Lightening McScream

Usually the Jammers hog the spotlight, but when Lightening McScream is on track it's impossible not to notice her! She's loud, strong, fearless, frequently hilarious and on top of that she's smokin' hot in fishnets and hotpants!

Even though she only entered the world of derby a mere two years ago, she's already established herself as a solid, aggressive Blocker with the Tweed Valley Rollers' travel team the Valley Vixens, she coaches intermediate level players in White Stars and has a high level of commitment to her team and club.

Thanks McScream for taking the time out for this interview - you've packed it with some really good training tips and inspiring anecdotes, perfect for us up and coming players... 

xo Zo D'Praved #302 

  

What (or who) first inspired you to get into Roller Derby and when did you realise that this was the sport for you?

So I first heard of derby around the time the trailer for Whip It was being advertised, I'd seen SSRG [Sun State Roller Girls] posters around but had never taken much notice of it until after the movie. When I saw it, I knew this was the sport for me. I've always played a lot of sport, mostly netball from the age of 9 to 17 (they say netball's a non-contact sport but those girls were vicious).

With school sport I would get a bit too 'into it' and I may or may not have made some kids cry. So after watching Whip it I knew this was the sport I wanted to play more then anything.

McScream, playing for the Valley Vixens, demonstrating perfect positional blocking

How long have you been with Tweed Valley Rollers?

I have been with Tweed Valley Rollers for 2 yrs and 3 months, the only reason I know this is because I still have the message I sent to Monie Bones asking her about where and when they trained

What kind of skill level did you have when you first started out and how long did it take you to progress to bouting level?

I had no skill whatsoever when I first started skating. The only time I skated was when I was 5 and like many girls my age they had Barbies on them!

It took me a long time to get to bouting level as the system was a lot different when I first started to what it is now but I think it took me a year and a bit to get to bouting level.

McScream (directly above, centre of frame), playing for intera-league team Voodoo Dolls

Tell us what your first bout was like.

Oh my first bout.... so that was a intra-league bout with the Sugar Skulls and the Voodoo Dolls in December last year. 

Playing in this game was properly the most excited and scared at the same time I've been in a long time. The whole day I was so nervous driving home from Coffs Harbour, when I finally was ready and had all my gear on and was at the rink I thought I was going to puke on the track I was pooing myself! But after the first couple of jams the nerves went, I found my groove.

Have you ever had any major injuries or glamour stacks that you’d like to share?

I've been pretty lucky on the injury part (touch wood). I've had a few sprained ankles and a few times I've been 'violated' by my skate but nothing too bad. But I've had alot of big stacks - I remember in particular once during a scrimmage I tripped over someone whilst I tried to jump them and landed on my face teeth first. Thankfully I had my mouth guard in 'cause I thought I was going to lose my teeth. This is why I'm so insistent with my white stars to have mouth guards before they start training with me!

McScream, playing against Coffs Coast Derby Dolls, shows us how to best break up a wall...just keep pushing and shoving

What’s your favourite position to play and/or what position do you think you’re strongest in?

Oh I love being a Pivot and Blocker. I'm strongest at Pivot because I'm very loud and good at telling everyone where to be and where the Jammers are. The only downside is I do tend to incur a fair few penalties and you're noticed more [by the Referees] as a Pivot, so I tend to go Blocker but still get my yell on - that's why they call me Scream!

You coach the intermediate level ‘White Stars’. Tell us about your coaching 'style' and the approach you take to developing the skills in your future players.

Oh that's a hard one... I really don't know what my style would be but I like to make sure my training sessions aren't too boring and keep everyone on their toes. I try to be strict with my whites to get them ready for pinks because it can be bit of a shock when they move up. So I really try to develop a good derby stance, strength, break bad habits, develop good techniques and endurance.

Clearly excited Derby fans.

As a coach, can you judge whether a Freshie or White Star has potential and if so, what are the key traits of a ‘beginner with potential?'

Yeah you can somewhat, but what I look for when I'm coaching is the skater that's there early, padding up and is on the rink as soon as it's 6:30pm. Also, those who are always listening/paying attention to what I'm saying, trying their hardest during drills and don't give up! The people who don't give up and try their hardest all the time are the ones that make it.

Tell us about a) you’re most uplifting ‘derby moment’ so far and b) you’re most discouraging moment.

So my most uplifting derby moment... I have two - my first was during my first game when I was put up as Jammer (I am not a jammer; I do like having a go at being a jammer but it's not what I'm strongest at) - I was so scared on the Jammer line up against Poisonality and for some miracle I became lead Jammer and Poisonality got majored [a major penalty] so it became a Power Jam [when only one Jammer is on track], and I scored 20 points and called the jam off just at the right moment so she [the other Jammer] couldn't score any points!

Whenever I think of this it makes me remember that I can do anything, I just have to try and push myself. My second most uplifting derby moment would have to be my first win with the Vixens against Coffs [Coffs Coast Derby Dolls]. It was amazing and just made me love derby so much more!

A rare Jamming moment for McScream, during an intra-league bout

My most discouraging moment would of been at our Yamba game. I began to really doubt myself as a player and constantly found myself sent to the sin bin. Whilst I was sitting there I just could not get past the disappointment of being in the bin so much - I just felt I was letting the whole team down. After a melt-down and a chat to another player my confidence was boosted and I was able to finish the game.

I know a lot of players sometimes get this self-doubt and if you have a strong network within your team they will always help and reassure you.

Sharing a less-than-uplifting moment with Monie Bones in the Sin Bin.

Do you get nervous before a game and do you have any pre-game rituals?

I'm always nervous before a game, pretty much crapping my pants (hahaha) until the 3rd jam. Before a game I am usually at work so I try to get a huge feed of boiled rice and grilled protein from the Japanese place around the corner, drink a lot of water, eat fruit. Then once I get to the venue I tend to jump around a lot, sing really badly to make the team laugh, burp heaps and keep Hall'N Ass (my D'wifey [Derby Wife]) from freaking out. I know this really isn't a ritual but it helps a lot to keep me from freaking out.

McScream (second from right) holding that Vixens wall with Derby Wife Hall N Ass (to her right), Jac Nippleson (to her left) and Monie Bones.

My favourite line from you when you were coaching me in the White Stars was when you were trying to explain to the group how important muscle strength is and you said; “I could crack a nut between my butt cheeks”. Hilarious, but probably also true! You are incredibly strong on the track for someone of your size – can you give us some tips on how to develop ‘nut-cracking’ ass and thigh muscles?

Hahaha I remember that night I often laugh about it! Things to remember are to walk up stairs flat-footed, which will work your quads sooo much more then walking on the balls of your feet. Squats - Squat like there is no tomorrow but making sure your bum really drops down to the ground. Doing lots of dips, either on your bath tub or bed, which will really work your triceps.

Then one thing you have to work on is working on developing your core strength, so planks, sit ups, push ups and most of all devil's deck chairs!

I know I'm a little player but when I'm training I alway try and practice against Mitch Slap (D'husby - I like to share the love around), so I know what it's like coming up against a player bigger than me and it forces me to make sure my techniques are right so I can give an effective check.

Meeting some eager fans, including TVR mascot and Nipples-lover 'Jimmy'...

Finally, as a player, what are your derby goals?

My goals I would love to be able to be that Blocker that Jammers are scared of and be able to check like ReAnimatHer and Godjilla.