Roller Derby bouts are played on a flat track with skaters wearing traditional quad roller skates. Teams compete head-to-head for two thirty-minute periods in which game play takes place in two-minute intervals known as jams. Each team consists of one jammer and four blockers.

During a jam, points can be accrued only by the designated jammer, who wears a helmet cover featuring a star.

Offense and defense occurs simultaneously. Blockers skate in a pack and have dual responsibilities of preventing the opposing jammer from scoring points while helping their own jammer score.

Jammers score points for each opposing skater they pass after lapping the pack once.

Referees call penalties on illegal actions made by skaters, and offending skaters are sent to a penalty box.

Whichever team earns the most points at the end of the final jam wins the bout.