Old School Myths and Realities

Since the Demons have become affiliated with OSDA, we’ve heard our share of myths through the grapevine! Some people haven’t the slightest idea of what OSDA is, and so the rumors fly! Here are a few of the most popular and some of the most outrageous rumors we’ve heard about OSDA, and what OSDA is really all about.  What have you heard lately?

1. OSDA is Co-Ed Only

Not so! OSDA allows for 4 different types of games: all women, all men, co-ed, and old school style (alternating periods of all men and all women, creating a four period game).

2. OSDA allows for wrestling

OSDA frowns on any kind of fighting during a game. The crowd should come for the awesome skating; not to see a fight.

3. OSDA is fake

OSDA never stages games or jams or anything.

4. OSDA is cigar smoker owned

OSDA is not owned nor sponsored by any cigar company or affiliate.

5. OSDA hates WFTDA

OSDA has no problem with WFTDA or WFTDA leagues; they just have a different version of playing the game, and invite others to learn about it.

6. OSDA steals players

Nope. OSDA is simply offering an alternative association to WFTDA with a rule-set that includes men and that is designed to be easily transferred to a banked track setting.

7. OSDA is unsafe

OSDA’s rules allow for different and more types of legal blocks, however, in an OSDA game, a skater is penalized a minute for EACH rule infraction. Therefore, while there are more legal moves available to skaters, any unsafe interaction constituting a foul is more strictly penalized.

8. OSDA is dirty

OSDA is a different type of game with different rules. If you’re used to playing WFTDA and want to play a game using OSDA rules, I HIGHLY suggest you read through them first, and perhaps watch an OSDA game.  The players aren’t dirty; the game is just different.

9. OSDA is banked track only

OSDA rules are designed to be relevant to flat-track and banked-track games.

10. OSDA is men only

This is simply un-true, and was covered in question one.

11. OSDA is a greedy corporation

12. OSDA is men run and for profit

OSDA is currently registered as a LLC, but is in the process of becoming a non-profit. Despite its status, any money made is invested back into OSDA to help it build & grow just like many of the DIY leagues out there. All board members of OSDA work on striclty a volunteer basis and run the organization for their love of the sport.   The OSDA, however, inducts leagues that are both non-profit and for profit.

13. OSDA is spandex, alligators and figure 8 tracks

This is one of the more outrageous myths. Most OSDA skaters wear t-shirts and shorts (or skirts), and the track is an oval, just a little bigger than the WFTDA track. The track specifications are here. There are no alligators involved.

14. OSDA is RollerJam.

No, OSDA is roller derby.

15. OSDA is dead.

Nope, OSDA is going strong and has a bright future!

16. OSDA rules are too small.

OSDA rules are shorter than WFTDA rules. Roller derby is a GAME.  It doesn’t need to get too complicated.

17. OSDA has weird passing the star rules

I’m not sure where this even came from, because in OSDA, you don’t pass the star at all.

18. OSDA let’s pivots jam anytime

OSDA rules allow the pivot to jam when that team’s jammer either cannot get out of the pack, or is not in play (such as when he/she is in the penalty box). This way, there are always 2 jammers, and therefore an interesting jam. Please view the OSDA rules for more details on pivot jamming.

If you can’t find the answers here, send us an email, and get the answers from the source, instead of through the grapevine!

OSDA