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Monday, June 9, 2014

Absorption


Let's take a look at the clever one foot absorption trick that we picked up from Blizzard of Bristol Roller Derby and Team Finland. Blizz is a fly skater with devastating edging, as well as pinpoint contact and hitting skills.

From high level game play perspective, jammers being able to effectively use all four lanes of the track is the new black. The days of pushing only up the center may be numbered. However, being knocked out of bounds is still a sad - sad day. Learning to stabilize while edging, taking contact, and in transitions can help you to utilize a larger swath of the track.

Blockers can work not only to counter jammer on the edges, but can also use quick absorption and edging techniques to maintain or strengthen both defensive and offensive positioning.

"When you put all your weight into your outside edge and funnel the opposing blocker's strength into it, you get a phenomenal amount of grip you might not otherwise have when standing on all eight wheels. This move is a great way to muscle around blockers on the inside or outside lines; you can use the traction of your edges and the inherent curve of the track to send your body around an attacking blocker. You can also use your lifted leg to steer, for better control." -Artoo Detoonate | Roller Derby Junkies

Artoo has a great GIF showing absorption in mid crossover, which allowed the very talented Mace to absorb and ultimately edge out of contact from an opposing blocker.

Below is a video example of Artoo and I practicing absorption at the North East Derby Convention. The video illustrates the difficulty in taking contact while centered over both of your skates. With a small adjustment of shifting your weight onto your outside edge (lifting your inside foot) you can get an immediate improvement of absorbing and translating the force of your opponent into your own benefit.

If you have absorption videos, ideas, or strategies we would love to hear them!




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