Blocking with the head is a penalty in roller derby, even when there's no impact.

Outline

• Hook: Roller derby moves fast, but safety is the baseline. A single penalty can change a jam—whether or not it seems to affect the score.

• Core answer: Blocking with the Head is a penalty no matter what—safety comes first.

• Why it matters: The head is off-limits for contact, because misusing it leads to serious injuries.

• How other penalties work: Forearms/hands, and cutting the track—often tied to impact or track advantage.

• How officials call penalties: Ref rules, signals, and the need for consistent enforcement.

• Skills and safety: How skaters should position, block, and protect themselves.

• Practical drills and habits: Simple, game-ready habits to prevent head contact.

• Real-world context: A few quick scenarios and reasoning.

• Takeaway: Safety, technique, and smart decision-making keep the game fierce and fun.

Roller derby is thrilling—the track crackles with energy, the clock ticks, and every move matters. But beneath the adrenaline, the rulebook is the quiet backbone that keeps players safe and the game honest. On the surface, a penalty might seem like a minor hiccup, but in reality it’s a signal: there are lines we do not cross, not even for a moment. That brings us to a crucial point from the Roller Derby Skills Test: Blocking with the Head is a penalty, even if it doesn’t seem to shift the jam.

Blocking with the Head: why safety wins every time

Let me explain the logic in plain terms. Blocking with the head means you’re using your skull or helmet as the primary means to push, shove, or stop an opponent. The rules treat this as inherently dangerous. Heads aren’t built to absorb the same kind of contact as shoulders or hips, and a misread moment can lead to neck injuries, concussions, or worse. So the rule is designed to deter even a momentary head hit, not just in big collisions but in the ordinary contact that happens in a fast sprint around the track.

The point isn’t that other penalties aren’t important. It’s that some infractions depend on impact or game flow to be penalized. For example, cutting the track—snaking the inside line to gain an advantage—usually shows up in the gameplay itself, changing who covers which space and how the jam develops. Blocking with the head, by contrast, is treated as a red flag every single time, a safety imperative that takes precedence over tactical considerations. That distinction matters when you’re watching a game or stepping into your own gear and skates.

A quick tour of related penalties

• Use of forearms and hands: This can be a penalty, but typically referees weigh whether the action was forceful enough to disrupt the opponent or create an unfair advantage. A glancing nudge with the forearms might draw a warning or a full penalty depending on intent and impact.

• Cutting the track: This is almost always tied to a change in the jam’s dynamics. If a skater pushes through or around the boundary to gain position, the referee will call the penalty because it directly affects the fairness of play.

• Blocking with the head: The standout here is the zero-tolerance vibe. It’s a no-go in any jam, any moment.

Referees have a tough job, and consistency matters. They rely on a mix of situational awareness, line calls, and hand signals to convey what’s happening on the track. The point is not to nitpick every hit but to maintain a safe, predictable environment so skaters can push the sport forward without risking serious injuries.

Staying safe on the track: technique and mindset

If you want to reduce penalties and, more importantly, keep yourself and teammates safe, focus on technique and awareness. Blocking should come from the body’s core power and proper alignment, not from the head. Here are a few practical habits:

• Body placement over brute force: Use your shoulders, hips, and torso to deliver solid blocks. Keep your head up for awareness, but never use it as a contact tool.

• Chin tucked, eyes on your target: A tucked chin lowers the risk of whiplash and helps you read the opposing skater’s movements. Your line of sight should guide your block—not your fear or impulse.

• Head and neck control: Practice neck-and-shoulder stability. A stable neck reduces the chance of accidental head contact when momentum runs high.

• Angle your approach: Instead of crashing head-first, angle your body to intersect the rival’s path. This protects both you and them and often yields a cleaner, more controlled block.

• Footwork that buys time: Quick direction changes, tight steps, and solid stance help you keep your balance so you don’t resort to head contact in the heat of a jam.

• Communication matters: A quick verbal cue or a visible hand signal can help teammates anticipate shifts in blockers and blockers’ response time.

Training tips you can use in drills (without using the word practice)

We’ll call them drills, because that’s the language skaters use in the gym and on the track. Here are some simple, game-ready moves to cultivate safe blocking habits:

• Shoulder-first drills: Pair up and practice shoulder blocks in controlled lanes. The goal is to feel solid contact without bending the head toward your opponent.

• Hip-check flow: Work on leveraging hip movement to redirect an opponent’s momentum. This builds power without risky head engagement.

• Angled wall work: Stand close to a padded wall and practice at different angles to learn how your body naturally tracks a skater’s movement. This builds anticipation and reduces last-second head trades.

• Vision and timing: Place cones along the track and practice reading an opponent’s approach. The aim is to react with torso rotation and footwork rather than throwing a head-heavy hit.

• Stop-and-redirect: Use short sprints to a marked line, then redirect with a controlled block. This simulates the sudden changes that happen in real jams without crossing safety lines.

A few real-world insights

People often underestimate how quickly a jam can change direction. One moment you’re in a straight sprint; the next, the opponent plants, pivots, and you’re aiming where you want to be next. It’s in those moments that the head makes bad choices—usually when panic sets in or when you’re trying to win a contact contest rather than win clean, safe blocks.

Consider this scenario: A skater tries to cut the track to steal an advantageous line. The defensive blocker reads the move, stays steady, and uses a shoulder or hip push to slow or redirect, rather than leaning in with the head. The result is a safer, smarter outcome for both players, and a clearer, fairer jam for everyone watching.

What this means for your mindset on game day

The key takeaway is simple: safety isn’t a sideline concern; it’s the core rule you build around. When you approach a jam, imagine you’re playing chess with momentum. Each move should consider not only the payoff of the next few seconds but the risk to your body and your opponent’s well-being. It’s not about avoiding penalties at all costs; it’s about choosing the most reliable, skillful option that keeps you in the game and keeps others safe too.

If you’re new to the sport or returning after a break, don’t worry about perfection. Focus on learning the right channels for contact, practicing controlled movements, and building muscle memory for safe blocking. The more you tune into your body and your surroundings, the quicker penalties will become less frequent and less daunting.

A few practical reminders

• Remember: Blocking with the Head is a no-go, regardless of what’s happening in the jam.

• Keep your core engaged, back straight, and head in a protective, but not intrusive, position.

• When in doubt, prioritize heading off a collision with your torso and hips rather than risking head contact.

• Study the rulebook or safe-guard guidelines the league uses. It’s not about memorization so much as understanding why certain actions are disallowed.

Closing thought

Roller derby is a sport built on speed, skill, and courage. It’s also a discipline where safety and fair play aren’t afterthoughts—they’re the foundation. The Roller Derby Skills Test point about head contact isn’t a nagging rule; it’s a reminder that the track deserves careful respect from every skater. When you internalize that idea, you’ll find your blocks become cleaner, your timing sharper, and the jams more exciting to watch.

If you’re curious about how different leagues teach these concepts, you’ll find a shared emphasis across communities: grow your technique, protect yourself, and lift teammates up with smart, assertive play. The result isn’t just a stronger individual; it’s a stronger, safer team that can handle the sport’s pace with grit and grace. And that’s the essence of roller derby—the rush, the strategy, and the shared commitment to playing hard while staying safe.