From Queen of the Rink:
http://www.queenoftherink.com/video-the-proper-way-to-destroy-a-slow-start/
Go ahead and watch the video first.
OK, my response to someone's link on Facebook:
What you have to pay attention is that Black wants a slow pack. They are killing time for their blocker in the box. Black keeps the pack start slow to eat penalty time for their blocker, who then comes in for a big hit. Unfortunately the title is misleading. Black isn't the one that wants to destroy the slow pack. Black wants the slow pack start. What's funny is that White seems completely unaware of it.
OK, now my two cents:
Queen of the Rink has published blogs on how the rules and referees have (negatively?) impacted the sport of roller derby. A proponent for traditional, forward-moving derby, the blog posted this video of someone "Destroying" a slow start.
There are plenty of ways to destroy a slow pack start, but they involve using rules that dictate pack structure, something many people argue is simultaneously ruining derby.
If someone wants to hate on "slow derby" don't use a video that actually promotes the use of "slow derby" to a distinct advantage. In the video, Black clearly wants a slow start to kill penalty time for their blocker who, upon her return to the track, blasts an opposing White player -- which starts the jammers and essentially giving the Black jammer a clear advantage and quick "lead jammer" designation.
I don't always think that "Slow derby" is the best thing in the world, but if a team can utilize both "Slow derby" and "Fast derby," they'll have a greater advantage over a team that only wants to play one way.
We don't practice "slow derby" or "fast derby." We break down pack situations and how we can control them. Sometimes it's via a slow pack speed and sometimes it's through a fast pack speed, but understanding both helps us utilize and hopefully hinder each.
(NOTE: I don't hate Queen of the Rink. I actually like it. The blog usually has pretty solid arguments for its opinions. This one just struck me as odd because the title is slightly misleading.)
(And maybe I'll put together a list of characteristics of slow derby and fast derby. Hmmm, blog idea?)
