What does "smart blocking" involve?

"Smart blocking" in roller derby emphasizes the importance of strategy and anticipation in gameplay. It involves predicting the movements and tactics of opponents, allowing a blocker to effectively position themselves to impede the opposing team's scoring attempts while also protecting their own teammates. By anticipating the opponent's moves, blockers can execute their techniques more effectively, utilizing their body positioning and timing to disrupt plays rather than relying on sheer strength. This approach not only enhances defensive capabilities but also supports a more strategic and calculated style of play, making it easier to create advantageous situations for one’s own team.

Brute force is less effective in that it may not always align well with the fluid dynamics of the game, and blocking without a strategy can lead to missed opportunities and potential penalties, thereby diminishing the overall effectiveness of the blocker on the track. Creating scoring opportunities is an important aspect of the game, but it would not encapsulate the essence of what smart blocking represents.