most perfect man on this earth.
Let’s get quizzical…
We can now confirm all the details for our pub quiz at GwdiHw Cafe Bar on Sunday 10 June - EXCITING TIMES!
We’re really looking forward to be doing something a bit different (it’s different for us, we know pub quizzes have happened before) and to hopefully getting to know some of our wonderful fans and supporters a bit better with some drinks and quizzy fun-times.
I posted this video towards the end of last year but it it is super good for working on your core strength and honing all of those muscles used in keeping your balance.
This is super important for derby and I recommend that all newbies and anyone thinking of taking up roller derby get cracking on these exercises in order to build up the muscles that you will be using the most once you start to play.
These exercises should work your legs and hips and will really test your core strength!
The beginning of the video explains the stances that can be used when trying balance exercises, so choose the stance that challenges you the most but which you can still (just about) do. You will need to watch the video to get a proper explanation of each exercise which are as follows:
Exercise 1 - Leaning with arms outstretched
Exercise 2 - Following your finger up, down, side to side
Exercise 3 - Forward to back leg swing
Exercise 4 - Side to side leg swing
Exercise 5 - Rotating leg swing
I suggest doing 10 reps of each exercise on each side and completing 3 sets of the whole routine.
For those of you who may want to make this into more of workout and get your heart rate up I would throw in a minute of cardio in between each set, like so:
Opening Interval: 1 minute jogging
Set 1: 10 reps left and 10 reps right of each exercise
Interval: 1 minute ‘can-can’ (as in show girl style - enjoy yourself!)
Set 2: 10 reps left and 10 reps right of each exercise
Interval: 1 minute jumping jacks
Set 3: 10 reps left and 10 reps right of each exercise
Interval: 1 minute skipping (with or without jump rope)
Happy balancing! :)
Well its been 2 years…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIGER BAY BRAWLERS!!
Im So happy to be to be part of such an amazing team. I love the Tiger Bay Brawlers so much. They literally changed my life. Playing roller derby has made me care about my body. What i put into my body and how i look. Having something that makes me so happy is just amazing!!
Can’t wait for many more years of playing and spending time with such an amazing bunch of girls!!
BRAWER LOVE
by Sweetart
You’re in the last 15 minutes of the bout and your team is down in points. How do you react?
Do you give up?
Do you decide that your team has lost when the game isn’t over yet?
Are you imagining how refreshing that beer will be at the afterparty?
If so, those thoughts can actually cause you to lose. Your thoughts can manifest into reality.
Every skater makes a decision when they see that we are down and it is getting close to the end of the game.PLAY HARDER or GIVE UP
Have you ever noticed a team can be neck and neck the entire game and at some point there is a momentum shift and one team will jump out ahead in points? What is happening here?
When you eliminate problems with endurance or injuries what you have left is a break down in a team’s mental game.An athlete’s performance is about 40% physical and 60% psychological. Some experts say the mental aspect of performance is even higher. It is important to keep the concept of winning and losing in perspective. Wins and losses are not absolute values.
When does winning mean the most?
• when you beat a team that is equal to or better than your team
• when your team plays their bestWhen is a win not as significant?
• when you beat a weaker team
• when you played dirty to winWhen is a loss the most devastating?
• when you don’t play your best
• when you lose against a team that isn’t as good as your teamWhen is losing not so bad?
• when you lose to a better team
• when your team plays its best to the very last whistleOf course, it’s the final points that go down in the records. So…how to keep yourself and your team in the game when you are losing:
• Get your game face on. A skater’s non-verbal communication, her body language, facial expressions, etc make up 60-70% of her message. Look aggressive by putting your body into a low, wide stance. This will tell the other team that you are still in the game. You are not easy prey. Nothing signals giving up like a jammer who is skating tall and not pushing forward. Acting as if you are still fighting will deliver that message to your own brain as well. Like the saying goes, “Fake it until you make it!”
• Turn on your mantra. A person can only think about two or three things at a time. You can choose what those things are. Repeating phrases in your head like, “quick feet”, “hit hard”, or “push, push, push” will keep you focused on the present and what you need to do and keep negative thoughts out of your head.
• Think Positively. A lot can happen in a single jam in derby. Being down by 15 points can turn into being up by 15 points in two jams. Think positive thoughts like, “We can win this” and your performance will improve.
• Turn to your spirit leaders. There are always those skaters on every team that seem to always have sunshine shooting out of their rear ends. When the going gets tough, get those skaters to boost your team’s morale. This can be a great role for a skater of lesser skill to take on, and it can show that all members of the team are crucial, regardless of differences in skill level.
• Think of what’s best for the team. When a team is down in points the strategy will change. This is a time when the more advanced skaters will get more play and “power lineups” may be sent out. If you are a less seasoned skater and you find yourself not being played that much, you can‘t think selfishly. You can’t think about what is best for you, but instead think of what is best for the whole team. Remember, energy is contagious. If you are having a pity party for yourself on the bench, that negative attitude is going to affect the skaters who need to be going out there and kicking butt. You are a member of the team and the win (or loss) will belong to you as well.
And now we are two… Billie Pistol’s story
This Wednesday, 25 April, the Tiger Bay Brawlers turn two years old! It’s been an action-packed couple of years where bonds have been made, lifelong friendships have been formed and where we’ve put roller derby on the map in Wales. We’ve had the privilege of playing some pretty amazing leagues and meeting some fantastic personalities from the roller derby community.Obviously we couldn’t let the occasion pass without reminiscing in some way, so this week we’ll post some stories from our first cohort of skaters; those who helped launch the league or joined in the first intake period.
First up, Miss Billie Pistol. Billie has been with the Tiger Bay Brawlers since the very beginning. She is a regular feature in our travel team adopting both jammer and blocker roles. She’s also an integral part of our coaching committee. Here’s her story…
