A pancake block in football is a term frequently used by offensive line coaches and players to describe a powerful and dominating block executed by an offensive lineman against a defensive player.
This particular move results in the defensive player ending up flat on his back, as the name suggests, akin to a flattened pancake.
With a successful pancake block, running backs have the opportunity to easily maneuver through the hole created by the block, opening up opportunities for gaining yardage and, potentially, scoring touchdowns.
When I coach we reward pancake blocks with a sticker on the the back of their helmet! We encourage pancake blocks and reward their effort with recognition.
Although the term “pancake block” is not an official NFL term, it’s widely recognized by fans and players alike as a valuable achievement for an offensive lineman.
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What is a Pancake in Football?
In honor of Orlando Pace being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame! #GoBucks #Pancake pic.twitter.com/VSiPpKPlxy
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) February 7, 2016
A pancake block in football refers to an action performed by the offensive line, where they block a defensive player in such a way that the player ends up flat on their back. This is typically achieved by an offensive lineman utilizing their technique and strength to overpower their opponent, giving the running back an open path to advance through.
The offensive line is a key component of any football team and plays an essential role in both protecting the quarterback and creating space for running backs. Pancake blocks are a testament to their prowess and a symbol of dominance over the defensive player.
In order to execute a pancake block, the offensive lineman must have exceptional technique, including proper hand placement, footwork, and leverage. This enables them to drive the defensive player backward and ultimately put them flat on the ground, creating an opening for the ball carrier. Here are some important aspects of a successful pancake block:
- Hand placement: The offensive lineman must position their hands inside the defender’s chest, allowing them to control the defender’s movement.
- Leverage: Maintaining a low center of gravity and driving upward through the defender ensures that the offensive lineman can overpower them.
- Footwork: Quick and efficient footwork allows the blocker to stay balanced and maintain control over the defender throughout the block.
Although not an official statistic in the NFL, pancake blocks are widely recognized by players, fans, and coaches as an indication of an offensive lineman’s skill and dominance. When executed correctly, a pancake block can create a significant advantage for the offense, often resulting in significant yardage gains or touchdowns.
History of the Pancake Block
The history of the pancake block in football can be traced back to the 1983-1984 collegiate season. The term gained popularity due to Bill Fralic, an offensive lineman playing for the University of Pittsburgh. Fralic was known for terrorizing defenders and knocking them to the ground with a force that often left them flat on their backs. This devastating move laid the foundation for the term “pancake block” which is now used to describe a powerful block by an offensive lineman on defensive players.
Over time, the pancake block became widely recognized and celebrated across the football world, even though it remains an unofficial term in the NFL. Other players, such as Orlando Pace, made the pancake block a key part of their strategy on the field. Pace, an offensive tackle from Ohio State, was frequently credited with executing pancake blocks during his college career, further solidifying the term’s place in football vernacular.
Several teams also gained notoriety for their offensive lines and the prevalence of pancake blocks. The University of Nebraska, for instance, was known for incorporating pancake blocks as part of their aggressive offensive line strategy. This contributed to the team’s overall success, drawing attention to the importance of this powerful blocking technique.
Several players who excelled in executing pancake blocks during their careers, such as Bill Fralic and Orlando Pace, have since been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Their contributions to the sport have not only been recognized by fans but also immortalized as part of football history.
Performing a Pancake Block
Positioning and Leverage
For an offensive lineman, positioning plays a vital role in executing a pancake block. When the play starts, the lineman should focus on maintaining a low stance and getting their helmet below the defender’s helmet. The offensive lineman must position their feet wide apart for maximum ankle, knee, and hip stability.
Leverage is crucial in a running play to overpower the defender. The offensive lineman must focus on maintaining a low center of gravity, driving from their legs, and generating enough momentum to push the defender off balance.
Technique and Center of Gravity
The offensive lineman’s technique during a pancake block is essential to achieving success. Here are the critical aspects of the technique:
- Explode off the line of scrimmage quickly after the snap
- Keep a low stance with a wide base, bending at the hips and knees
- Engage the defender using strong arms and hands, keeping them inside the frame of the defensive player
- Move feet continuously, maintaining a powerful stride
Maintaining a low center of gravity is crucial for the successful execution of a pancake block. It helps the offensive lineman gain control and maintain their balance. By staying low and driving the defender backward, the lineman can eventually force the defender to the ground.
Executing the Block
When the offensive lineman engages with the defensive player, they should:
- Strike the defender with a strong punch, aiming for the chest or shoulder pads
- Keep their hips low and roll them forward, generating power from the legs
- Maintain a tight grip on the defender, controlling the defender’s movement
- Keep their feet moving at all times, driving the defender backward
- Continue to apply pressure to the defender, ultimately forcing them to the ground for a successful pancake block
Executing a pancake block requires the offensive lineman to combine positioning, leverage, technique, and center of gravity. By focusing on these aspects, they can effectively create a hole for the running back and dominate in the run game.
Impact on the Football Game
Blocking for Running Backs
A pancake block in football has a significant impact on the game, particularly in terms of helping the running back. When an offensive lineman successfully performs a pancake block, it leaves the defensive player flat on their back, creating a clear path for the running back. This dominating move against the defensive player can lead to important gains for the team, as the running back can potentially cover more yards before being tackled.
In addition, a well-executed pancake block not only improves the running game but also boosts the morale and confidence of the offensive linemen. Consistent pancake blocks send a strong signal to the opposition that the offensive line is controlling the line of scrimmage, making it easier for the running back to find gaps and move the chains.
Creating Space for Quarterbacks
Another critical aspect of a pancake block’s impact on the football game is its effect on the quarterback’s performance. When the offensive line successfully executes pancake blocks, it means that the defensive line is not getting any penetration, and thus, the quarterback has more space and time in the pocket to make his throws.
This extra space can be crucial for the quarterback, allowing them to read the defense, identify open receivers, and deliver accurate passes. Consequently, a strong offensive line that consistently pancake blocks its opponents contributes to a more effective passing game.
Famous Pancake Blockers
One of the most iconic pancake blockers in football history is Bill Fralic. Fralic played as an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Panthers during the 1980s and was a two-time All-American. He is often credited with being the first player to popularize the term “pancake block.” Fralic’s exceptional skill and strength on the field helped pave the way for future generations of offensive linemen.
Another noteworthy pancake blocker is Orlando Pace. Known as “The Pancake Man,” Pace played as an offensive tackle in the NFL for 13 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams. His dominating presence on the field made him one of the most feared blockers of his time. As a result of his outstanding performance, Pace was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2016.
Both Bill Fralic and Orlando Pace contributed significantly to the sport of football by popularizing and mastering the technique of pancake blocking. Their relentlessness and sheer power at the line of scrimmage helped their teams achieve countless victories and become an inspiration for future offensive linemen.
Recognition and Media Relations
The concept of a pancake in football gained recognition and popularity due to media relations efforts. It all started with the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in 1983. The Panthers’ media relations department decided to use the term “pancake” to highlight the exceptional blocking skills of their All-American player, Bill Fralic. This new terminology quickly caught on and began to be adopted by football programs across all levels, including high schools, colleges, and the NFL.
As a result, the pancake statistic, though unofficial, became a vital tool for assessing the performance of offensive linemen. Media outlets took notice and started to report on pancake blocks, further cementing their importance in the football world. This increased awareness resulted in greater recognition of the role of offensive linemen in games and contributed to the growth of the sport.
Related Football Concepts
Pancake Tackle
A pancake tackle in football is a specific type of tackle where a defensive player tackles an offensive player with such force that the offensive player ends up flat on their back. This type of tackle is usually a result of excellent technique and considerable strength on the part of the defensive player.
There are certain risks associated with pancake tackles. If executed improperly, they can potentially cause injuries to the neck or spine of the tackled player. Additionally, referees may assess a penalty if they deem the tackle to be overly aggressive or unnecessarily rough.
Magnetic Pancakes
Magnetic pancakes, although not a widely recognized term in football, can refer to a situation where a group of defensive players is drawn to a specific location on the field, often due to the offensive player’s movement or positioning. In some cases, this can lead to openings for other offensive players to exploit, creating further opportunities for successful plays.
In this scenario, the “magnetic” aspect refers to how defensive players can be seemingly pulled toward a particular area, leaving other portions of the field exposed as they prioritize stopping one specific threat. It is important for defensive players to maintain proper positioning and spatial awareness to avoid falling into these traps.
- Defense: A well-coordinated defensive unit can avoid being pulled out of position by a “magnetic pancake” scenario and effectively counteract the offense’s strategies.
- Pancake Tackle: To execute a successful pancake tackle, the defensive player must utilize proper technique and strength to overpower the offensive player, taking care not to cause injuries or penalties.
- Penalty: If a pancake tackle is deemed by referees to be overly aggressive or unnecessarily rough, the tackling player may be assessed a penalty, resulting in yardage loss for their team.
- Defensive Player: It is crucial for defensive players to maintain their positions and spatial awareness to avoid falling into the traps set by offensive players attempting to create the conditions for a “magnetic pancake.”
The Role of Physical Attributes
In football, the pancake block is a term used by offensive linemen to describe a block where a defensive player ends up flat on their back. To successfully execute a pancake block, several physical attributes play a significant role in allowing an offensive lineman to dominate over a defensive lineman or linebacker.
- Strength: A key factor in pancake blocks, as offensive linemen must possess the power to push their opponents off balance, ultimately knocking them to the ground. This often requires a combination of upper body and lower body strength, as well as core stability.
- Agility: Offensive linemen need to be agile in order to quickly adjust their body position and efficiently block a moving target. This entails quick footwork, balance, and the ability to change direction while maintaining control.
- Speed: To get the leverage needed for a pancake block, offensive linemen must be able to rapidly move off the line of scrimmage and approach their opponent. A quick first step and acceleration play a vital role in achieving this.
- Courage: As one of the less tangible attributes, courage is still essential for offensive linemen to engage opponents without hesitation. This mental fortitude allows them to face larger or potentially more skilled defenders with confidence and determination.
- Aggressiveness: In conjunction with courage, aggressiveness drives offensive linemen to attack their opponents with a relentless will to win the battle. Maintaining this intensity throughout the game can wear down the opposing defensive players.
- Upper body: Particularly important in pancake blocks, upper body power enables offensive linemen to hold their ground against defensive players, as well as extend their arms to create separation. This is crucial in gaining the leverage needed to control their opponent and drive them to the ground.
These physical attributes, when combined, enables offensive linemen to execute pancake blocks effectively, which ultimately creates opportunities for running backs to gain yardage and move the team downfield.
Legalities and Guidelines
Pancake blocks are powerful maneuvers executed by offensive linemen on the football field. While these dominating blocks can make a significant impact on a game, it’s essential to understand the legalities and guidelines surrounding them.
Offensive linemen, such as guards and tackles, typically perform pancake blocks to create holes for running backs and to protect quarterbacks from oncoming defenders. While pancake blocks can be an effective strategy, they must be executed within the rules of the game.
Linebackers, defensive backs, and defensive linemen often find themselves on the receiving end of pancake blocks. However, not all pancake blocks are legal. For instance, a crackback block by an offensive player positioned away from the main body of the formation is considered illegal if it involves blocking below the waist or in the back.
Tight ends, while not traditionally responsible for offensive line blocking, can also contribute to pancake blocks when engaging defensive players in specific formations. Offensive line coaches must ensure their players are executing pancake blocks within the boundaries of the rules to maintain fair play and avoid penalties.
To summarize, pancake blocks must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Pancake blocks should be executed by offensive linemen, such as guards and tackles.
- The blocks must not involve blocking below the waist or in the back, as these maneuvers constitute illegal crackback blocks.
- Tight ends can also contribute to pancake blocks in specific formations.
- Offensive line coaches must train their players to execute pancake blocks within the rules of the game.
In conclusion, pancake blocks are essential and powerful tools for offensive linemen when executed legally and within the guidelines set by the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “pancake” an official or unofficial term in football?
A pancake is an unofficial term in football, but it is widely used by players, coaches, and fans to describe a specific type of block.
What does a pancake refer to in football?
In football, a pancake refers to a powerful and dominating block executed by an offensive lineman on a defensive player, which results in the defensive player ending up flat on their back. This type of block often creates an opening for the running back to exploit.
Is a pancake block considered a big play?
While a pancake block might not always lead to a big gain in yardage, it is considered a big play in terms of showcasing the offensive lineman’s dominance and skill in overpowering the defensive player. It boosts the confidence of the lineman and the entire offensive line.
What is the positioning for a pancake block?
The positioning for a pancake block involves the offensive lineman engaging with the defensive player, driving through with their legs and upper body, and ultimately using their strength and technique to knock the defender off balance and onto the ground.
Is a pancake block a legal move in football?
Yes, a pancake block is a legal move in football, as long as the offensive lineman executes it within the rules – avoiding penalties like holding or clipping.
How does a pancake block impact performance?
A successful pancake block can positively impact a team’s performance by opening up running lanes, protecting the quarterback, and demoralizing the opposing defensive linemen. It showcases the strength and skill of the offensive lineman and can help create momentum for the offense.