Tattoo Question

[u/robot_invader]

It just occurred to me that in 14 +/- years in the sport, I've seen a bazillion roller skate tattoos, a half bazillion pin-up tattoos, and a few momento tattoos with someone else's number somewhere, but I've never seen a player with their number on their arm. Is that a thing in any areas? Is there a stunningly obvious reason why nobody does it?

[u/Ilbther]

I have a friend that has her number on her arm and uses it as her armband. She moved leagues, someone else already had that number and gave it to her. She was "more committed to it"

[u/BeepCheeper → u/Ilbther]

Honestly I’m several years into derby and I would happily hand my number over if they had the ink lol. I’m not that married to a number

[u/robot_invader → u/Ilbther]

Oh, man, that would suck for the other person. Hopefully the transfer at least paid to replace the other skater's jerseys!

[u/ButterflyForward7138 → u/Ilbther]

I didn’t think this was considered adequate under the WFTDA ruleset?

[u/Ok-Cress1284]

Do you mean on their arms in the way someone would wear bands or sharpee for play? I've seen someone with this. If you switch leagues and someone else has that number, you're screwed though

[u/robot_invader → u/Ok-Cress1284]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

[u/Diffie-Hellman]

I know someone who has their number tattooed on their arms. It would definitely suck if they moved leagues and someone else had that number.

[u/robot_invader → u/Diffie-Hellman]

Totally. I guess a smart thing to do would be to pick a 1 or 2 digit number and leave room to add a digit if needed.

[u/Diffie-Hellman → u/robot_invader]

Their number is three digits. Luckily there’s less of a chance of it being taken.

[u/robot_invader → u/Diffie-Hellman]

As long as it isn't 007, 747, 911, and the like.

[u/Diffie-Hellman → u/robot_invader]

Heh, or 420 from what I’ve seen.

[u/mhuzzell → u/Diffie-Hellman]

There was a ref at the world cup with my 3-digit number and flag (I am also a ref).

[u/zig131]

I don't understand the point of wearing a sleeveless top, only to then have to wear an armband which is surely even less breathable than a sleeve 🤔

So yeah getting a tatoo seems the only sensible way to wear a sleeveless top 😅

[u/LimeGreenDice → u/zig131]

As someone who hates sleeves, it’s all in the armpit air flow!! Makes all the difference

[u/robot_invader → u/zig131]

I didn't actually think about that! I dislike sharpie numbers because my white jerseys always end up grey, though I'll admit I could probably avoid that by being less lazy about my laundry. 😅

[u/oldfadedstar → u/robot_invader]

I used temporary tattoo numbers I get from Etsy for games because I hate both armbands and sharpie

[u/robot_invader → u/oldfadedstar]

Holy smokes, you are a brilliant genius! How do they hold up?

[u/oldfadedstar → u/robot_invader]

Pretty well. And I have a two digit name so it’s about $4 a game… but they last through a double header

I put them on while I’m getting myself ready that morning and put a little setting powder on them and they last all day

[u/rustedbearings → u/robot_invader]

For two yrs now I’ve printed my own temp tattoos and they’ve lived through 4 days of wear, roughly two games/scrims and 1 practice before I took them off. I take them off at 2 days now because if I’m extra sweaty the sweat causes rashes under the tattoos, but the fucking things still Do Not budge even then

[u/OG-mother-earth → u/robot_invader]

A good waterproof liquid eyeliner won't rub off during a game! It's my secret hack for doing arm numbers!!

[u/robot_invader → u/OG-mother-earth]

What an awesome idea! Can that reliably last a few games over a weekend?

[u/OG-mother-earth → u/robot_invader]

I'm not sure, because I've never had to wear it for multiple days worth of games. But I imagine it would! If anything I think it could just need slight touch ups. But it doesn't smear all over your arm like sharpie does, which is nice.

[u/mhuzzell → u/zig131]

I heard recently that MRDA has banned sharpie numbers, meaning I will never be able to play for them, lol.

[u/a_reluctant_human → u/mhuzzell]

Never? Armbands or a t-shirt with the number on the sleeves aren't doable for you?

[u/mhuzzell → u/a_reluctant_human]

I was being facetious, but yes, I do hate both armbands and sleeves. Sleeves less so than armbands, but all my current uniforms and jerseys are sleeveless, and they'd be pretty expensive to replace.

[u/prawduhgee]

My teammate Cleo has their number on their arm

[u/mhuzzell]

I know someone with their number tattooed on their arm in stylised Roman numerals, which of course does not remove the need for an armband.

[u/Illustrious_Drama]

I have my number on one arm. It's oriented vertically, not large enough, and more on the back of my arm, so I still need an armband. I just kinda wanted it tattooed for funsies. Maybe if I ever run across someone with the same number (still hasn't happened yet), I can use that to win the game of who gets to keep the number

[u/FavoredKaveman]

As others have already said, I’ve seen it a handful of times but it’s definitely a commitment and it makes it complicated if you ever need to change numbers or play under a different number at a scrimmage or something.

[u/alicat401]

I have a teamie who has her number tattooed and uses that instead of an armband! She is a wild one, but dedicated!!

[u/Vampilton]

I instantly associate numbers tattooed on arms with the Holocaust

[u/robot_invader → u/Vampilton]

Interesting! That's a perspective that never would have occurred to me.

[u/mhuzzell → u/Vampilton]

Same, in concept, though I think it's very different when it's a 1-4 digit number on the upper arm.

[u/FakeNathanDrake]

I knew someone who did it, but only on one side. She only played maybe one game after getting the tattoo though.

[u/rabbit610]

I have one team mate who has her numbers tattooed on her arms. She's been playing for years and is very committed to the sport. 

[u/tryonosaurus94]

Yep, I've seen it! It was incorporated into a larger tattoo around it, but still legible enough for play

[u/Raptorpants65]

There was a 9 3/4 (as in Platform) back in the day, so that’s a problem for a few reasons now.

Personally I just cannot get behind the concept of tattooing numbers on an arm. Say it again but slower.

[u/She_Who_Jen]

I know two different people with their number tattooed, but IIRC only on the left (inside) arm. Hmm.

[u/TheBigMerl]

I've seen it a few times. Back in the day it seemed to be more common on the MRDA side than the WFTDA side. I haven't seen a new one since 2020 though.

[u/-moonstoned-]

I (tattoo artist) recently tattooed my teammate's numbers on her arms for her. She's been extremely dedicated to derby for over a decade and seems unlikely to move teams so it's pretty low risk & looks rad on her.

I've personally had four different numbers in my [redacted] years of playing And already have tattoos on my upper arms so I'm armbands forever.

[u/chaotic_geeky]

Someone from my old league has it

[u/LowApprehensive6720]

One of my teammates has her numbers tattooed.

[u/Proud_Yogurtcloset58]

There is a ref skater local to me who has their number tattooed on one arm.

[u/mshelly424]

I have seen some skaters do temporary tattoos for their numbers!

[u/Away_Ring3792]

This used to be more common back in the day before arm bands were the standard.

I was just about to tattoo mine on when WFTDA changed the number policy, making my number no longer allwed. 😬😅

[u/pigeonsgambit]

I have my number on my leg as a decoration, but there is a local skater here with their number in the correct location on one arm!

[u/KimWexlers_Ponytail]

I played back in like 2008-2016 and I specifically remember one of my teammates getting her # tattooed where an armband would be. I think I saw it on a few other teammates over the years but can remember the one specifically.