Introduction
Roller derby, being an actively played game, would require players who have enough energy to face it. The players would most likely be enthusiastic and adaptable to maneuver in the game easily. Energy and flexibility are requisite for jammers, blockers, and pivot to be able to accomplish individual responsibilities in the team.
Main body
Such a player should also be aggressive in the game. A game which involves balancing, pushing, and shaving requires an aggressive person to succeed in such a play. The player should have a passion to make the game enjoyable. I also think that the player should be resistant and persistent at the same time. He or she should be resistant to the adversities of the grueling game and persistent to performing his or her obligations in it.
Roller derby is a game full of physical activity, which requires tough individuals. A player should be tough enough to handle the challenges, resistance, and even injuries. He or she should be able to handle the tension, push forward, and face the opponents. They should always be tough enough to gain what they want in the game. However, there is some difference between female and male professional players.
Female players have smaller muscle fibers with lower testosterone levels than men do. Females also have considerably faster strength than males with lesser muscle capacity. Female professionals, therefore, will have less energy activated from the muscles.
A female professional player will also differ from a man concerning endurance. For instance, females have lower endurance than men do because men’s aerobic capacity is greater. This implies that female players are less aggressive than men are since men can endure longer. Males also have a difference with females in body mass. For example, there exists a difference in thermoregulation between females and males. Women tend to sweat less as compared to men, owing to their higher body fat, and lose heat through other avenues.
There are also similarities between female and male professional players. Female and male players have equal muscle fibers and, therefore, have equal muscle strength. Female and male players can generate equal energy per muscle. They also have similar strength increase and, thus, can develop the same resistance. In addition, female and male players can be of the same physical characteristics such as height and weight. They can also gain equal tactical process in the game.
Roller derby has received different perception in different quotas. In my school, roller derby has been held with high esteem. This game is mainly for girls, but men have also been accepted to participate in it. Derby athletes are perceived as pleasant achievers, especially when they win over other competitors. In their training programs, girl teams mainly engage in game practice while boys capitalize on building their muscle ability. The interest to participate in the game or to watch is mainly a personal choice.
I personally watch both female and male professional sports, but I watch female sports on a more regular basis as some sports types are more associated with females while others are associated with males. There are certain games, which are more exciting when played by females while others are enjoyable when played by males. For example, female volleyball is equally exciting as male football.
Men’s professional sports are more widely watched than women’s sports mainly because of the popularityof the games. Many people are aware of men’s sports right from childhood, which makes them attached to the game, while some sports are introduced to an individual’s life afterwards, which may take time before one develops interest in it. Popularity comes with the successful team names, players, and even fans.
Men’s sports are also captured and televised in the media more than women sports. Men sports are also perceived to be more active and involving, thus, get more people yearning to watch it. It is also apparent that more men are engaged in sports than women. To men, sport is a place to test masculinity, and, thus, men enjoy watching other men in action.
In the movie, “Whip It Paper”, Bliss like any other human being, having been accustomed to the activity, could not freely enter into a new field. She had been more involved in modeling, which is a less active occupation compared to roller derby. In this case, she was also not sure of how she would perform in that field. I also think that she was worried of her mother’s reaction to her choice of activity.
Leisure and recreation involves activities of personal choice and desire. However, these activities should be in conformity with the expectation of the family and society. For Bliss and her mother, a choice of leisure activity should not be selfish or suppressing, but should respect the desires and expectations of all parties. Bliss should be led to pursue her happiness as long as it is within legal and social boundaries. In this case, therefore, when Bliss pursued what she liked, she emerged to be a happy person.
There are some aspects which the two have in common, such as the passion for the events. For instance, the mother loves modeling whereas Bliss, on the other hand, loves roller derby. This creates a common attribute of determination to achieve their goals. The mother is determined to see Bliss become a beauty model while Bliss is determined to excel in derby without her mother’s consent. Hard work and persistence are also their common property in the pursuit of their fields.
Bliss and her mother view each other differently. The mother sees Bliss as one who cannot make choices alone and needs guidance. She sees her as selfish as she gets to the sport but appreciates her later. On the other hand, Bliss sees her mother as being possessive and selfish, for she wants to be left to do what she likes. Each of them sees herself as capable to make independent choices.
I consider Bliss’ mother as being caring to her daughter. She wants her to make the right choices, but she overdoes that to the extent of being protective and to a level of being a control maniac. She is also hard working, determined, and appreciative. Bliss, to my view, is independent, hardworking, and determined. She decides to try her hand in the sports without her mother’s consent and pursues it to the greatest heights. She utilizes social, secrecy, and personal highly esteemed attributes to attain her desires. I do perceive them this way, for they displayed these traits when pursuing their individual goals.
Conclusion
Bliss’ determination in her choice to participate in roller derby cost her relationship with the mother. She had to live a double life before it came to public that she was in sports.
More often than not, time, family, peer, resources, and the society I live in have influenced my leisure choices. They, in one way or another, control what, how, when, and where I recreate. It has also cost my friendship, resources, time, and family relationship. It is; thus, appropriate to choose leisure activities wisely.