What is meant by 'offensive blocking' in roller derby?

Offensive blocking in roller derby refers to blocking strategies that are designed to create pathways or openings for a teammate to pass through the opposing defense. This type of blocking is primarily focused on facilitating a teammate's movement and enhancing their ability to score.

In roller derby, effective offensive blocking involves positioning oneself in a way that not only obstructs opponents but also allows the blocker’s teammates, typically the jammers, to maneuver through the pack more efficiently. The goal is to work collaboratively to advance the scoring player while minimizing the defensive impact of the opposing team.

While other techniques and methods such as scoring directly or disrupting formations play a part in gameplay, they do not accurately embody the essence of offensive blocking, which centers around teamwork in accessing space and scoring opportunities on the track.