When a roller derby period ends, a timeout may not guarantee another jam.

Jam Timing Unpacked: When a Timeout Isn’t a Backdoor to Another Jam

If you’re studying the rulebook and watching games with a careful eye, you’ve probably heard this question tossed around: True or False — if a Jam ends with less than 30 seconds on the period clock and there’s an Official Timeout, will there always be another Jam? The quick answer is False. The longer version helps you actually get how the timing works, because in derby, two clocks run the show: the jam clock and the period clock. And yes, the officials’ timeouts are a clock-stopping tool, but they don’t automatically keep the clock running forever or push in a new Jam at will.

Let me explain the timing tango

• Two clocks, two jobs. The jam clock tracks how long a single Jam lasts, while the period clock tracks the overall time left in the period. Skaters race against both, but the decision whether to start a new Jam isn’t made by the jam timer alone. It hinges on what the period clock says when the official timeout is handled.

• The countdown matters. When the period clock is already under 30 seconds, the moment a Jam ends, officials may call an Official Timeout. That pause stops the clock, but it doesn’t guarantee a new Jam will begin. If that timeout consumes the remaining time, the period can end before any new Jam is started.

• A timeout is a pause, not a door to more play. Think of it as a referee’s timeout: it buys a moment for strategy, injuries, or discussion, but the clock still has to show time left for another Jam to be possible. If there’s no time left after the timeout, the period ends.

A concrete scenario helps these ideas click

Imagine the period clock shows 28 seconds when the last whistle ends a Jam. The jam ends, the official calls a timeout, and the clock begins to tick down the timeout duration. If that timeout lasts for, say, 25 seconds, the period clock now shows 3 seconds remaining. The period finishes as soon as those last three seconds disappear, and there’s no chance for another Jam to start. There wasn’t enough time left on the clock to launch a fresh Jam after the timeout, so the period ends.

Now, what would make a new Jam happen after a timeout?

• If the timeout ends while there’s still time on the period clock — and the jam clock is ready — a new Jam can indeed begin. For example, if the period clock had 45 seconds left when the timeout started and the timeout lasts 10 seconds, there could still be 35 seconds left on the period clock. In that case, a fresh Jam would typically start unless other stoppages or penalties intervene.

• The key is “time left after the timeout.” If the clock hasn’t run out yet, a new jam can be on the way. If the clock has run dry, you’re done for the period.

What this means for skaters and game day know-how

• Don’t assume a timeout buys a new chance to jam. It can, but only if the period clock still has time after the timeout ends.

• Track the period clock like a hawk. If you notice it hovering around the 30-second mark or lower, you’ll understand why a timeout becomes a ticking clock in disguise.

• Officials have the last word. They control the cadence — the whistle, the timeout, the restart. It’s a team effort, but the clock is the boss.

How this shows up in real play

Fans love the drama of a last-minute jam, but the rule clarity often comes from watching the clock. For a skater, that clock awareness translates into decisions about risk and tempo. Do you push for a quick score now, or hold until you’re sure there will be another jam after a timeout? Coaches weigh these questions in real time, balancing aggression with caution.

A simple mental model you can keep in your head

• The jam clock is about one passing moment of action.

• The period clock is the overall timer for the game segment.

• An Official Timeout stops the period clock for a moment, but it only leads to another jam if, after the timeout ends, the period clock still has time left.

• If the period clock hits zero, the period ends, jam or no jam, regardless of what happened a moment before.

How to study this without turning it into a nerve-wracking puzzle

• Focus on a few anchor phrases. Phrases like “time left after timeout,” “period clock at or below zero,” and “new Jam starts only if time remains” can be your memory cues during a tough question.

• Use simple flow diagrams in your notes. A tiny chart that lines up: Jam ends → Official Timeout → clock ticks → check period clock → if time remains, start next Jam; if not, end period. A picture is worth a quick recall.

• Watch a clip or two with the clock visible. If you can, pause at the moment a timeout is called and note where the period clock sits. It’s easier to remember the rule when you’ve seen it in action rather than just read about it.

• Talk it out with a teammate or study buddy. A quick explain-to-me approach helps fix the logic in your brain, and you’ll catch little nuances you might miss on your own.

Real-world nuance you might not expect

• Not every Official Timeout is the same length. Some officials might stretch a moment longer for a strategic discussion, others move faster. The key is the clock, not the length of the timeout per se.

• There can be other stoppages that affect the timeline. Penalties, injuries, or official reviews can steal more time, so even if a timeout is planned, the window for a new Jam can close sooner than you think.

• Knowing the rule isn’t just for the test. It makes you a smarter player. When you know how the clock is likely to behave, you can keep your game calm under pressure and avoid bad timing.

Why this matters beyond trivia

Roller derby isn’t just about speed and strength; timing is a craft. The way the crew handles a short window, a timeout, and a restart tells you a lot about its rhythm. For skaters, it’s about reading the room: is the crowd hyped or tense? Is the bench calling for a comeback, or is it better to reset and wait for a cleaner moment? For officials, it’s about fairness and clarity — making sure every move is rooted in the clock and the rules, not in gut feeling.

A few friendly reminders for your mental checklist

• Always check the period clock first when the Jam ends and a timeout is called.

• Remember that a timeout is not a guarantee of a new Jam; it’s a pause in play that eats into the remaining time.

• If the clock shows zero before a new Jam can start, the period ends. There’s no encore when time is up.

• The test question we started with is a trick of timing, not a trick of willpower. True or False? False—because time itself decides the stage, not the desire for more action.

Bringing it back to the bigger picture

In roller derby, the clock is your constant companion, your most honest referee. The rule we explored isn’t about bugging you with fine print; it’s about how momentum, time, and strategy collide in a fast-paced sport. When you’re asked a True/False question about whether there will always be another Jam after a late end to the period with a timeout, your answer should hinge on the clock’s last standing: is there time left after the timeout to start a new jam? If not, the period ends, full stop.

If you’re building your own mental toolkit around this topic, think of it as three little pillars:

• Clocks matter: jam clock vs period clock, and how they interact with timeouts.

• Timeouts pause, not guarantee plays: they can extend the fun, but only if time remains afterward.

• Endings are clocked, not guessed: a period ends when the clock reaches zero, not when a certain number of jams have happened.

With these anchors, you’ll move through questions about timing with a steady cadence. The goal isn’t just to know the rule; it’s to feel confident in the rhythm of the game.

Final takeaway, crisp and clear

False. A late-ending period—less than 30 seconds left—paired with an Official Timeout does not automatically yield another Jam. The period clock must still show time after the timeout for a new Jam to begin. If it doesn’t, the period ends, even if a timeout just occurred. That’s the core truth you can carry onto the track, into the arena, and onto the page when the clock is the loudest voice in the room.