Blocking is legal and strategic in roller derby, while hitting must follow specific rules.

How is "blocking" different from "hitting"?

• A. Blocking is always illegal, while hitting is strategic
• B. Blocking is legal and strategic, while hitting must be performed within specific rules
• C. Blocking is a defensive move, while hitting is offensive
• D. Blocking involves physical contact, while hitting does not

Answer: (B)

Blocking is regarded as a legal and strategic maneuver within roller derby, designed to impede or control opposing players' movement without resulting in penalties. It requires positioning and timing, enabling a blocker to effectively use their body to create obstacles for the opposing team. This technique involves adhering to specific rules, such as where contact can be made and how players must remain on their skates. Hitting, on the other hand, is also a physical action but is governed by strict rules regarding how it is executed. While hitting can be part of a strategic plan, it must be done within the confines of the rules to avoid fouls. Properly executing hits involves knowing the limitations and ensuring that contact is made legally to avoid penalties. Thus, the distinction lies in the legality and strategic purpose of blocking versus the regulated nature of hitting. In summary, blocking serves as a legal strategy in gameplay to gain control of the situation, while hitting requires careful adherence to the rules.

Outline

• Intro: roller derby as a fast-paced blend of speed, strategy, and timing

• Blocking: what it is, why it’s legal, how it’s executed

• Hitting: what makes a hit legal or illegal, how it’s regulated

• The key distinction: blocking as a legal, strategic tool vs hits governed by rules

• How this plays out in real games: flow, positioning, and smart play

• Quick takeaways: mental checklists and watching tips

• Close with a relatable thought or two

Block by block: understanding the core idea

Roller derby isn’t only about speed and grit; it’s a dynamic puzzle on wheels. You’ll hear players talk about blocks and hits like they’re the two big moves in a chess game—one is a steady, smart advance; the other is a burst of contact that has to stay inside the rules. Let me break down what each term really means on the track, so you know what to look for when you watch a bout or step into drills.

Blocking: the legal, strategic engine of the game

Blocking is a legal, deliberate act designed to slow, steer, or trap opponents. It’s not about rocking up and crashing through; it’s about body positioning, timing, and using the space you have. A good blocker thinks like a linebacker and a center fielder at once. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Positioning over power. A blocker doesn’t stare down a skater and hope for the best. They create a wall or angle to guide the opposing player into a less dangerous path. The aim isn’t to crush; it’s to control.

• Staying on skates, using contact wisely. The contact you’re allowed to use comes from your hips, torso, and shoulders, but you’ve got to keep your feet moving and stay balanced. You don’t want to topple your own team or put yourself in a penalty trap.

• Timing is everything. A well-timed shift to the inside or outside lane can pin a jammer behind the pack or open a lane for your teammate. It’s like dancing with a partner—if you move too soon or too late, the move falls flat.

• Rules-minded blocking. You’re aiming to hinder without fouling. That means no elbow into a head, no tripping, no blocking a skater who is down, and no blocking in ways that slow teammates unfairly. Blocking stays clean; the penalty box is not a place you want to visit.

In short, blocking is the backbone of solid defense. It’s legal, it’s strategic, and it keeps the game moving with rhythm and flow. It’s also the steadier, more measurable skill—something you can train with drills that emphasize stance, footwork, and angle control.

Hitting: the regulated, sometimes spectacular athletic move

Hitting is also a normal part of the sport, but it’s tightly governed. The idea is to impact or influence an opponent’s motion without crossing lines that end in fouls or injuries. Here’s how it tends to play out on the track:

• Intent matters, but so do the rules. A hit can be a strong push or contact aimed at slowing an opponent, but it must come from within the allowed zones and with proper technique. The moment your contact targets the head, neck, or back, or uses an illegal form, penalties follow.

• The body you can use is specific. Hits are generally delivered with the shoulder and torso, and sometimes the hips or arms, but there are limits. You’ll hear coaches emphasize staying within the “legal contact window” and avoiding dangerous contact.

• It’s about timing and space, not brutality. A well-timed hit can break an advance or disrupt a jammer’s momentum, but a sloppy hit can trigger a foul and swing momentum back to the other side. You’re balancing power with precision.

• Situational awareness. Hits aren’t a free-for-all. If the pack is in a tight jam, or if a skater is already out of position, a hit can become dangerous. The rules exist to protect skaters and keep play fair.

Think of hitting as a legitimate weapon in your toolkit, but one that’s heavily regulated. Used judiciously, it can turn a play in your favor. Used recklessly, it costs your team valuable time and points.

The big distinction, clearly stated

Here’s the heart of the difference, boiled down: blocking is a legal, strategic tool used to slow, redirect, or contain opponents without penalties. It’s the core method for shaping the corridor of play. Hitting is a physical action that’s allowed within strict rules. It can be part of a game plan, but it must be performed within those rules to avoid fouls. So while both moves involve contact, blocking is about positioning and control, and hitting is about controlled impact within a legal framework.

Why the distinction matters, beyond the playbook

Understanding this difference isn’t just about winning a point or two. It’s about safety, consistency, and momentum. When players block well, the pack moves predictably; teammates can cooperate to push the offense backward or create lanes for the wheels to slip through. When hits are delivered with proper form, it can be the spark that shifts the balance—crowd energy rises, and the scoreboard can swing quickly.

But when hits go astray, penalties pile up. A single illegal hit can put the other team on a power jam, which is a big swing in the wrong direction. That’s not just a loss in tempo; it’s a risk to a skater’s health and a dent in the strategy you’ve been building.

Watching it in action: what to notice on the track

If you’re watching a bout or thinking about how to translate this into your own game, here are practical cues to keep an eye on:

• The stance matters. A winning blocker has a solid low center of gravity, knees bent, shoulders aligned with the direction of travel. This stance makes blocks predictable and hard to disrupt.

• The angle of attack. Effective blockers don’t just ram straight ahead; they create angle. They step into a line that forces the opponent to change course, ideally toward friendly teammates.

• The space you’re using. Blocking uses lane control—how you funnel the opposing jammer into tight corners or away from your pack. It’s less about raw strength and more about smart geometry.

• Contact quality. Look for clean, controlled contact that slows or alters an opponent’s path without jarring teammates or risking fouls. When you see a player delivering a hit to the torso with proper form, you’re seeing the regulated version in action.

• Communication. Blocking isn’t a solo act. Teammates call shifts, switch directions, and help form barriers. The best blocks feel like a well-rehearsed chorus rather than a solo scream.

A few practical tips you can weave into drills or warm-ups

• Drill emphasis: stance and footwork. Spend time getting the hips ready to move laterally; the quicker your feet react, the more precise your blocks become.

• Angle awareness. Set up cones or markers and practice moving blockers to intercept the path of a simulated jammer, then return to your lane without losing balance.

• Contact control. Practice light contact first, focusing on where you’re touching and how you’re distributing force. Increase intensity gradually while maintaining control.

• Reading the pack. Train your eyes to scan the pack’s movement. A blocker who anticipates the pack’s shifts can slot into a blocking lane with precision.

• Watch and learn. Study bouts (there are plenty online) and notice how seasoned skaters balance blocking with timely hits. You’ll start recognizing patterns that translate into your own play.

A few digressions that still circle back

If you’ve ever watched a road race or a team sport with long passes, you know what it feels like to anticipate the moment a blocker will create a lane. The same instinct exists in roller derby. It’s a blend of muscle memory and situational awareness. Also, consider gear as a factor. Good padding isn’t flashy, but it helps skaters stay aggressive without burning out from fear of injury. The right pads, proper skates, and a well-waxed track make the difference between a clean block and a missed opportunity.

And yes, you’ll hear coaches talk about discipline. Some of the best blockers aren’t the strongest ones; they’re the most patient. They know when to press, when to hold, and when to pivot. They also know that sometimes the smartest move is not to engage at all, letting the jam evolve in a different direction.

What this means for your game mindset

• Be intentionally tactical. If you’re a blocker, your job is to shape the space and tempo. Don’t chase glory; chase advantage.

• Respect the rules, always. You’ll develop a sharper sense of what’s allowed and what isn’t, which reduces penalties and keeps your team playing at full strength.

• Stay adaptable. The track is dynamic; blockers must adjust their stance, speed, and angle as the pack moves. That adaptability is as important as raw strength.

• Balance offense and defense. Even when you’re blocking, you’re contributing to your team’s offense by creating room for your jammers to push through.

A closing thought that ties it all together

Blocking and hitting aren’t rival moves; they’re complementary tools in a skater’s kit. Blocking creates the lanes, timing, and control you rely on to shape a play. Hitting delivers the decisive momentum within the rules that can turn a tight moment into a breakthrough. When you can weave both into a seamless rhythm, you’re not just playing—you’re choreographing.

If you’re curious to see this in action, pay attention to how veteran skaters weave in and out of contact, how they hold lines, and how clean, legal hits punctuate a sequence without derailing safety. You’ll start noticing the subtle craft behind every push, every wall, and every calculated nudge that makes roller derby such a compelling blend of sport, strategy, and raw athletic grit.