Crackback Block in Football Definition, Illegal Blocks, and FAQs

A crackback block in football, or a peel-back block, is legal but is often penalized if it is executed poorly. A crackback block is unique because it is performed by skill-position players. Here is the definition of a crack-back block.

What is a crackback block in football?

The definition of a crackback block: It is a type of block when an offensive player split out wide and comes back and blocks a defensive player on the defender’s blindside. These are dangerous because the defender frequently does not see the blocker coming. If not done properly, the play results in a penalty.

Key takeaways:

Crackback blocks are legal in the NFL as long as contact is between the waist and shoulders and the blocker is moving parallel to his own end zone.
The easiest way to avoid a crackback block is by hitting the opponent’s front side. Blocking from the side or behind is illegal.
If the blocker’s shoulder hits the front of the defender’s body, then the block is legal. Illegal blocks are punished with a 15-yard penalty.
Crackback blocks are also called peel-back blocks.

Are crackback blocks legal?

An offensive player cannot initiate contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if:

The blocker is moving toward his own end line, and
He approaches the opponent from behind or from the side.

Due to the explosive and dangerous nature of crackback blocks, the NFL made them illegal in 2017. When executed from behind or below the waist, these blocks are illegal and result in a 15-yard penalty.

What is a peel-back block?

A peel-back block is another term to describe a crackback block. This is the term used in the NFL rulebook when describing crackback blocking.

What is a blindside block?

A blindside block is when an offensive player blocks a defensive player from behind or the side. These blocks were outlawed in 2019 due to the danger these blocks can cause.

What are illegal blocks in football?

Block in the back– a block from behind and above the waist.

Clipping– a block from behind and below the waist.

Chop block– a block below the waist while a teammate hits above the waist.

Holding– grabbing a defender to end his pursuit of the play.

What is the difference between a normal block and a crackback block?

Crackback blocks are typically more dangerous than normal blocks because they are usually done at full speed, unexpectedly, and in the open field. Normal blocks are never at full speed and are usually expected since they are at the line of scrimmage.

What is the difference between a crackback block and clipping?

A crackback block is different from clipping because crackback blocks can be legal. If the blocker hits the offensive player in the front side of his body and above the waist, it is a good block. Clipping can never be legal because it is blocking a player below the waist and from behind.

How do you avoid committing a crackback block?

The best way to avoid getting called for an illegal block is by hitting the player in the front of his body. As long as the near shoulder of the blocker hits the front of his opponent’s body, the block is legal.

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