...Fake a Roller Derby Fight
"I do my own stunts" may look sweet printed next to a head shot, but few actors can say it with a straight face. Zoë Bell has the contusions to prove it: You may remember her as the badass who spent half of Death Proof on the hood of a speeding car. Channeling her character Bloody Holly in this month's Roller Derby film Whip It (alongside Drew Barrymore), she told us how to fake-clothesline an opponent. On skates.
— Angela Watercutter
Illustration: Jason Lee 1. Pick a spot Together with your partner, the "jammer," choose a mark where you will execute the move so you can time it just right. And make sure you're both suited up in helmets and pads. » 2. Spin around Say the jammer is coming up behind you on your right. At the mark, swing your left leg 180 degrees with your left arm extended, then plant the left toe break to stop. » 3. Signal "Fake-hit her below the throat and above the boobs," Bell says. That's the jammer's cue to take a dive. The key is to stay in control but still make the spill look nasty: "It's a very honed skill."
Illustration: Jason Lee 4. Let her drop The jammer should try to land on her upper back and open palms, to disperse the impact. Dropping on the tailbone and elbows can chip them. Plus, the smacking noise sounds extra gnarly. » 5. Make an exit Clotheslining is illegal, so stunt or not, you'll likely be ejected from the game. Do it with flair: "Flash your fishnets, flip people off, and go have a beer." » 6. Pay respect During the filming of Whip It, jammers collected black-and-blues like Brownie badges. "Every time we got a good one, Drew was like, 'Take a photo! It's going on the Bruise Wall!'"
Illustration: Jason Lee...Moonwalk Like MJ
The death of the Gloved One caused an epidemic of bad moonwalking. (Experience the travesties at moonwalk-forever.com.) Cooley Jaxson, the choreographer who taught MJ the technique, explains how to burn this disco out. Step 1: Keep left leg bent with heel planted. Put your weight on that leg. Step 2: Slide right leg backward by pulling from the hips, keeping that knee locked and that foot flat on the ground. Swing left arm forward at the same time. Step 3: When right leg is behind you, shift your weight onto it while bending right knee and lifting right heel. Straighten left leg, then pull it backward from the hip. Meanwhile, swing right arm forward. Step 4: Repeat. Grab crotch (optional). Exclaim: "You've been struck by a smooth criminal! Hooo!" (not optional).
— Steven Leckart
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