A scouting report reveals opponent strategies and shapes roller derby game plans.

Outline (skeleton)

• Opening: a quick nod to the roller derby track and the detective vibe of scouting reports

• What a scouting report is and why it matters

• What kinds of details live in a scouting report (opponent tendencies, key players, setup patterns, penalties and risks)

• How teams use the report to shape on-track actions (pre-bout planning, mid-bout adjustments, post-bout reflections)

• A practical look at creating and maintaining a scouting report (data sources, notes, and tidy summaries)

• A few real-world analogies to make the idea stick (sports, games, and everyday strategy)

• Common mistakes to avoid and how to fix them quickly

• Tools and resources you might use (video, spreadsheets, notes apps)

• Closing thought: the scouting report as a living guide, not a one-off document

What a scouting report is and why it matters

Let me explain the role of a scouting report in roller derby. If the bout is a chess match on wheels, the scouting report is the set of clues you gather about the other side. It isn’t about tallying who skates fastest or who racks up penalties—those are parts of the bigger picture, sure, but the real value lies in understanding the opponent’s tendencies. In plain terms, a scouting report provides insights into an opponent’s strategies. It helps a team anticipate what they’ll try next, spot weak spots to exploit, and adjust tactics on the fly when the action heats up.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t walk into a game blindfolded, hoping to read the other team’s moves in the moment. You’d want to know who to watch, what jams favor them, and where their brakes tend to squeak. A good scouting report turns that aimless curiosity into a practical game plan.

What kind of details live in a scouting report

A solid scouting report isn’t a dump of random notes. It’s organized, readable, and focused on practical takeaways. Here are the core elements you’ll see, often summarized in short bullets or tidy sections:

• Opponent playstyle and tempo

• Are they fast through the pack, or do they stall and slow the rhythm?

• Do they favor aggressive walling, or do they rely on quick cuts and pivots?

• Key players to watch

• Who are the impact skaters on offense and defense?

• What are their go-to moves, and when do they tend to surge or falter?

• Preferred formations and tactics

• Do they stack their wall in a particular lane?

• Are there favorite power-jam setups or specific jam-break patterns?

• Penalty tendencies and discipline

• Which players push the limit in certain situations?

• When do they tend to draw penalties, and how does that affect their lineup?

• Scenarios and response patterns

• How do they react when you disrupt their rhythm?

• Do they switch gears under pressure or double down on a familiar script?

The magic happens when these details aren’t just listed but understood as patterns. A report should connect the dots: “If we press early, they tend to panic in the back, which leads to missteps.” That kind of synthesis is what lets you turn data into decisions.

How teams use a scouting report to shape on-track actions

A scouting report isn’t a one-and-done document. It’s a living guide that informs both preparation and in-bout decisions. Here’s how it tends to flow:

• Pre-bout adjustments

• Skaters know where to direct their energy. If the report flags a weak blocker on the outside, you design attack lines that lure them into that zone.

• Coaches map out matchups. Which duo should hold a certain lane? Which jammer matchup might give you a carrying edge?

• In-bout adaptation

• The report gives you a sense of when to switch tactics. If the other team over-commits to a particular pattern, you can pivot to exploit the opening.

• Quick notes, shared aloud, help the bench respond faster. A few key phrases—“watch the outside wall,” “jam for power”—keep everyone aligned.

• Post-bout reflections

• After the heat is over, you compare what happened with what the report predicted. That feedback loop helps sharpen both the data and the instincts for the next bout.

A practical look at creating and maintaining a scouting report

If you’re new to this idea, think of it like keeping a well-organized playbook. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be useful. Here are practical steps you can adopt:

• Start with video and live observations

• Clip bouts or scrimmages focusing on the opponent’s key moments: power jams, wall formations, and quick pivots.

• Note when and where they tend to break formation or reset tempo.

• Capture patterns, not just moments

• It’s tempting to chase spectacular plays, but the power lies in patterns. Do they habitually rely on a certain corner pass? Do they hesitate at a specific jam line?

• Build concise summaries

• Create short sections for each opponent: “Tempo,” “Key players,” “Wall tactics,” “Penalty profile,” and “Risks.” Keep it readable so anyone can skim and grab the main points.

• Link data to drills or focus areas

• Translate the report into concrete on-track focuses. If the report notes weakness on their inside line, put drills that sharpen your inside lane pressure on the agenda.

• Keep it accessible for the team

• Share in a central spot where skaters can reference it during prep or warm-ups. A simple, searchable document is gold.

Real-world analogies to anchor understanding

Think of a scouting report like a weather briefing before a long road trip. You want to know:

• The forecast for the day (what kinds of jams and strategies to expect)

• The tricky stretches (the specific tactics that could push you off your rhythm)

• The best routes (the counter-moves or formations that give you the upper hand)

And you want those notes to be easy to reference—no hunting through filing cabinets mid-skirmish. It’s about staying two steps ahead, not guessing.

Common mistakes to avoid (and quick fixes)

Even the best teams slip up. Here are a few pitfalls and simple remedies:

• Too noisy or vague notes

• Swap long mind dumps for crisp bullets. Actionable items beat generalities every time.

• Overreliance on a single opponent’s success

• Balance the report with a snapshot of several bouts or scrimmages. Diversity of data guards against tunnel vision.

• Underestimating the value of small details

• A tendency to ignore minor moves can cost you later. A quick note like “they push in late jam, open space on the far side” can influence a whole sequence.

• Taking the data as gospel

• Remember: in derby, momentum, fatigue, and momentary misreads matter. Use the report as a guide, not a script.

Tools and resources you might use

You don’t need a heavy setup to start building a solid scouting system. Some handy options include:

• Video platforms and editors

• YouTube for clips, or a private stash on Google Drive or Dropbox. Lightweight editors help you tag important moments.

• Spreadsheets or note apps

• Google Sheets or Excel for tidy checklists; OneNote or Notion for flexible, searchable notes.

• Quick collaboration

• A shared document or a simple chat thread so the team can add observations from different eyes.

• Real-world references

• Local leagues, coach clinics, and published tutorials from established roller derby communities. The best tricks often travel by story as much as by stats.

A few thoughtful, human touches to keep it relatable

Here’s the thing: a scouting report isn’t just data. It’s a lens that helps skaters read the track like a page of clues. When the coach points out a pattern and the team nods in agreement, you feel that sense of shared purpose. It’s a subtle mix of strategy and swagger—knowing you’ve spotted the subtle edges your rivals leave exposed, and trusting your crew to push through with coordinated effort.

If you like a quick mental model, picture this: you’re at a busy street corner with a clear view of the flow of pedestrians. You notice a handful of people who always drift toward the right-hand curb, another crew who bunch up near the crosswalk, and a couple who cut diagonally across. Put those observations into your scouting report, and you start predicting where the next juke or jolt might come from. Your team moves with a bit more ease, a bit less chaos, and a little more confidence.

Putting it all together: a scouting report as a living guide

The idea isn’t to fill a page with numbers or to memorize every minor move. It’s to embed a practical awareness of how opponents tend to operate and to keep that awareness fresh. In roller derby, habits matter. A good scouting report helps you see those habits clearly, adjust your approach, and then watch those adjustments pay off in real time.

So, what is the purpose of a scouting report? It’s to provide insights into an opponent’s strategies. It’s to give you a sturdy lens for preparation, to sharpen focus during the bout, and to fuel smarter decisions after the whistle. It’s a collaborative tool that grows with every bout you study, every game you break down, and every pattern you learn to spot on the track.

If you haven’t started building one yet, consider starting small: a single-page summary for your next opponent, with a few bullets under tempo, formations, and a couple of standout players. Keep it readable, keep it relevant, and keep it attached to the moments that matter on the track. Before you know it, you’ll have a living guide that helps your team ride the pace, read the moves, and stay one step ahead when the crowd roars and the wheels scream past.

Final thought

A scouting report isn’t a magic wand. It’s a practical tool, born from watching, noting, and talking through what you see. It helps you translate observation into action, turning data into decisive moments on the track. And in roller derby, decisive moments can be the difference between a hard-earned win and a tough loss. So invest a little time, keep it tight, and let the insights travel with you from warm-ups to the final whistle.