How blockers create space to help the jammer in roller derby

Roller derby isn’t just about who’s fastest on the track. It’s a tight, high-energy team sport where the best moments come from coordinated moves between blockers and the jammer. Think of the pack as a living obstacle course: you want your team to move as a unit, carving a path that the jammer can ride to the front. And the most common, reliable way blockers help their jammer surge ahead? Creating space by blocking opposing players.

Let me explain why this simple idea matters

Imagine a crowded hallway at a busy airport. If a few determined teammates stand shoulder-to-shoulder and block others just right, the person in the middle gets a clear shot down the center. In roller derby, that same principle applies. A blockers’ primary job is to sculpt lanes, pluck and redirect troublemakers, and keep the path smooth for the jammer. When blockers do this well, the jammer can pick up speed, squeeze through gaps, and rack up points as the pack melts away behind them.

What “creating space” really looks like on the track

Blockers aren’t merely big bodies in the way. They’re active surgeons of space, using body position, timing, and angles to peel open opportunities. Here’s how it typically unfolds in a real bout:

• Positioning: Blockers shuffle into a supportive wall, angled to shield the jammer from the toughest hits while nudging opposing blockers back just enough to open a lane. The goal isn’t to bulldoze; it’s to slickly redirect and hold ground.

• Blocking tactically: By engaging with opponents, blockers disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. They don’t chase the jammer needlessly; they manage the front line, creating a clear channel that the jammer can exploit with momentum.

• Reading the pack: The fastest path through the most resistance isn’t a straight line. It’s a smart arc around a shoulder, a hip check that’s within the rules, a shoulder-to-hip nudge that buys the jammer a few more inches of forward surge.

• Timing and communication: The best duos or small wall formations communicate with the jammer—hand signals, eye contact, even a nod—so the jammer knows when a lane is opening and when to surge.

Why this tactic beats the other common choices

In a quiz, you might see options like “skating away from the pack,” “rushing toward the penalty box,” or “forming a single line.” All of these miss the bigger picture. Here’s why the space-creating approach wins:

• Skating far from the pack leaves the jammer stranded. Without a supportive wall, the jammer loses the boost that comes from teamwork and can get swallowed up by opponents who’ve regrouped.

• Rushing toward the penalty box hurts more than it helps. A blocker who’s sidelined by penalties can’t assist, leaving the jammer to fight forward alone and making it easier for the other team to reclaim the line.

• A single, unbroken line with no gaps is a straight path for the defense to clog. Flexibility wins in derby, and gaps are where clean, quick moves happen. A wall that can shift, bend, and re-form creates more scoring chances for the jammer.

The real skill in “creating space” sits in the details

• Hip and shoulder control: Clean blocks that push opponents out of the way without penalties are the bread and butter. It’s a balance of power and precision.

• Angling and lane control: Instead of charging straight through, blockers steer the fight around the edge, pinching the space, and letting the jammer slip through the middle or the side where the defense is thinnest.

• Communication under pressure: A quick tap, a raised hand, or a glance can tell the jammer when the lane is opening. The timing matters just as much as the technique.

• Footwork and stance: Low, stable legs, quick pivots, and the ability to switch directions without losing balance keep the blockers in control as the pack moves.

A handful of practical tips for blockers on a jam

If you’re stepping into the blocking role, here are a few on-ice things to keep in mind. They’re simple, but when you combine them, you’ll notice a real lift in how your jammer cuts through.

• Stay in contact, but stay legal: Light, continuous contact to guide the path is okay; avoid packing drives that risk penalties. The idea is to guide, not to crash.

• Keep your hips low and wide: A solid, braced stance makes it easier to absorb contact and push just enough to open a lane without overstepping the rules.

• Read the jammer’s line: If your jammer is aiming for the outside, your job is to shape the inside or outside lane to fit that line. It’s about partnership—your cue, their pace.

• Communicate early and often: A quick call or signal can be the difference between a jam advancing smoothly or stalling in a tense tangle.

• Be adaptable: The track throws you curveballs. If the opposing blockers shift, your wall should shift with them, staying one move ahead of the defense.

Friendly reminders about common missteps

• Don’t chase contact for its own sake. You’re guiding space, not slamming into every obstacle.

• Don’t get stuck in a single spot. A block that’s too rigid makes it easy for the defense to adjust.

• Don’t forget safety. You’re part of a team, and the rulebook exists to keep everyone safe and in the game.

A few easy exercises to build this skill (without turning into a long drill session)

• The angled wall drill: Form a two-person wall with a teammate. Practice bending your hips and shifting laterally to create a widening lane for the jammer. Alternate who leads and who follows so both learn controlling angles.

• The arc path drill: Have the jammer start behind the blockers, then practice moving in an S-curve to slip through a widening opening. The wall should morph from straight to slightly curved as you block and shade the pathway.

• The read-and-react drill: With a clock ticking down, the blockers react to visible cues from the jammer and the opposing blockers. The aim is to adjust on the go and keep the lane consistent.

• Quick signals, big gains: Use simple hand signals to coordinate an opening. One tap on the shoulder can mean “hold,” a wave of the hand can mean “go to the left lane.”

A quick, real-world vibe check

Roller derby arenas aren’t silent laboratories. They’re loud, they’re electric, and the best teams ride momentum. You’ll hear skates skimming, the thud of blocks, and a chorus of whistles. In that environment, the ability to create space by blocking is a measurable difference-maker. When a blocker clicks with their jammer, you can almost see the track shift—a visible seam opening up through which the jammer surges, tracker lights on, scoring points as the crowd roars.

If you’re a student who loves to study the little moves as much as the big plays, you’ll recognize this tactic as the backbone of many successful jam sequences. It’s less about a one-person dash and more about a well-orchestrated push and pull that keeps the jam moving in your favor. The pack contracts, the lane widens, and the jammer pounces.

From a broader view, this isn’t only about scoring. It’s about control. Blockers who master space creation are the guardians of tempo, the keepers of momentum, and the unsung heroes who turn a potential standoff into a clean sprint for the jammer. And when the defense tries to re-claim ground, those same blockers shift, re-route, and rebuild the lane with confidence.

A closing thought: rhythm, speed, and teamwork

If you’re building your roller derby toolkit, this tactic sits near the top for a good reason. It blends physical skill with timing, communication, and a little bit of strategic flair. The next time you watch a bout or hop on the track, pay attention to how often a blocker steps into space for the jammer—how they angle, how they shield, how they pivot to maintain the lane. You’ll start noticing the pattern: space through structure, momentum through movement, and victory through collaboration.

And if you’re new to the sport or simply curious, remember this: roller derby isn’t a lone sprint. It’s a tapestry of coordinated moves, with blockers as the master weavers who shape the path for the star players. Creating space by blocking opposing players—simple, effective, and essential—remains one of the most dependable gears in the derby machine. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, control is built not by rushing forward alone, but by guiding others to pave the way.