Star pass in roller derby: how the jammer hands off the star to the pivot to keep scoring

Star Pass: the quick switch that keeps the jam rolling

Let’s talk about a move you’ll hear buzzing around tracks and practice halls alike: the star pass. If you’re watching roller derby with any level of attention, you’ve probably seen a jammer suddenly hand off the star helmet cover to the pivot and keep skating—sometimes weaving through blockers, sometimes sprinting for a clean lane. That moment is a star pass in action, and it’s one of those clever, momentum-shifting plays that makes derby feel like a fast game of chess on wheels.

Star Pass 101: who’s involved and what it does

• The players: two key roles anchor this move. The jammer is the one who scores points by racing around the track. The pivot is the jammer’s counterpart among the blockers—usually the strongest, most versatile tester of gaps in the opposing wall.

• The star helmet cover: the star is attached to the jammer’s helmet. When it’s time to switch, the star gets handed off, and the pivot puts the star on their own helmet to become the new jammer.

• The result: the team doesn’t lose its scoring chance. The pivot, now the jammer, continues to score points and navigate the pack. The original jammer drops back into a blocker’s role, contributing to defense and block-through, while the star is with the new scorer.

Here’s the thing people miss if they only glance at a highlight reel: the star pass isn’t a mere handoff. It’s a coordinated moment that reshapes who’s responsible for scoring and who’s disrupting the opponent. It’s a strategic reset, not a gimmick.

How the move unfolds on the track

Imagine you’re in the thick of a jam and the pack is a moving wall. The jammer is piling through, but then a lane tightens, or a penalty slows you down. That’s a cue to consider a star pass. The sequence typically looks like this:

• Read the room. The jammer signals that a switch makes sense—this could be because the pack is stacked, a blocker is peeling off to penalize, or the pivot has a better angle to score.

• The handoff. The jammer grips the star helmet cover and guides it into the pivot’s hands. It’s not a casual drop; it’s a controlled transfer that keeps the star secure so it can be attached to the pivot’s helmet without a misstep.

• The switch flips. The pivot, now wearing the star, shifts into jammer mode. They’re tasked with navigating around the opposing blockers and racking up points, just like a regular jammer.

• The new dynamic. The former jammer slides into a blocking role, adding strength to the defense or helping to slow the pack when needed. The whole team benefits from an extra layer of flexibility.

If you’re curious about the timing, think of it as a moment when the team’s plan needs a fresh scorer who can exploit a different angle. It’s less about speed and more about adaptability.

Why teams rely on it (even beyond sheer spectacle)

• Maintaining scoring momentum. When the regular jammer struggles to break through or picks up a penalty, the star pass preserves the chance to rack up points rather than stalling the jam.

• Exploiting a favorable match-up. Some jammers simply glide through a particular wall better than others. Passing the star to the pivot who can tackle that same wall from a different angle keeps the offense dynamic.

• Respecting penalties and penalties readiness. If the jam is in a tricky moment, switching to a pivot who’s ready to sprint through a hole can be the difference between a short score and a big one.

• Team-wide flexibility. The star pass shows a team’s depth—blockers who can reset to offense and a jammer who can swap roles without losing tempo.

What can go wrong (and what to watch for)

• The transfer isn’t clean. If the star isn’t securely handed off or the pivot isn’t wearing the star cleanly, the move can stall or cause confusion in the pack.

• The pivot isn’t in position. A pivot who isn’t ready can waste precious seconds and give the opposing team a chance to reset their defense.

• Pack dynamics shift mid-transfer. If the blockers don’t create enough space, the pass can become a clumsy moment rather than a smooth switch.

• Penalties and rule checks. The move has to stay within the rules, so any misstep during the handoff or during the switch can invite penalties or a whistle to stop the jam.

Real-world feel and an analogy you’ll recognize

Star passes are like a quarterback faking a handoff and then pulling the ball back to run himself, only this time the ball is a star and the field is a banked track full of skates. It’s about timing, trust, and reading the other team’s defense in real time. It’s exciting to watch because it shows how a team can shift gears mid-play without grinding to a halt.

Practical cues for players who want to line it up cleanly

• Communication is everything. The jammer and pivot should have a quick signal language—eye contact, a light touch, a concise verbal cue. The more precise the signal, the smoother the handoff.

• Hands and grip matter. The transfer should be secure, with both players aware of where the star is and how it moves. A loose grip invites a mishap and a stoppage.

• Keep the hips and balance intact. As the pivot takes the star, they should be ready to accelerate, not stumble through a poor angle. Smooth transitions beat bursts that fizzle out.

• Read the blockers. The best star passes happen when blockers aren’t crowded around the path. Clear lanes equal faster, cleaner handoffs.

• Remember the goal. The star pass isn’t about showing off. It’s about sustaining scoring opportunities and keeping your team in the game when the usual plan hits a snag.

A few drills to sharpen the move (without turning this into a drill manual)

• Mirror handoff drill. Pair up: jammer and pivot face each other with the star. The jammer practices handing off the star to the pivot, who then acts as the new jammer and tries to score a lap or two while the original jammer returns to a defensive stance. Do several rounds to build rhythm.

• Timing and spacing drill. Set up a small cone lane representing a “hole” in the pack. The pivot practices entering that lane just as the jammer signals for the handoff. The goal is a clean exchange and immediate scoring movement after the switch.

• Pack pressure scenario. Have a group of blockers press the line while a jammer attempts a star pass. The focus is on keeping the exchange clean under pressure and avoiding penalties.

• Quick decision drill. The jam begins, and the coach calls out “star pass” or “no star pass.” The players must respond with speed and clarity—no hesitations, just a crisp action.

• Signal practice. A short, nonverbal cue becomes a routine. The players practice eye contact and a light touch that communicates the switch without tipping off the other team unnecessarily.

A note on flow and rhythm

On a real track, the tempo isn’t always high-speed chaos. It’s composed, almost musical, with occasional bursts of sprinting energy. The star pass is a moment where the tempo changes—sometimes calmer, sometimes a sprint—yet it’s always tied to the team’s understanding of space, timing, and intent. Watching a well-executed star pass gives you a sense of how a good team converts a potential setback into a fresh opportunity.

Tying it back to the bigger picture

Roller derby thrives on adaptability. The star pass embodies that spirit: it acknowledges that a plan can stall, but the game isn’t over. A smart team knows when to switch, who is best suited to lead the next scoring push, and how to keep everyone engaged in both offense and defense. The move isn’t just a technical fixture; it’s a statement about how players trust each other to read the track, react to pressure, and make bold, precise moves in the heat of a jam.

If you ever find yourself at the edge of a pack, watching a teammate take the star and switch roles, you’ll know why the star pass is celebrated. It’s a small action with a big impact, a reminder that in roller derby, thinking on your feet is as important as skating fast.

In short: a star pass is a maneuver where the jammer passes the star helmet cover to the pivot. The pivot becomes the new jammer, keeping the scoring train moving and giving the team a fresh way to approach the defense. It’s a crisp, confident play that shows resilience, coordination, and a little bit of on-track artistry. And if you’ve felt that moment on the track—when everything clicks and the jam keeps rolling—then you’ve felt the true heartbeat of derby in action.