The pancake block is the consequence of an offensive lineman’s run block on a defensive player, which causes the defensive player to end up on his back in a flat position. In this article, you will get more about what a pancake in football is and how to execute it.
What Is A Pancake Block?
In football, an offensive line coach and offensive lineman may often refer to a block as a “pancake block” if it causes a defensive player to fall flat on his back, just as the rushing back is about to go through a hole in the field.
The pancake block is an example of an offensive lineman achieving a decisive win over a defensive lineman or linebacker to create a significant opening for the running back to exploit.
Where The Term “Pancake Block” Came From
Bill Fralic, an offensive lineman for the University of Pittsburgh football team, dominated the competition on the field during the 1983 and 1984 college seasons. He was a player of All-American caliber who wreaked havoc on opposing defenses.
It was common for Fralic to block his adversaries so well that he would send them tumbling to the ground on their backs. Because he was so skilled at executing it, the coaches at Pitt started keeping track of how many times he could record this sort of block throughout a game because of how often he did it.
The university’s Department of public relations immediately began referring to Fralic’s blocks as “pancakes,” The name gradually became accepted as an unofficial description of the blocks. After those first years, several other educational institutions started using the phrase.
At Ohio State, all-world lineman 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. Nebraska, for example, started using it when referring to their offensive line.
At Ohio State, all-world lineman (and future inductee into the NFL Hall of Fame) Jonathan Taylor started using it when referring to his team’s defense. In modern football, the block in which defenders end themselves on their backs is often referred to as the “pancake block,” and the word is used at all levels of the sport.
How To Execute A Pancake Block
Although the pancake block is easy to explain, doing one well may be challenging. Follow these instructions to learn how to do pancake blocks if you play offensive line and want to improve your game.
1. Place Your Hand On The Ground
First, place extra weight on your ground hand in a three-point stance for a rushing play. It increases body momentum.
2. Blow Up At The Snap.
At the snap, explode out of your stance and engage the person you’re blocking. Then, quickly get your hands beneath your opponent’s chest pads to perform a pancake block.
3. Highs And Lows
You’ll need a low center of gravity that pushes up and back. Pushing them up and back will throw them off balance. Once they’re off balance, drive them downfield hard. Keep your head up so the defender can’t throw you off balance by pushing on your helmet.
4. Develop Strong Arms And Feet.
Keep your hands powerful and your arms taut as you push opponents back, and keep your feet moving so that you can keep pushing them back. At this time, they will be beginning the process of getting back on their feet.
5. Roll Your Hips.
When you get to this point, you should roll your hips. You will eventually be able to put opponents on their backs by using the force of your core and your legs. When you move your hips in this manner, you can lift the defender off the ground and into the air.
6. Making A Good Touchdown
Follow them as they lose traction. Explode through their body, then drive them down with your head down as they collapse. Perfect pancake blocks place you on top of the defender. It removes your defender and helps your side gain yards on the ground.
What Positions Tend To Generate These Blocks?
On running plays, the pancake block is successfully executed every time. Offensive linemen that are strong, quick, elegant, and aggressive have a better chance of putting their opponent on their back and scoring a touchdown. Therefore, by making public the number of pancake blocks and offensive lineman records, we may provide those individuals who have not gotten as much attention the chance to be acknowledged.
When the ball is snapped, the offensive team’s lineman must explode out of his stance and deliver a powerful two-handed punch to the upper body of the defensive lineman on the defensive team. It is necessary to throw the defensive lineman off balance for the offensive lineman to be able to drive with his legs and bring his opponent to the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Q1. What is a “down block” in football?
Ans. A block at an inclination toward the interior is known as a down block. It is common for the down blocker to choose one of two landmarks to attack, and their decision is often based on the scouting report or the defensive technique shown on the most recent few scrimmage downs.
Q2. What are the simplest ways for a football player to avoid a pancake?
Ans. Leverage is the essential component of the pancake block. You may acquire leverage over your opponent by getting your center of gravity lower than theirs and using your placement to block them vertically, which will begin to raise them off the ground. It will give you more control over the situation. Hips should be rolled.
Q3. What is a “crack back” block in football?
Ans. When a player performing a crackback block makes contact below the waist, they will be penalized for committing an unlawful crackback block. As a result, this player is blocked and risks suffering a terrible injury. The objective of crackback blocks is to halt pursuing defenders in their tracks so that an attacking player who has the ball may go past the defender.
Q4. How can I pancake someone in football?
Ans. In football, an offensive line coach and offensive lineman may often refer to a block as a “pancake block” if it causes a defensive player to fall flat on his back, just as the rushing back is about to go through a hole in the field.
Q5. Which is more strategically complex, soccer or American football?
Ans. Team sports need a strategy. For example, every play in American football is well-planned. It’s like a football set play, except the entire game is set plays, requiring careful strategy.
Q6. What is a pancake move in football?
Ans. In football, offensive line coaches and linemen use the phrase “pancake block” to refer to a block that causes a defensive player to fall flat on his back as the rushing back moves through the hole.
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