What is a block in roller derby and how skaters use it to slow opponents

Block—on the roller derby track, it's more than just a physical shove. It's a careful, legal, game-smart move that can tilt a whole jam in your team's favor. If you’ve ever watched a wall of blockers stall a jammer you thought would break through, you’ve seen a block in action. Let me break down what it really is, why it matters, and how skaters turn it into a strategic advantage rather than a reckless hit.

What exactly is a block?

In roller derby, a block is an action taken by a player to impede the movement of an opponent. Simple verdict, big impact. A blocker uses their body as a barrier—shoulder, hip, or torso—within the rules to disrupt an opponent’s speed, angle, or timing. It’s the difference between a jammer slipping by and a defender forcing a stall or a detour. The block isn’t a casual bump; it’s a calculated move designed to tighten the track around the opposing jammer and open lanes for your own skaters to score.

Blocks matter on both sides of the pack

Blocking isn’t just about stopping the other team’s progress. Offense and defense share the same playbook because six players on the track at once are reading the same rhythm. When your jammer pushes ahead, a well-timed block by a teammate can clear a path, slow a counter-advance, or pinch space so your scorer can slip through. Conversely, solid defense—blockers forming a tight, moving wall—can force the opposing jammer into trouble spots, giving your pack better leverage. In short, blocking is the backbone of how teams control tempo, shape the jam, and protect their scoring stars.

The blocker’s toolbox

Here’s the short list of go-to blocking techniques you’ll hear coaches call out in scrimmages, bouts, and boot camps. Think of them as a toolbox—each tool has its moment.

• Shoulder checks (the classic wall builder): A solid shoulder contact aimed to alter the opponent’s forward trajectory. It’s about pressure, not aggression, and it works best when you’re square to your target and moving with purpose.

• Hip checks (the pivot and stall): A hip-to-hip or hip-to-side block that disrupts an opponent’s line without losing your own balance. It’s the art of using your body’s width to pin an opponent to the inside or outside line.

• Framing and edging (reading the space): Positioning yourself at an angle to guide the opponent toward a specific lane. It’s less about raw power and more about geometry—knowing where the track edge will push the blocker to move.

• Walling up (the steady barrier): A patient, compact stance that creates a physical boundary. It’s the “stay in your lane” moment, letting your teammates adjust around you while you hold the line.

• Edge work and footwork (staying smooth): Shifting weight from one edge to another, keeping feet light and quick so you can re-center after contact. It’s a blend of balance and agility.

• Communication and anticipation (the invisible lock): Calling out blockers’ positions, gaps, or threats while you read the pack. Great blocks aren’t solo feats; they’re a chorus line.

The vibe of legal, safe blocking

Blocking rules aren’t mere speed bumps; they’re guardrails that keep the game safe and fast. You want to avoid anything reckless or dangerous—no hitting to the head, no grabbing, no tripping, and no extending your arms into another skater’s torso beyond a legal channel. The healthiest blocks happen when you stay low, keep elbows in, and use your frame to guide rather than shove. Coaches often remind teams to “keep it clean, keep it clever.” The best blockers are as much tacticians as they are athletes.

Timing, tempo, and teamwork

Let me explain the living heartbeat of blocking: timing. A flawless block lands when the jammer is just where you want them to be, not where they are at the moment you reach them. That’s often a split-second judgment call—do you steer them toward the inside line before the pack closes, or hold your ground until your blockers create a seam? Skaters train to read the pack’s flow, predict where the jam will breach, and then act with precision.

Teamwork matters just as much as individual skill. A great blocker isn’t a lone hero; they’re a cog in a well-rehearsed machine. Communicating about where the jam is forming, who’s free to shift, and where to establish the wall creates a ripple effect that helps the entire squad gain ground. In many bouts, you’ll see a blocker peel off a jammer with a quick, almost ceremonial nod to teammates—“I’ve got this—your line’s coming up.” That shared awareness is what makes blockers feel almost telepathic at times.

A few common misreads—and how to fix them

Blocking isn’t about brute force; it’s about reading the track, the other team, and your own squad’s needs. Here are a few pitfalls and practical fixes you’ll hear coaches push for:

• Over-committing to a single contact. If you lock in too early, you can miss a later lane opening. Fix: stay light on your feet and keep your hips alive—be ready to shift.

• Losing sight of your own jammer. Sometimes your block becomes a wall you forgot to look over. Fix: keep a mental picture of where your jammer is relative to the person you’re blocking.

• Reaching or grabbing. It’s tempting to grab a jersey to yank someone off-balance, but that invites penalties. Fix: use your frame and angles; the goal is to guide, not to grab.

• Dropping your posture after contact. Flattened stance means you’re easy to skate around. Fix: stay with knees bent, core engaged, and eyes up.

Safety and etiquette on the track

Blocking is thrilling, but the thrill isn’t worth sidelining a teammate or earning a penalty. A few etiquette notes:

• Always protect your own head and neck. Keep a sturdy center of gravity rather than leaning in with the shoulders alone.

• Don’t chase a jammer out of bounds in a reckless way. Track awareness matters—staying inside the pack boundaries is part of smart blocking.

• If you’re not sure a move is legal, ask the coach or rely on the rulebook from the governing body (many leagues reference the same core principles you’ll see on official sites).

• Clean, controlled contact is your friend; wild swings are not.

From the track to the rest of the game

Blocking isn’t just about drama in a single jam. It sets up the whole arc of a bout. A well-placed wall can corral the opposing jammer toward a corner where your teammates are ready to seal the lane. A clever shoulder check can break a dash for a high-value scoring opportunity. And when your blockers coordinate to slow a formidable jammer, you’re giving your own jammer a clear runway to rack up points. It’s a give-and-take that makes roller derby feel like a living chess match on wheels.

Gear, glitter, and the practical side of getting better

You’ll hear skaters talk about the gear as much as the moves, but the gear is a means, not the end. Quality skates—think brands like Riedell or Moxi—give you the stability to hold a line. Cushioned, well-fitted knee pads and a sturdy mouthguard (the kind you’d find from Shock Doctor or comparable brands) protect you as you learn to lean into contact. Good wheels that grip when you need traction, and a reliable bumper on your gear, help you stay in control through the faster, more physical moments.

If you’re curious about where to see blocking in action, watch a variety of bouts. Observe how blockers create lanes, how they reposition during resets, and how communication threads the team together. A few YouTube channels and official league streams can reveal a lot about timing, positioning, and the flow of a great jam. And if you want to explore standardized guidelines, turning to the WFTDA’s rule set can be enlightening—it’s a common reference point for many leagues.

A few quick takeaways to keep in mind

• A block is a purposeful action to impede an opponent’s movement.

• Blocking blends technique with timing, space-reading, and teamwork.

• The best blockers are patient, disciplined, and precise in their movement.

• Safety comes first: legal blocks protect players and the game’s pace.

• Visualization helps, but real progress comes from repeated, mindful application on the track.

Where to go next, if you’re curious

If you’re exploring roller derby more deeply, consider checking out local leagues, beginner clinics, or open scrimmages. It’s a great way to see blocking in motion, hear coaches’ feedback in real time, and absorb the tempo of the game from inside the pack. People who’ve tried it often describe that moment when a blocker “gets it”—the sense of alignment with teammates, the confidence that comes with control, and the satisfying click of a well-executed maneuver.

Closing thought

Blocking is the craft of turning body into a moving, strategic barrier. It’s not flashy in the way a high-scoring jam is, but it’s the backbone that makes those big moments possible. The track is a shared stage, and blockers are the players who choreograph the space between offense and defense with skill, restraint, and a touch of grit. If you want to understand roller derby at its best, watch the blocks as carefully as you watch the jammers. You’ll notice the game’s rhythm—how a good block doesn’t just stop an opponent; it tugs the entire play toward your team’s advantage.

And that, in a nutshell, is what a block does on the roller derby stage: it’s a move, a strategy, and—when done well—a quiet, powerful force that helps define the win.