Hinge Block

Offense

also: hinge · hinge back

Sealing the space a pulling lineman just left, usually by the tackle stepping down and turning back. The block that stops a pull from opening a hole in your own protection.

When a lineman pulls, he leaves a gap where he was standing. Hinging is one way to protect that space: the lineman next to the puller steps down and turns back, swinging like a gate on a hinge. The block keeps backside penetration from following the puller into the play.

Also calledhinge
Not to be confused withdown block, seal and wall off

Playbook Examples

  • Trapinside run, backside guard pulls to trap the first man past the holeWing-T

Where you will hear it

  • Wing-T
  • any gap scheme with pullers
  • pass protection against edge pressure

Related terms