Pancake

A pancake is the offensive lineman's version of a highlight: a block so dominant the defender ends up flat on his back, pancaked into the turf. It's not a stat that shows up on TV, but in the trenches it's the most respected thing a lineman can do. You finish a pancake the way Coach Jay teaches every block — low pads, hands inside the frame, hips driving on contact, and you Finish: play through the whistle, keep your feet, and run him to the ground. LinePlay's O-line community even carries the name — the Pancake Posse.

Defined by Coach Jay Freeman — 32 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Related trench terms

Drive blockO-Line

A straight-ahead block designed to displace the defender straight back.

FinishBoth sides

To play through the whistle. The most important word in the lineman vocabulary.

LeverageBoth sides

The geometric advantage from lower pads, a better angle, or better hand placement.

Pancake PosseO-Line

LinePlay's O-line collection and the O-line side of the Brotherhood.

Down blockO-Line

A block down on the defender to the inside, sealing him away from the play.

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
• Back to the full Trench Dictionary →
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