The rough and tough roller derby girls of Dawson Creek will be given a lesson in manners this weekend with a special rules clinic held at the Northern Lights College on Saturday.

Upwards of 20 skaters from the Mile Zero Mercy Roller Girls will be lacing up the skates to bone up on the sport's latest rule changes.

As the local group grows and becomes more involved in derby mayhem it's important that all skaters be on top of the game's conventions, according to the Mercy's public relations representative, Carol Sapergia a.k.a Ginja Fightus.

"The league is still learning how to play and when we are finally ready to play against another team we need to be up to speed on all of the rules," said Fightus, a veteran of the Rated PG Rollergirls of Prince George. "Roller derby has a lot of rules - for good reason - and games are better played and watched when they run smoothly."

"We need officials, refs, players, and coaches who know what's going on," she added, while noting that the clinic will give the league more credibility and accessibility to others.

Fightus mentioned that it's not enough for competitors to just be handed a rulebook.

"Learning the rules in theory and putting them to work are completely different things – for all positions."

Some rule changes being implemented include the elimination of minor penalties, which might in fact make the already bone crushing game even more physical.

"[No minors] means that elbows can fly and no penalty will be called unless the victim loses position because of the elbow," explained Fightus.

Sanctioned referee Papa Razzo, who officiated the Mile Zero Derby Massacre held in November at the Encana Events Centre, will be overseeing the clinic that gets rolling on Saturday at 10 p.m. and will go all day until 6 p.m.