on the roller derby skills test, the emphasis isn’t just on skating technique. It’s on how well a team talks, signals, and shows intent without losing tempo.

The quick takeaway you want to carry from this is simple: the correct answer is B—Verbally with calls and signals as well as through body language. Skaters don’t rely on a single channel of communication. They blend talking, signaling, and movement to stay in sync, even when the crowd noise is deafening and the rink lights blur.

Why verbal calls matter more than you might think

Let me explain why those calls aren’t just noise in the background. Verbal cues are fast, flexible, and situational. A few short phrases can communicate a lot:

• Lead jammer calls: When one jammer breaks ahead, a quick “lead” or “I’ve got it” tells teammates to adjust the formation and cover lanes accordingly. That clarity can turn a near-miss into a clean scoring advantage.

• Position-specific instructions: A shouted “inside!” or “outside!” helps blockers time their blocks and for the pivot to pivot or the jammer to shift lanes without hesitation.

• Play adjustments: Alerts like “two to the inside,” “slip to the gap,” or “one up top” guide the pack through shifting walls and changing blockers’ assignments.

The trick is keeping calls short, crisp, and intelligible over the roar of the arena. You want calls that a teammate can hear, decode, and act on in a blink. And yes, some skaters mix in phrases that feel natural to their team’s rhythm. It’s not about sounding like a coach in a boardroom; it’s about catching the signal in the moment.

Seeing signals when the noise is loud

Verbal calls help, but in a crowded jam, you also need clean visual cues. Hand signals are the silent shorthand that can bridge the noise gap:

• Pointing for lane direction: A quick point toward the desired open lane tells blockers where to push the wall or where to anticipate the next scoring run.

• Open palms or flat hands: A team-wide signal to slow down or tighten up can help maintain structure as the jam clock ticks down.

• Two-finger taps on the helmet: A familiar, nonverbal alert that teammates recognize instantly, especially for a quick reset or a change of pace.

• Wristband or glove cues: Some teams tape simple symbols onto wrists or wear colored bands to convey a specific call, like switching to a two-wall formation or shifting to a different fore-aft alignment.

These cues aren’t a replacement for talking; they’re an enhancement. The visual language becomes especially valuable when skaters are shoulder-to-shoulder, skating at high speed, or when the arena’s buzz is drowning out voices.

Body language: what your hips, shoulders, and stance are saying

Body language is the unspoken contract of teamwork. It says “we’re in this together” even when a scream-filled crowd tries to distract you. Here are practical ways body language communicates intent on the track:

• Stance and shoulder angle: A slight lunge toward the inside or outside communicates which side your team intends to push through. This helps teammates anticipate your route and line up for a frictionless pass.

• Eye line and head movement: A glance toward a specific teammate or a head turn toward a lane can cue a follow-through play without shouting. It also helps the next skater know whether they should commit to a block or peel off.

• Body positioning in the wall: A synchronized shift of shoulders and hips tells the blockers that they’re matching tempo, not chasing a lone jammer. When the wall moves as a unit, misreads drop dramatically.

• Micro-movements that signal intent: A slight finger snap, a knee bend, or a sharpened lean can be a discreet signal that the pack is about to accelerate, slow, or adjust angles.

In roller derby, your body language should feel like a shared language—one that teammates instinctively understand as soon as you step onto the track.

Putting the three channels together for cohesion

Here’s the practical magic: verbal calls, hand signals, and body language work best when they’re integrated. Think of it as a three-layer communication system that keeps the team aligned no matter how wild things get.

• Layer 1: Verbal earns attention. Short calls grab a teammate’s focus and reduce ambiguity.

• Layer 2: Signals illustrate intent. The visual cues reduce the cognitive load, letting the brain process the play faster.

• Layer 3: Movement confirms the plan. The body’s position and movement seal the agreement, so everyone moves with the same tempo.

Teams that practice this blend stay in sync longer, adapt on the fly, and minimize mistakes that can cost a jam. It’s not just about being loud; it’s about speaking in a language that translates across roles—blockers, pivots, jammers, and even substitutes who step in with the same clarity.

Tips from the track floor: drills that sharpen multi-channel communication

If you’re exploring a roller derby skills test or any level where you’re evaluating communication, these drills help ingrain the right habits without losing tempo. They’re lightweight but surprisingly effective.

• Call-and-response speed rounds: In pairs, one skater calls a play (like “lead jammer” or “inside wall up”), and the partner responds with the action and a confirming signal. Do 60-second rounds, then swap roles. The aim is accuracy under pressure.

• Signal rotation drill: One side of the track uses hand signals for a given scenario (e.g., “switch lanes,” “slip through the gap”). The opposite side practices the same scenario using verbal calls. After a minute, switch roles. This builds fluency between channels.

• Body language test: Without talking, teams attempt a specific play using only positioning and micro-movements. Then add verbal calls and see how quickly the group returns to the intended pattern. This highlights how much nonverbal cues contribute to speed and precision.

• Scenario scrimmage with buzz: Create jam-like situations with noise, whistle cues, and variable blockers. Emphasize using all three channels to execute a plan. After each run, quick debrief: what came through loud and clear, what got tangled, what needs tweaking.

Common pitfalls—and how to fix them

No system is perfect right away. Here are the usual culprits and straightforward fixes:

• Overloading with calls: Too many commands can blur the signal. Keep calls short, specific, and repeatable. If a phrase isn’t instantly actionable, it belongs on the cutting room floor.

• Mismatched signals: If some players rely on wristbands while others prefer verbal cues, confusion creeps in. Standardize a simple set of visual signals across the team and rehearse them until they’re second nature.

• Body language that contradicts the plan: If your hips are pointed outside but you’re shouting “inside,” teammates will be torn between two cues. Consistency is king—train the body, then align the voice with it.

• Silent jams without intention: Going radio silent can be risky. When you cut out speech, you rely too heavily on signals that teammates may not be ready for. If you drop verbal calls, replace them with tight, practiced visuals and timely actions.

A note on team culture and tempo

Communication isn’t just a tool; it’s a cornerstone of team culture. Teams with a shared language move faster, read situations better, and bounce back from stumbles with less friction. The soundtrack matters as much as the strategy: the cadence of calls, the rhythm of signals, and the flow of body language create a tempo that keeps everyone in sync. And yes, a good jam can still feel like a conversation—one where everyone has a voice and every voice carries weight.

Real-world examples and what they look like in action

Let me offer a quick mental snapshot. You’re in a tight pack; the jam clock is ticking down. A blocker sees a lane opening and yells, “Inside!” A teammate nods, makes a quick signal to switch the wall, and pivots to support. The lead jammer calls out, “Hit the gap!” A precise stance and lean toward the inside lane seal the move, while the rest of the blockers shift to hold the edge. The jam ends with a clean pass, and the team breathes a collective exhale. It’s a small sequence, but it hinges on every channel of communication working together.

What this means for your roller derby experience

If you’re aiming to perform well on the roller derby skills test, or you’re just trying to raise your game on the track, prioritize building a robust, flexible communication system. Practice sessions that emphasize clarity over volume, precision over speed for signal delivery, and alignment between what you say and how you move. Your teammates will appreciate the predictability, and so will your coach, your rivals, and most of all, your fans who love a well-timed, well-executed jam.

Final thoughts: keep it multi-channel, keep it calm, keep it human

On the rink, you’ll hear a chorus of calls, see a hailstorm of signals, and feel the push of bodies moving in concert. That’s not random chaos—that’s communication in action. The right blend of verbal calls, visual cues, and body language makes the difference between a stumble and a sprint, between a fractured wall and a solid front. It’s the difference between a good team and a well-oiled machine.

So next time you lace up, think about your three channels. Talk clearly, signal cleanly, and move with intention. The track rewards teams that speak the same language—one that blends words, signs, and movement into one synchronized unit. If you can do that, you’re already miles ahead in the roller derby skills test, and you’re also likely to enjoy the ride much more with your squad.

Want a quick reminder? The winning approach is simple: verbal calls plus signals plus body language. Put them together, and you’ll see the track respond in kind.