NEW SKATERS

SO YOU WANT TO PLAY ROLLER DERBY?

Our Roller Derby Freshie Session might be the place for you!

FRESHIE SESSIONS is a 12-week program where you can learn how to skate and play roller derby or become a referee. At the end of the program we’ll see who’s ready to join a team! From newbies who have never put on a pair of skates, to athletes who have been skating their whole life but just heard about this crazy thing called “roller derby”, our Freshie Sessions are the perfect place to start! No skating experience required.

Freshie Sessions occur twice a year, and practices are Sundays 5:00pm-7:00pm at The Cage - 11455 Magnolia Blvd, NoHo, CA

Questions? DM us or email recruits@sfvrollerderby.com  

Photo by Robert “OldHCDude” Cortez

WHAT DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR A FRESHIE SESSION?

  • Be at least 18 years of age

  • Vaccinated against Covid-19

  • RSVP to recruits@sfvrollerderby.com

  • Lots of water, comfortable clothing, and a mouthguard

  • OPTIONAL -- Skates and/or protective gear. Loaner skates and pads are provided on a first come-first serve basis.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN A FRESHIE SESSION?

  • Basic skating

  • Falls and safety

  • Jumps

  • T-stops and plow stops

  • Transitions

  • Blocking

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I FINISH MY 12-WEEK FRESHIE SESSION?

You show off your new skills! At the end of each Freshie Session, all our Freshies skate in a themed “Expo Bout” with the rest of our newer skaters (and their new friends!). This Expo Bout is a great way to show your family and friends how much you’ve grown since you started skating with SFV.

After they complete the 12-week Freshie Session, Freshies will also take a basic assessment before they “graduate” to practice and scrimmage with the rest of the league, and play on one of our Travel Teams. 

If you don’t pass your skills assesment, you’re still part of the family! It usually takes skaters more than one Freshie Session to be ready to skate with our Travel Teams safely, but that’s part of the process!

MEET OUR FRESHIE TRAINERS

HOT TATI

Hot Tati started playing derby in 2010 for the Kansas City Jr Roller Warriors. In 2016, she aged up to adult home teams and played one season (with her mom on an opposing team!) before heading down to college in Austin where she played on Texas Rollergirls' rec team. In 2019 she joined SFV Roller Derby and played on the Like OMGs for 3 years post pandemic before retiring in 2024 to begin coaching full time. Tati has been coaching for nearly a decade, including juniors teams, D2 travel teams, and most recently, being the Head Freshie Trainer at SFV for the last 3 (or so) years!

XENA WARRIOR SKATETRESS

At the end of 2015, Xena laced up skates for the very first time and rolled into the SFV Freshie program in search of community (and a workout she didn’t hate). A true Bambi on wheels, she wobbled, learned, and laughed her way up to the B team, proving that determination and a positive attitude can get you to your goals.

In 2019, she coached her first Freshie team and discovered a love for training. Since then, she’s become affectionately known as the “Freshie Auntie,” mentoring brand-new skaters with equal parts encouragement and tough love. Xena currently works alongside the Freshie Training Head to help shape, support, and hype up the next generation of SFV Roller Derby skaters.

KILLO KITTY’S FOUR BASIC RULES FOR BEGINNERS

  1. Skate with the knees bent and low. Remember: the taller you are, the less control you have! When in doubt, get lower!

  2. If you fall, get up quick! There is usually someone right behind you and we don’t want to trip anyone. And you can't play roller derby effectively from the ground. 

  3. Never EVER reach out and grab someone! If you feel like you're falling, grab your kneepads. If you do fall, fall small!

  4. Don’t be embarrassed when you fall. Derby is all about knocking each other over. If we have an ego about it, we won’t be able to absorb this wonderful game and all it has to offer. Every fall means you're getting better!

We play at THE CAGE
11455 Magnolia Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601