On the left, in the stripes. That's me, just a few months into officiating. The game is likely in Elmyra NY, Dolls of Destruction vs. Suquehanna Valley Derby Vixens. Wait - there’s officials in roller derby? I hear it all the time. And you’re probably thinking it, if not saying it. My canned spiel is: “Yes, there are approximately 20 officials per game, on skates and off. Officials time penalties, keep score, keep lineup and stats info, and then there are the on-skates ones

Since 2013 I’ve watched people, including myself, learn a complicated performance skill without a beginning-to-end training curriculum or formal mentorship. Some people thrive. Some don’t. I want to examine why, as this is my experience as… a roller derby official. Yes, roller derby!