Offensive Blocking in Roller Derby: How Teamwork Creates Space for the Jammer and Drives Scoring

Offensive Blocking in Roller Derby: The Teamwork That Opens Lanes

Roller derby moves fast, and the real magic isn’t just about slamming into the wall. It’s about how teammates work together to carve out space for the jammer. That’s what offensive blocking is all about: blocking strategies designed to help a teammate pass through the opposing defense. In plain terms, it’s teamwork with a purpose—get a seam open, move your blocker’s friend through, and score.

What is offensive blocking, really?

Think of the track as a crowded street. The defense is a moving obstacle course, and the jammer needs a clear lane to sprint through. Offensive blocking is the art of shaping that lane. It isn’t about hurting or eliminating opponents; it’s about guiding space, setting up angles, and letting the jammer do their job with less friction.

On the track, offensive blocking looks like coordinated moves between blockers. One blocker might create a temporary shield, another slides into a blocking position to push the defense in a particular direction, and the jammer slips through the gap. The goal isn’t a clean hit or a score on its own—it’s enabling a teammate to advance and accumulate points.

How it works in real life (on the oval track)

Here are the core ideas you’ll see when offensive blocking is firing on all cylinders:

• Create a seam, not a collision: Blockers aim to open a clear path (a seam) for the jammer. That means directing the defense to move in one direction while you and a teammate slip through in another.

• The wall’s teamwork: The classic pack wall from the defense can be beaten by a well-timed two-on-one or three-on-two setup. Teammates work in tandem to maintain pressure while nudging the defense away from the intended line.

• Inside and outside lanes: A common tactic is to establish inside or outside lanes that force the defense to reconfigure. For example, a blocker might pivot to the inside, drawing defenders inward, while the jammer skirts along the outside edge toward an opening.

• The box-and-breeze idea: Some blockers position themselves like a frame around the defender, “box” the defender in, then a second blocker glides past to widen the lane. It’s not speed for speed’s sake; it’s space for the scoring player.

• Timing beats brute force: The most effective offensive blocking relies on rhythm and timing. A split-second pause, a step, a shoulder nudge, and the seam appears. It’s less about who can hit hardest and more about who can read the pack’s movement.

• Communication counts: Verbal cues, eye contact, and predictable movements help teammates anticipate the next switch in direction. When a blocker shouts “hole!” or “through!” you react, not hesitate.

Roles that make the magic happen

Inside every successful jam, there’s a silent chorus of roles:

• The jammer’s ally: The blocker’s primary job is to clear a path for the jammer. It’s a collaboration: the jammer creates the scoring threat, and blockers remove the obstacles.

• The pivot’s leadership: The pivot (the player wearing the star on the helmet) often acts as a point guard on the track. They guide where the pack should move and help coordinate the blocking angles.

• The helper blockers: Not every move is a headline moment. Many blockers do the quiet work—holding the line, nudging the defense away from the seam, keeping their own hips square to stay legal and effective.

• The timing coach: Even when you’re not delivering a big hit, your timing matters. The best blockers signal the upcoming seam and then shift just enough to let the jammer slide through.

Tactics you’ll hear about in training rooms and on game nights

If you’ve ever watched a jam and wondered how the offense actually gets through, here are some practical tactics you might notice:

• Screen and shuffle: A blocker positions themselves to screen a defender, then uses a quick sidestep to re-route around the screen, opening a path for the jammer to slip through the gap.

• The two-step-through: Two blockers form a small, cooperating barrier that pushes the defense sideways, creating a narrow lane for the jammer to sprint through.

• Gap widening with bodies: A blocker uses body position to’t widen a small gap into a usable seam, all while staying within the rules and keeping their own hips out of the danger zone.

• Redirect and ride: A defender might be redirected from a straight line, then carried into a different path by a second blocker. The jammer follows in the created rhythm.

• Reading the pack’s pulse: Great offensive blocking relies on watching how the defense shifts in real time. A moment of calm, followed by a deliberate move, can change a jam’s outcome.

Common misfires (and how to fix them)

No one nails offensive blocking every time. Here are a few potholes you’ll want to avoid, plus quick fixes:

• Overcommitting to a hit: If you’re driving hard into a defender, you might lose your balance or create penalties. Focus on body positioning, not raw force. Use your edges and hips to guide rather than shove.

• Losing track of the jammer: Blocking for the sake of blocking can backfire if you forget the jammer’s position. Keep your eyes on the scoring player and adjust your angle to keep the seam open.

• Obstruction penalties: If you’re in someone’s way or you move illegally into the pack, you’ll draw penalties. Stay within the rules, keep your movements clean, and communicate.

• The line-crossing trap: Skating out of bounds or riding the line of the track ends up opening the defense again. Maintain balance and stay in play.

• Stacking blockers in one spot: If too many blockers crowd the same space, the path can clog up. Spread out a bit, create multi-angle pressure, and keep the lane dynamic.

A few drills and cues to sharpen the skill (without turning this into a how-to manual)

You don’t need a big gym or fancy gear to work on offensive blocking. Here are approachable ways to tune the timing, spacing, and teamwork:

• Seam creation drill: Pair up and take turns trying to open a seam for the other person to pass through. Start slowly, then speed up as you get the hang of the timing.

• Two-on-two wall: Build a small wall with two blockers against two defenders. Practice moving the wall laterally to force the defense into a new position, then let the jammer take advantage.

• Inside-out cue practice: Work on shifting a blocker’s position from inside to outside lane without losing the seam. This helps your crew stay adaptable mid-jam.

• Eye contact and callouts: Do rounds focusing on communication. The one with the best calls gains a few crucial steps in the right direction.

• Safety checks: Every drill should emphasize staying within the rules and protecting each other. If something hurts or feels off, pause and re-evaluate.

Why offensive blocking matters in roller derby

Here’s the bottom line: roller derby thrives on smart teamwork. Offensive blocking shows up in every jam where a teammate needs a runway to score. It isn’t flashy every time, but it’s the quiet engine that powers scoring opportunities. Without it, the pack becomes a stubborn barrier and the jammer stalls. With it, you unlock possibilities, turn defense into opportunity, and keep the tempo up.

A quick analogy to keep in mind: imagine a busy city street during rush hour. If everyone follows their own path with no coordination, traffic jams form and nobody moves. When drivers signal, share lanes, and time their turns, the road opens up. Offensive blocking is that coordinated signal system on the roller derby track. It’s not about a single great hit; it’s about a chorus of calculated moves that lets a teammate glide through.

Safety, sportsmanship, and staying within the lines

A big part of the craft is doing it cleanly. Roller derby has rules for a reason: protect players, keep the game fair, and preserve the thrill. Offensive blocking should feel like a well-choreographed dance—sharp, skilled, and mindful of everyone on the track. If a move risks penalties or injuries, it’s a sign to adjust and find a safer angle.

Bringing it all together

Offensive blocking is where planning meets performance. It’s the art of shaping space to give a teammate a clear path to the other side of the defense. It relies on timing, communication, and trust—plus a healthy dose of practice in real-game settings. When blockers move as one, the seam appears, and the jammer can capitalize with speed, precision, and confidence.

If you’re curious about the broader world of roller derby strategy, you’ll find that offensive blocking connects to a lot of other concepts—the value of a strong pack, how to read the defense’s adjustments, and how to adapt your approach as the jam clock winds down. The track is always changing, and the best teams stay ahead by staying in sync.

So next time you watch a bout, look beyond the hits and the speed. Listen for the calls, watch how teammates reposition, and notice how a well-timed block opens the path for a burst of scoring. That, in essence, is offensive blocking—the teamwork engine that helps skaters turn opportunity into points, one seam at a time.