What is a Pancake Block in Football? (Explained) (2024)

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What is a Pancake Block in Football? (Explained)

What is a Pancake Block in Football? (Explained) (3)

Every offensive lineman dreams of executing pancake blocks.

It's the outcome coaches hope for in every block by every offensive lineman on every running play.

While there is no official statistic for pancake blocks in football, it's one of the most celebrated plays by offensive line coaches and offensive line groups.

While a pancake block doesn't result in a score, it does often result in a big play for the offense since it completely takes a defender out of the play.

Let's take a closer look at what a pancake block is, where it came from and how to execute one.

What is a Pancake Block?

A pancake block isn't a specific play that called in a huddle.

Instead, it's a term that's used to describe the end result of a run block by an offensive lineman that sees the defensive player end up flat on his back.

When an offensive lineman is able to execute on his technique perfectly and completely overpower the person he's blocking, his power and momentum can cause the defensive player to topple over straight backward.

This is why it's called the pancake block... because in the end, the defensive player is lying on his back, flat as a pancake.

Executing a pancake blockeffectivelyopens up a huge hole along the line for a running back to go through.

A pancake block can only happen on running plays, as the offensive lineman will need to drive straight through the defender downfield -- as opposed to sitting back and protecting the QB like on a passing play.

Where the Term "Pancake Block" Came From

During the 1983 and 1984 collegiate season, University of Pittsburgh offensive tackle Bill Fralic reigned supreme on the field.

He was an All-American player andsimplydevastated defenders.

Fralic had a propensity to block opponents so well that he ended up knocking them down on their back.

He was so good at doing it that the coaches at Pitt began to count the number of times he was able to register this kind of block in a game.

The department of media relations at the university soon labeled Fralic's blocks as "pancakes," andeventuallystuck as an unofficial term.

In the years that followed, other universities began to use the term.Nebraska, for instance, started using it when referring to their offensive line.

At Ohio State, all-world lineman (and future NFL Hall of Famer) Orlando Pace was so dominant that the department of media relations sent magnetic pancakes as a reminder to voters for collegiate awards to vote for Pace and his awesome talents.

Today, the term pancake block iswidelyused in all football, at all levels, to describe the block where defenders end up flat on their back.

How to Execute a Pancake Block

It's simple to teach the pancake block, but it is not easy to execute.

If you're an offensive lineman who wants to learn how to do pancake blocks, follow these steps.

Step #1: Hand on the Ground

First, when you're in your three-point stance for a running play, put a little more weight on the hand you put on the ground.

This will help to increase the forward momentum of your body.

Step #2: Explode at the Snap

At the snap of the ball, fire hard out of your stance, and immediately engage with the player you're assigned to block.

The key is to get your hands under the chest pads of your opponent right away which willgive you the leverage needed to execute a pancake block.

Step #3: High and Low

At the same time, you'll need to have your center of gravity low to the ground, pushing up and back at the same time.

In essence, you will be knocking them off balance by pushing them up off their feet and back at the same time.

Once you start to get them off balance, you need to drive them hard straight back downfield.

Keep your head up while you do this so the defender can'tsimplypush down on the back of your helmet to knock you off balance.

Step #4: Strong Arms and Feet

Keep your feet moving as you're driving defenders back, and keep your hands strong and your arms tight.

At this point, they willbasicallybe stumbling back on their feet.

Step #5: Roll Your Hips

This is when you want to roll your hips.

Ultimately, you'll end up putting defenders on their back with the power of your core and legs.

When you roll your hips in this way, you'll be thrusting the defender completely off the ground.

Tip #6: Landing It Right

When their feet lose contact with the ground, follow them forward.

Explode through their body, and as they fall to the ground with their head up, you'll be driving them down with your head down.

You'll landdirectlyon top of the defender when you execute a pancake blockperfectly.

This will not only take your defender out of the play, but will also help your team gain yards on the run.

Executing a pancake block create a physical obstacle of your body and his standing in the way of other defenders and the running back on your team.

Conclusion

While there is no official statistic to track pancake blocks, you can bet that all offensive line coaches are paying attention to how many of these plays their linemen are able to execute.

The pancake block is a devastating block by an offensive lineman in which the defender he's blocking ends up flat on his back.

With some lessons and some practice, you can learn how to execute a pancake block and open up huge holes in the running game.

What is a Pancake Block in Football? (Explained) (4)

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What is a Pancake Block in Football? (Explained) (2024)

FAQs

What is a pancake block in football? ›

A pancake block isn't a specific play that called in a huddle. Instead, it's a term that's used to describe the end result of a run block by an offensive lineman that sees the defensive player end up flat on his back.

What does pancake mean in soccer? ›

A pancake in football isn't a move, per se, it is the result of a well-executed block where the defender ends up lying flat on their back, like a pancake. Usually performed by offensive linemen, pancake blocks are what these players strive for each play.

What is a pancake in American football? ›

A pancake block is the term used by offensive linemen and their coaches to describe a block that leaves a defensive player flat on his back, creating a gaping hole for a ballcarrier to run through.

What is a block in football? ›

In American football, blocking or interference (or running interference) involves legal movements in which one player uses his body to obstructs another player's path.

What is the definition of a pancake? ›

: a flat cake made of thin batter and cooked (as on a griddle) on both sides. pancake.

Who invented the pancake block? ›

Pace, the inventor of the pancake block in 1996 — in which an offensive lineman puts a defensive lineman on his back — did not allow a sack during the '95 and '96 seasons while showcasing a devastating downfield blocking ability.

What is a pancake hit? ›

While many are simply nameless desperation hits, some of these have a specific name that identifies them because they are so unique. So what is a pancake in volleyball? The pancake is a one-handed dive dig that's a last ditch effort to keep the ball in play. #7 gets the pancake while #9 moves to assist.

What is 5 goals in a soccer game called? ›

For reference: 2 = brace, 3 = hat-trick, 4 = haul, 5 = glut, 6 = double hat-trick, 7 = haul-trick.

How do you pancake a defensive lineman? ›

Follow them into the air. Once your opponent's feet leave the ground, it's all over for them. Explode up off of the ground, exactly as you would if you were tackling them, and keep their momentum going upwards. Follow them back to the ground.

What is a cupcake game in football? ›

The term cupcake is a commonly used term to refer to a game a good team schedules against a weaker team and should win. I rolled with it and invented the terms “dinner roll” to refer to the not-so-unfair games that some teams scheduled and “spinach” to refer to an evenly matched game.

Why do they flip a coin in football? ›

The coin toss is a technical procedure to determine a set of rules; first and foremost is to decide which team takes the kick-off to start the game in the second half and in extra time.

What blocks are illegal in football? ›

Blocks an opponent (from behind) in the back above the opponent's waist, or uses his hands or arms to push an opponent from behind in a manner that affects his movement, except in close-line play. Note: The prohibition applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a scrimmage kick.

What does block mean in sport? ›

In basketball, a block or blocked shot occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player to prevent a score. The defender is not allowed to make contact with the offensive player's hand (unless the defender is also in contact with the ball) or a foul is called.

What is a pancake Class 4? ›

A pancake is a cake made on a pan. People from different parts of the world use different ingredients, different techniques and even different utensils to make a pancake.

What kind of word is pancake? ›

Noun. A thin batter cake fried in a pan or on a griddle in oil or butter; in particular: In England, an often unleavened cake similar to a crepe.

What are words for pancake? ›

Synonyms of pancake
  • hotcake.
  • flapjack.
  • blin.
  • crêpe.
  • griddle cake.
  • crepe.
  • slapjack.
  • blintz.

How did pancake get its name? ›

Nonetheless, pancakes were once so-called because they were cakes cooked in pans. It seems to follow that knowing that fact about pancakes, or “pancakes,” is different from knowing what pancakes are called, that their name is a combination of expressions for pans and cakes, and that pancakes are cakes cooked in pans.

What is the history of the pancake? ›

600 BC - The first recorded mention of pancakes dates back to ancient Greece and comes from a poet who described warm pancakes in one of his writings. 1100 AD – Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) becomes a traditional way to use up dairy products before lent – the pancake breakfast is born.

How did the pancake originally get its name? ›

People began using the word “pancake” during the 15th century, and the word became standard in 19th century America. Previously, people referred to them as Indian cakes, hoe cakes, johnnycakes, journey cakes, buckwheat cakes, griddle cakes, and flapjacks. Early American pancakes were made with buckwheat or cornmeal.

How do you flip the pancake game? ›

The idea is for the current player to flip as many of the pancakes over as they can by literally using the pan to turn them over in the air. If five turn over, the flipper can pick up one of the face-up pancakes as a bonus.

How do you PancakeSwap? ›

How to Use PancakeSwap
  1. Step 1: Create Your Crypto Wallet (MetaMask or Binance Smart Wallet Are Recommended) https://metamask.io/ ...
  2. Step 2: Transfer your Crypto Coin from Your Wallet. ...
  3. Step 3: Add Liquidity Pool. ...
  4. Step 4: Select Farming Pool. ...
  5. Step 5: Staking on PancakeSwap.
Aug 10, 2022

What is the first pancake theory? ›

The first pancake is in effect the trial run, working out the kinks before all the variables of even heat and pan seasoning come together. While that first pancake cooks the pan comes to temperature, and it absorbs just enough of the fat on the cooking surface so that second one will cook more evenly.

What is a number 3 pancake? ›

The most number of flips that could possibly be needed is for the 1-3-2 case, and this is three flips. The pancake number for three pancakes is three. PN(3) = 3.

What is a pancake in dating? ›

A bad pancake, according to the trusted source Urban Dictionary, is in its essence the first guy you have sex with or date after the end of a serious relationship. And much like the first pancake you try to make during breakfast, it gets burnt.

What is 3 goals in a row called? ›

Hat-trick

Bet you didn't know cricket teams scored hat-tricks! A player gets a hat-trick when they score three goals in one game, but the use of the term actually didn't start on the football pitch. The phrase came from cricket, and was used when a bowler took three wickets from three consecutive balls.

What are 2 goals called? ›

To score a 'brace' means that you have scored two goals in a game. It precedes a hat-trick, where a single player scores three goals during a game.

What is a joker in soccer? ›

The joker or neutral player is an extra player that can be used as internal and external support (i.e. in and out of the playing field) to assist other players in defensive and/or offensive phases (Hill-Haas et al., 2011).

Can you throw to a linemen? ›

Under almost all versions of football, offensive linemen cannot receive or touch forward passes, nor can they advance downfield in passing situations. To identify which receivers are eligible and which are not, football rules stipulate that ineligible receivers must wear a number between 50 and 79.

What is hot potato football? ›

In the classic children's game of "Hot Potato", the player holding the "hot potato" when time runs out is eliminated. The term has since been extended to encompass any object that is not safe to keep in one's possession for any length of time (such as, in this case, a ball about to explode).

What is a red bandana football game? ›

The Red Bandana Game is an annual home game where BC football players wear special uniforms and fans sport red bandanas in honor of Welles Crowther, the “man in the red bandana” who saved up to 18 people during the Sept. 11 attacks.

How do you play Pizza Box football? ›

Players unfold the game board (the field) and lay it inside the unfolded pizza box. The cards guide the players as they play and show the players which dice to roll. Players must apply football strategy in order to win (when to run, when to short pass, when to long pass and when to try to fool the other team).

Why do they call it throwing a dime in football? ›

They define a “dime” as a pass that travels at least 30 yards in the air and fits into windows of one yard or less.

Why is it called a dime in football? ›

This sixth defensive back is called a "dimeback" (D). The defense gets its name because a dime, worth ten cents, is the next step up in United States coin currency from a nickel, which is worth 5 cents.

What does dime in football mean? ›

What is the dime package? The dime package refers to six defensive backs on the field at the same time. The defense now employs four down linemen, one linebacker and six defensive backs. It is a lot like the nickel package. The only difference is a sixth defensive back for the Sam linebacker.

What kind of blocks are illegal in football? ›

Blocks an opponent (from behind) in the back above the opponent's waist, or uses his hands or arms to push an opponent from behind in a manner that affects his movement, except in close-line play. Note: The prohibition applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a scrimmage kick.

Is a chop block illegal in football? ›

All Chop Blocks are illegal, including in the following situations: Forward pass plays and kicking plays: A1 chops a defensive player while the defensive player is physically engaged above the waist by the blocking attempt of A2.

What is an illegal block in football called? ›

An illegal block in the back penalty (officially known as illegal block above the waist) is called when a player makes contact with an opposing player, who does not have the ball, above the waist from behind.

What studs are not allowed in football? ›

Must not be longer than 21 mm. Must not have any burring or sharp edges. At least 10mm diameter at the end. All edges of the studs/cleats should be finished smooth and rounded to a radius of not less than 1mm.

What is the rarest penalty in the NFL? ›

What are some of the rarest penalties ever called in an NFL game? The “Palpably Unfair Act” rule, which allows a team to be awarded a touchdown after consultation by the officials is the rarest, as it's never actually been called yet in an NFL game (though there have been a few such calls in the NCAA game).

Can you push a player from behind in football? ›

By the strictest definition of a push, any contact from behind could be considered a push in the back, so the rule is usually enforced under only the following three circ*mstances: If a player is bent over or on his knees, usually to win or protect the football, and an opponent knocks him over from behind.

What are the three types of blocks? ›

Types of Hollow Concrete Blocks:

Pillar block. Jamb block. Partition block.

What are the six blocks types? ›

Contents
  • 1.1 s-block.
  • 1.2 p-block.
  • 1.3 d-block.
  • 1.4 f-block.
  • 1.5 g-block.

Why is it called a low block football? ›

The term 'low block' refers to the defensive strategy for teams that sit back closest to their goal, as opposed to teams that use a mid-block or a high press.

What hits are illegal in football? ›

If the defender maintains contact beyond five yards, it is illegal contact. Beyond the five-yard zone, incidental contact may exist between receiver and defender. Penalty: For illegal contact by the defense: Loss of five yards and automatic first down.

Why is the wedge block illegal in football? ›

In 2009, coming to the conclusion that too many players were being injured while colliding and/or participating in a wedge block, the NFL's owners came together to ban the formation from use starting in the 2009 season.

What is a crackback block? ›

A crackback block is a blocking scheme element where a player split out wide, or in the slot, will motion in toward the formation and deliver a block to the blindside of an edge defender.

Can offensive lineman push in the back? ›

Blocking in the back continues to be legal in the free-blocking zone by offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap, against defensive players who are in the zone at the snap and the contact is in the zone.

Can a defensive lineman cut block? ›

A cut block (or block below the waist) is allowed to occur within five yards of the line of scrimmage and two yards outside the offensive tackles. A block below the waist outside this window is illegal, including by a defensive player, most often a defensive back, cutting an offensive lineman in space as he is pulling.

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