What United Skates of America does

United Skates of America (USOA) is a membership organization that sanctions roller derby leagues and tournaments across the United States. It sets rules for play, certifies officials and referees, and maintains rankings of teams that compete under its standards. If a league joins USOA, its games count toward national standings, and its skaters can compete in USOA-sanctioned tournaments.

USOA is one of two major sanctioning bodies in American roller derby. The other is the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which operates separately and has its own ruleset, ranking system, and tournament structure. A league can be sanctioned by USOA, WFTDA, both, or neither. The choice affects which tournaments a team can enter, how its record is tracked, and which ruleset governs its games.

Key Takeaways

  • USOA sanctions leagues and tournaments, meaning games played under USOA rules count toward national rankings and teams can compete in USOA events.
  • USOA and WFTDA are separate organizations with different rulesets, so a league must choose which sanctioning body to join or join both.
  • USOA certifies referees and officials through a training and testing process, and only certified officials can work USOA-sanctioned games.
  • Leagues pay membership fees to USOA and must follow its ruleset and governance standards to remain sanctioned.
  • USOA maintains a national ranking system for teams, updated after sanctioned games, which determines seeding in tournaments.

How USOA membership works for leagues

A roller derby league that wants to join USOA must meet structural and operational requirements set by the organization. The league must have a governing board, a written constitution or bylaws, liability insurance, and a commitment to follow USOA rules and policies. The league also pays an annual membership fee, which varies based on league size and structure.

Once sanctioned, the league's games are recorded in the USOA system. When two USOA-sanctioned teams play each other, the result counts toward both teams' national rankings. Games between a USOA team and a non-sanctioned team, or games played under a different ruleset, do not count toward USOA rankings. This means a league's record in USOA standings reflects only games played under USOA rules against other USOA teams.

Leagues can also hold scrimmages and friendlies that are not sanctioned, meaning they do not count toward rankings. This gives leagues flexibility to play practice games or exhibitions without affecting their standing.

USOA ruleset and how it differs from WFTDA

USOA and WFTDA maintain separate rulebooks. The rules cover how the game is played — penalties, scoring, jam timing, and what actions are legal or illegal on the track. Both organizations update their rules periodically, and the rulesets can differ in specific ways.

For example, the two organizations have historically differed on penalty severity, the definition of certain blocking techniques, and the structure of overtime play. A league that plays under USOA rules may find that a move or strategy that is legal under USOA rules would draw a penalty under WFTDA rules, or vice versa. Skaters who compete in both USOA and WFTDA tournaments must learn both rulesets or risk committing penalties they did not expect.

Leagues that want to compete in both USOA and WFTDA tournaments often train their skaters in both rulesets and may hold some games under each set of rules to prepare for different competitions.

USOA referee and official certification

USOA certifies referees, scorekeepers, and other officials through a training and testing process. To become a USOA-certified official, a person must complete training materials, demonstrate knowledge of USOA rules, and pass a written test. The certification confirms that the official understands the ruleset and can enforce it consistently.

Only USOA-certified officials can work games that count toward USOA rankings. This requirement ensures that sanctioned games are called by people who have been trained in USOA standards. A league may have officials who are certified by WFTDA, by USOA, or by both organizations. Officials can maintain multiple certifications if they choose to work in both systems.

Certification is not permanent — officials must renew their credentials periodically and may be required to complete refresher training or pass updated tests when USOA changes its rules.

USOA tournaments and national rankings

USOA runs regional and national tournaments throughout the year. Teams compete in these events to earn points, improve their ranking, and work toward qualification for larger championships. The national ranking system is updated after each sanctioned game, so a team's position changes based on wins, losses, and strength of schedule.

Tournament seeding — the placement of teams in brackets — is usually based on USOA rankings at the time the tournament begins. A higher-ranked team may receive a better seed, meaning an easier path through early rounds. This gives teams an incentive to play sanctioned games and maintain a strong record throughout the season.

USOA also publishes its rankings publicly, so leagues and fans can see where teams stand nationally. This transparency helps leagues understand how their performance compares to other teams across the country.

Costs and requirements for joining USOA

Membership fees for USOA vary depending on league size, structure, and region. A new league should contact USOA directly to learn the current fee for its situation. Fees typically cover the cost of sanctioning, access to the ranking system, and support from the organization.

Beyond membership fees, a league must maintain liability insurance and follow USOA governance standards. The league must also may support that its officials are certified or willing to pursue certification. Some leagues budget for official training and testing as part of their operating costs.

A league does not have to join USOA to play roller derby. Many leagues operate independently, set their own rules, and play friendly games with other leagues without any sanctioning body. The choice to join USOA is a league decision based on whether the league wants to compete in sanctioned tournaments and be ranked nationally.

USOA versus WFTDA: how to choose

A league choosing between USOA and WFTDA (or both) should consider which tournaments it wants to enter, which other leagues it wants to play, and which ruleset fits its skaters' experience. If a league's neighboring teams are mostly WFTDA-sanctioned, joining WFTDA may make more sense. If the league wants to compete in USOA tournaments or is in a region where USOA is more active, USOA membership may be the better fit.

Some leagues join both organizations to maximize their tournament options and play against a wider range of teams. This requires training skaters in both rulesets and paying fees to both organizations, but it gives the league more flexibility in scheduling and competition.

A league can also change its sanctioning status over time. A league might start as independent, join USOA later, or switch from one organization to another if its goals or circumstances change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a league play USOA games without being a USOA member?

No. Only USOA-sanctioned leagues can play games that count toward USOA rankings. A non-member league can play friendly games against USOA teams, but those games will not be recorded in the USOA system. If a league wants its games to count toward national rankings, it must join USOA.

Do I have to be certified by USOA to skate in a USOA league?

No. Skaters do not need personal USOA certification to compete. The league itself is sanctioned by USOA, and the officials working the game must be USOA-certified. Skaters straightforward need to be members of the league and meet any training or skill requirements the league sets.

What happens if a league stops paying its USOA membership?

If a league's membership lapses, its games no longer count toward USOA rankings and it cannot enter USOA-sanctioned tournaments. The league can continue to play roller derby independently or rejoin USOA later by paying the membership fee and meeting current requirements.

Can a skater compete in both USOA and WFTDA tournaments?

Yes. A skater can compete in tournaments sanctioned by both organizations if their league is a member of both or if they skate for multiple leagues. Learning both rulesets takes time, but many skaters do compete under both systems.

How often does USOA update its rules?

USOA updates its ruleset periodically, though the exact frequency varies. Changes are usually announced in advance so leagues and officials have time to learn the new rules before they take effect. Leagues should check the USOA website or contact the organization directly for information about upcoming rule changes.