MARCH 5th, 2023
10:00am - Noon
Great Skate
We’re looking for Rookies! The Arizona Derby Dames are holding tryouts for the only banked track roller derby league in Arizona, and we want you to join! Haven’t been to roller derby tryouts? Watch our video:
At tryouts, you’ll need:
Tryout Fee: $10.00 (covers skate rentals).
Water! Skating gets sweaty… stay hydrated!
Wear comfortable exercise clothes (sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts).
ID, such as a driver’s license.
A commitment to learn and grow, with a positive attitude.
At tryouts, your basic skating skills, teamwork, and more, will be assessed by our trainers, captains, and managers. Even if you only have basic skating skills, we encourage you to tryout!
Note: Please don’t purchase skates or safety gear before trying out. AZDD has recommendations and safety requirements for banked track roller derby, and we don’t want you buying expensive gear that doesn’t meet those standards.
You're a Rookie!
Once you pass tryouts, you’ll join Rookies, which is 24-weeks of training, practice, and skills assessments, at the Hall of Dames.
Your Rookie period will be a chance to get to know the Arizona Derby Dames, and for us to get to know you. We want to make sure we’re a good fit for each other.
You’ll also receive guidance and advice on skates and protective gear.
- 03/12/2023
Orientation
and Fitness Test
No skating equipment is needed for this session. Please be dressed to workout and bring water. This is held the Sunday following tryouts, 10:00 am.
- 03/19/2023
First Practice
on Skates
Two weeks after tryouts, we’ll hold your first practice on skates. You should have all of your gear by this day.
- 12 WEEKS
Sundays
9:30am - 12:15pm
Wednesdays
6:30pm - 8:00pm
The first 10-weeks of practices and training. You’ll learn useful techniques for success and safety in banked track roller derby.
- 12 WEEKS
Sundays
11:45am - 3:00pm
Thursdays
7:30pm - 9:00pm
The next 12-weeks of practices and training. Your progress will be assessed, as you move closer to becoming an Arizona Derby Dame.
Skills Test
At the end of rookie training you’ll take a skills test, designed to make sure you can compete safely in bouts. Not only is your safety important to us, we also want to make sure you’re safe with other Derby Dames to skate with.
The Draft!
When you’ve passed tryouts and shown your commitment to roller derby and the league, you’ll be drafted to one of our home teams: the Bombshells, Brutal Beauties, Coffin Draggers, Doomsday Valkyries, Runaway Brides, or Schoolyard Scrappers.
Once you’ve been drafted to a team, expect to attend a minimum of one team practice per week, and one league practice per week.
You're an Arizona Derby Dame!
Your Rookie period was a chance for you to get to know AZDD, and for us to get to know you. Now that you’re an Arizona Derby Dame, we want you to grow – as a person, a skater, and a member of our community.
#MFT
AZDD is an amazing community of women, men, and kids, dedicated to the growth of women through athletics and the sport of roller derby.
Besides participating in practices and scrimmages, Arizona Derby Dames are expected to attend meetings, promotional events and appearances, and help with bout production.
If you have any questions, please check below or email [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
When are tryouts held?
We hold tryouts at least twice a year. Bookmark this page, or follow AZDD on Facebook or Instagram, for word when tryout dates are announced.
Who can be an Arizona Derby Dame?
Women must be 18 or older to skate with AZDD. If you have skated with another league, and have relocated to Phoenix, we’d love to see you at tryouts!
Girls ages 10-17 are welcome to tryout for the Minor Assaults, through AZDD Inspire.
What can I expect at tryouts?
You’ll fill out an information sheet, and be interviewed by AZDD trainers, captains, or managers, and have a chance to ask them questions you may have.
You’ll be tested for basic teamwork, skating ability, safely stopping and slowing, and falling down – we’ll teach you how to fall properly for roller derby.
What will be assessed?
You don’t have to be game-ready! While we’ll assess your current skating skills, we value commitment, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude, at tryouts more than skating skills.
We’ll assess your basic ability to skate on a rink, and potential to learn how to skate on a banked track.
We want to see you move forward steadily on skates, slow down or stop using wheels/toe stops, ability to follow instructions, and that you’re not afraid to fail – or fall down!
(We’ll teach you how to properly fall down!)
Who can attend?
Tryouts are closed to spectators, including friends and family. This removes the pressure of an audience so we stay focused on tryouts.
What does it cost to tryout?
We have a $10 tryout fee, which includes skate rentals and some safety equipment. Please feel free to bring your own if you have it!
What should I bring to tryouts?
$10 application fee.
Water – you’ll be exercising, and we encourage you to stay hydrated.
Identification (for age verification and that you’re a resident of Arizona).
How much does derby gear cost?
We recommend that you don’t purchase your gear for tryouts. We have safety requirements for our style of skating, and want to ensure your gear meets those standards.
Expect to invest a minimum of $350 for your gear, including skates, indoor and outdoor wheels, helmet, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, mouth guards, and eventually your team uniform.
Can I help even if I don’t skate?
Yes! AZDD is a community more than just skaters. We have bout production staff, non-skating officials, announcers, audio/video, coaching, photographers, and other opportunities to be part of AZDD.
If you’d like to help the Regulators (our referees), they’re accepting new volunteers for on-skates and off-skates roles, such as penalty tracking, eyes in the sky, and more.
