What is the primary position of a blocker in roller derby?

The role of a blocker in roller derby is crucial for both defensive and offensive strategies during a bout. Primarily, the blocker is responsible for obstructing the opposing team's jammers while protecting their own team's jammer. This involves skating in a way that creates barriers, positioning themselves strategically on the track to disrupt the flow of the opposing team and slow down their advancement. A successful blocker uses their body to make it difficult for the opposing jammer to score points, all while ensuring their own jammer can navigate through the pack for scoring opportunities.

While other roles such as jammers focus on scoring points by lapping opponents, blockers are not primarily focused on scoring directly but rather on creating conditions that allow their own team to excel. Monitoring the game and making tactical decisions is more of a strategic aspect that can certainly be part of a blocker’s duties, but their primary function remains the physical engagement in impeding opponents and enabling their jammer’s success. Thus, the most accurate description of a blocker’s primary position is to impede opposing skaters and protect their own jammer.