Blockers in roller derby play a vital dual role: supporting the jammer while preventing the opposing jammer from scoring

Blockers: the engine behind every successful jam

If you’ve ever watched a roller derby bout, you’ve probably noticed the blockers more than you think. They aren’t just bystanders in orange and black; they’re the engine that makes a jam work. The primary role of the blocker? To provide support for their jammer while preventing the opposing jammer from scoring. Sounds simple, right? But it’s a living, breathing mix of defense, timing, and teamwork that can flip a bout in a heartbeat.

Let me explain why blockers are so essential. The jammer is the spark, yes, but the blocker is the fuse machine—the thing that either fuels the spark or snuffs it out. A solid blocker line creates a wall that slows the other team’s jammer and creates lanes for their own jammer to surge through. Without that wall, a jammer is just skating into a crowd, trying to bend physics with a dream and a helmet. With a well-executed blocker strategy, both defense and offense rise together.

What blockers actually do on track

Think of blockers as two things at once: shield and doorway. They shield their jammer from opposing forces and they open doors for their own jammer to slip past. The most visible element is the wall—one of the sport’s iconic images. A four-wall or two-wall setup can feel like a brick sculpture in motion, each skater playing a precise role to keep the momentum in their corner.

Here’s the core of it in plain terms:

• Defense first: block the opposing jammer from scoring by holding back and controlling space.

• Offense second: clear paths by moving blockers aside, guiding their own jammer toward gaps.

• Timing is everything: a split-second decision to move, pivot, or shift can mean the difference between a power jam and a stalled pack.

Blockers don’t simply push; they aim to disrupt, redirect, and protect. They use body positioning, angles, and controlled contact to slow the other jammer without drawing penalties. They also work to shield their own jammer from hits that would derail a scoring run. It’s a delicate balance—forceful enough to break the other team’s momentum, but precise enough to stay clean and keep the team on the right side of the rules.

Wall tactics: building and breaking on the fly

Walls are the bread and butter of blocker work, and they come in several flavors. The most common are the classic four-wall and the flexible two-wall. The four-wall traps and tortures the opponent, squeezing speed and options. The two-wall is leaner, faster, and more reactive, allowing blockers to adjust as the jam evolves.

The real artistry lies in timing and connection:

• Hip-to-hip alignment matters. When blockers form a tight, connected line, they move as one unit. Gaps shrink; the opposing jammer has fewer lanes to exploit.

• Shoulder and arm control keep contact legal and efficient. It’s not about shoving; it’s about positioning and leverage.

• Angling, not flailing. Angling means you guide the jammer toward the pack’s neutral zones, not just standing in the way. The goal is pressure, not chaos.

And yes, the pack moves. A blocker’s job isn’t to stay perfectly still; it’s to ride the edge of the momentum, shifting weight and stance so the wall breathes with the jam. This is where experience comes in—knowing when to hold, when to move, and when to switch from defense to offense to keep the tempo in your favor.

Blocking tactics that stay within the rules

Roller derby rewards smart, clean play. The best blockers combine aggression with discipline. Here are some practical approaches you’ll see on a well-oiled team:

• Positioning over power: a well-placed shoulder or hip can slow the jammer without inviting penalties. It’s less about brute force and more about smart geometry.

• Keeping eyes on the prize: watch the opposing jammer’s path and anticipate their moves. If you can predict where they’ll go, you can intercept before they reach your jammer’s lane.

• Shielding your jammer: when the pack tightens, you create a protective lane, body-blocking the view of the opposing jammer so your jam can slip through.

• Reading the pack: as the track shifts, the blockers adjust. A good blocker isn’t just reacting—they’re forecasting where the lane will open next.

Communication and chemistry: the secret sauce

On the track, you’re never alone. The best blockers sync with their jam, calling out changes, signposting the target, and using nonverbal cues to keep the team cohesive. Quick talk can be the difference between a clean route and a tangled jam.

Some simple habits help a lot:

• Callouts: “Inside,” “Outside,” “Back,” “Open lane,”—clear, concise, and constant.

• Nonverbal cues: nods, hand signals, or a shared look to confirm a switch in responsibility when the jam shifts direction.

• Trust and timing: blockers who trust their jammer and vice versa get more efficient results. It’s a dance, and timing is everything.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

Even seasoned blockers stumble. It’s part of the learning curve. A few frequent hiccups and how to tighten them up:

• Overcommitting to contact: it’s tempting to go for the hit, but finesse matters. Focus on positioning, not brute hits.

• Dropping the wall when chaos erupts: in a tight pack, maintain the wall and allow your teammate to cover the gaps.

• Losing track of the opposing jammer: keep one eye on the other pack, one on your own jammer. The best blockers are multitaskers.

Real-world snapshots: blockers in action

Picture a jam where the reigning jammer is weaving through the pack. A frontline wall presses, then shifts, pushing the jammer toward the inside line. A well-timed shoulder check to disrupt the angle, not the body, keeps the opposition from breaking through. Meanwhile, the team’s jammer finds a seam, aided by blockers clearing the way with strategic footwork and tight lanes. The tempo changes—suddenly, the blocker line has turned a near-stalemate into a scoring window. That’s the moment when the blocker’s dual role shines: hold the line, create opportunity, and safeguard momentum.

The mental side: focus, not ferocity

Blockers must stay calm under pressure. That calm is as important as any axiom of technique. When nerves rise, count on what you can control: your posture, your line, your distance to the opposing jammer. It’s not about fearlessness; it’s about disciplined focus and reliable execution.

What to work on next (without turning this into a grind)

If you want to fine-tune blocker skills, here are approachable, real-world focuses:

• Master the basics of wall formation in different pack speeds. Practice quick transitions between four-wall and two-wall setups.

• Sharpen your spatial awareness. Track the jammer’s path and the pack’s momentum at the same time.

• Build endurance and speed. Short bursts and sustained skating help keep the wall sturdy when fatigue hits.

• Drill communication. Practice calling lines and lanes with your teammates; good talk reduces confusion on the track.

A few quick drills you might try with your team

For those who like hands-on, here are some practical drills that keep things constructive and fun:

• The Wall Drill: form a solid four-wall, then rotate blockers to test maintaining the line while a jammer attempts to slip through. Emphasize balance, hip distance, and timing.

• Back-to-Back Blockers: two blockers shade a potential lane while a third tries to pass between them. The goal is to stay connected and move as a unit.

• Inside-Outside Sprint: practice rapid shifts from inside lanes to outside lanes as the jam progresses. This builds agility and keeps the wall deceptive.

• Shield and Clear: one blocker shields the jammer while another clears the space ahead. It’s about trust and precise handoffs of responsibility.

Where blockers fit into the larger game plan

Blockers are part of a larger system that includes the jammer, the pivot, and the rest of the pack. A well-coordinated team uses blockers to slow the opposition, open scoring lanes, and protect its own jammer from hits that could derail a run. It’s a balancing act: too aggressive, and penalties creep in; too passive, and the other side gains the upper hand. The art is in finding that sweet spot where control meets opportunity.

A quick note on gear and style

Skaters bring their own flavor to blocking. Some rely on low, stable stances that hold a wall like a brick fortress. Others favor quick footwork and dynamic pivots to seal gaps as soon as they appear. Regardless of style, the goal stays the same: protect your jammer while preventing the other side from scoring. You’ll see a lot of personal flair, but the clean, disciplined basics are what win championships.

The bottom line

Blockers don’t get the same flash as the jam, but they set the stage for every score. Their primary job is simple in words and complex in practice: provide support for their jammer while stopping the opposing jammer from scoring. When blockers execute that dual role with precision, the entire team breathes easier. The pack stays strong, the jam gains momentum, and victories start to feel a lot closer.

If you’re stepping onto a flat track for the first time or you’re sharpening your game with a new squad, remember this: great blockers are the backbone of a winning team. They combine defense and offense in one fluid motion, read the pack like a living map, communicate with purpose, and stay calm under pressure. It’s not glamorous in the spotlight, but it’s where the magic happens—the moment a wall becomes a runway, and a single jam becomes a story you’ll tell afterward with a grin.