Gallery: Inside The Vault, training with the Assault City Roller Derby team

The Assault City Roller Derby team practices in The Vault, a cavernous space in a corner of Shoppingtown Mall. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Skaters await direction from their coach, Blair Genther. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

The team prepares for bouts with drills and games like capture the flag. These exercise require similar footwork to games. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Bouts are held on a flat, oval-shaped track. There are also leagues that bout on sloped tracks. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Fresh Meat skaters are taught the rules and basics of the sport before passing skills tests and taking to the track. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Coach Blair Genther said the sport allows skaters to let out their aggression and express themselves on a primal level. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Blockers team up to prevent the jammer from the opposing team from passing and scoring points. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Skaters are assigned nicknames while training as Fresh Meat but can opt to change it once they hit the track. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

The team is currently preparing for a Women's History themed bout at Onondaga Community College March 25. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Skaters line up to be split into teams for full-contact capture the flag. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Skaters are clad in protective gear from head to toe. They wear helmets, elbow pads, hand guards and knee pads. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Although the sport is aggressive and can get rough, injuries aren't too frequent in occurrence. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Every now and then, the first aid kit is used for minor scrapes, bumps and bruises. Bunny N Clyde has a permanent dent in her shin. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Skaters have to warm up thoroughly before skating. Each training session starts with stretches, pushups, planks and sit ups. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

"Strong, proud, focused" is the motto of the Assault City Roller Derby team. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

The sport has had a rise in popularity in recent years. More than 200 people will turn out to see teams battle it out. Sam Maller | Staff Photographer