When are tryouts?

2024 tryouts took place on Oct 23, 2023, from 7-9 PM at LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park.

If you are a skater with another league interested in transferring, please contact transfers@ggrd.nyc for more information.

Tryouts for 2025 will be announced later in 2024. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about future tryouts.

What are tryouts?

There are three steps.

In the initial tryout, you will be evaluated on skates with a small group of skaters. After this step, there will be a cut.

Skaters who make the first cut will participate in a call back session that is both on skates and includes a very brief interview. After this, there will be another cut.

Skaters who make the second cut will enter a four week training period. At the end of this probationary period, a third cut will happen.

Selected skaters will then go on to the official three month training phase to become full members of Gotham.

Am I eligible to be a Gotham skater?

Gotham welcomes cisgender, transgender and intersex women and gender non-conforming participants over the age of 18. Those aged 6-17 are eligible to join our Juniors program. 

Do I have to be a seasoned skater to try out?

Not necessarily. Being a member of Gotham is a lot more than just being a good skater. Yes, we will primarily be looking for skating skills, but we also look at your athletic potential.

If you have skated with an actively competing league at least 80 miles away from NYC for a minimum of one year, and you have been an active skater within the last six months, you may be eligible to transfer into Gotham outside of the yearly tryout. Please contact transfers@ggrd.nyc for further eligibility requirements.

How can I get ready for tryouts?

Throughout the year, we offer different levels of training in Gotham's Basic Training. We will also be holding two pre-tryouts boot camps in May.

Roller derby is a sport that takes lots of endurance. Working on cardio and strengthening your quads, glutes and core muscles will help you to be ready for tryouts.

Additionally, there are a few rinks in the New York City area with open hours for the public where you can work on your skating basics such as the Riverbank State Park in upper Manhattan and Lakeside Rink in Prospect Park.

Finally - get to know us! Come see our games. Get to know the rules. Signup for our newsletter to keep up with our activities. Volunteer to find out how we pull it all together.

What do I need to be able to do at tryouts?

You will need to have strong basic skating skills. Some of the things we will be evaluating in tryouts are:

Basic skills:

• Forward skating using crossovers

• Power stride (getting the most out of each push)

• Gliding on one foot at a time

• Balance

• Squats

Derby Skills:

• Skating low

• Plow Stop

• T-stop

• Blocking strength

• Ability to fall in a safe and controlled manner

Endurance:

• Number of laps in two minutes

Other:

• Positive attitude

• Basic knowledge of the sport

• Ability to listen and apply new knowledge

• Ability to pick up new skills quickly

• Time commitment and availability

What equipment will I need for tryouts and Basic Training?

Every skater is required to wear a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, a mouth guard and quad roller skates. We do not loan out gear for tryouts.

All skaters must provide proof of vaccination and agree to comply with COVID and other safety protocols. Masks must be worn on the track.

Will I be put on a team if I'm selected at tryouts?

Skaters who are selected to join the League will begin a three-month training period that will culminate with a skills test and a written rules test. Once training is completed (and you've passed both tests) you'll be drafted to a team and you can declare your derby name and number.

How much of a commitment is required to be a Gotham skater?

You will be expected to attend league and team practices. The minimum requirement in order to remain an active skater is 10 practice hours per month for Diamond District skaters, and more for home team skaters.

In addition to making practice attendance, everyone is required to work at bouts and other official events. We are a skater run organization, so we also require you to work on a committee and attend meetings to remain an active member. Additionally, skaters are required to pay monthly dues that help to pay for the League's operational costs.

Despite the time commitment, any skater will tell you that it is completely worth it. And you instantly have over 90 siblings in New York City and many more in the 1800+ leagues around the world!

If being a skater isn't the best fit for you right now, there are plenty of ways to be a part of the action: Volunteer to work at a bout, join our awesome Jeerleaders, or become an official.

Are there a lot of injuries?

Injuries happen, but we work to prevent them by specific that includes injury-preventative exercises. As mentioned above, full protective gear is required for all skaters. Although primary health insurance is not currently required if you want to skate with us, it is still strongly recommended. For Gotham's insurance purposes, you will be required to sign a waiver for tryouts.

If I have more questions, who do I ask?

Please feel free to email us at tryouts@ggrd.nyc. We hope to see you on the track!