Roller Derby 2013 - Its clear!

I feel like I have been here so many times before, behind the Jammer line staring into a pack of 8 Blockers, or rather, staring right through a pack of 8 Blockers. Anticipation of the start makes the energy so high, the feeling is intense. This is what I thrive off. I love this feeling. A combination of excitement, anticipation's, nerves and not knowing whats about to happen next. For a handful of the 'fresh meat' girls on our team, it was there first game. I remembered my first game, a cloud of confusion with snippets of 'ah ha' moments.

Just under a year ago I played in my first Roller Derby bout. From there I never looked back. There is so much for me to love about this sport. A combination of power, agility, strength, speed, focus, strategy, teamwork and concentration. A game where you are constantly switching from offense to defense whilst rolling on eight wheels, alongside nine other players on the track. A 64 page rule book and seven officials calling the shots. Throw all that into the mix and it gives you enough things to think about!

Thinking is exactly the challenge. I believe all sports are won from the mind. Through 2012 I played an entire season around 10 bouts and more practice games. The thought process in Roller Derby can be complex. As a Jammer its easy, you have one goal, to get through the pack and score points. As a clean player you can avoid penalties without too much thought. As a Blocker however, the thought process is different. Your main goal is to stop the opposing teams Jammer from getting by. To do this you need to have strategies, you need to understand what strategies the opposing team is playing. You can also help your own Jammer or simply create chaos in the pack. Offense and defense switching constantly and being able to understand all this whilst taking and unexpected slamming hit from an opposing player.

Last year I felt up and down, from Jam to Jam. Sometimes switched on, reading the play and using this to my advantage. Whist other times were a cloud of confusion and unable to execute effective moves or understand what was happening on the track. Perhaps a mind block, or a rookie perspective? Could this be changed through mental imagery? visualization? supplements or energy drinks?

I have never been a big fan of energy drinks. Occasionally a Powerade to replenish my fluid at the end of activity. In this last week, I had been recommended a product, 100% natural that claimed to have the same effects as these 'energy drinks.' e+ a 60ml shot, I was told had natural caffeine, the amount that you would get from a cup of coffee derived from green tea and mate. My friend could not believe the mental clarity and focus it gave him. How alert he felt for hours after. Skeptical, but curious I vowed to try the shot in combination with my next Roller Derby bout.

So there we lined up for our first scrimmage of 2013. I am by no means and expert, but Id like to be. Which means I need to win this game from my mind. We had just driven 2 hours to get here and it was around 7.30pm. I had taken the shot about 10minutes earlier but right now I felt the same as every other time I lined up on the Jam line.

The blast of the whistle and away we went. I Jammed for the most part of the first half. Winning most and loosing some. I alternated in and out of the pack and found myself Blocking more in the second half. My mind had control, every play was clear. I understood this game inside and out. This never flagged. I could see strategies in play and how to counter them. Everything was clear. The entire game seemed like an 'ah ha' moment. If my physical skills had not been able to keep up, my mind knew what was going on. The feeling was incredible.

The learning curve this past year has been huge. A mixture of knowledge and better skills improved my game. But Im not a stranger to playing sport from the mind. The clarity and alertness I felt this game was amazing and ill be trialling the shot again. Along with several other products on offer.

Times are exciting in Roller Derby, before we know it the 2013 season will be upon us. I cant wait to play and improve and immerse myself in this sport. -Flash Fury

Picture curtsey of Crystal Hudson - Black Eyed Cherries

If you interested in finding out more about e+ please comment below and I will be in touch.