crackback

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablespecialistsport

   In American football, an illegal block made by a player moving back toward their own goal line to hit an opponent from the side or behind.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say a crackback or two crackbacks.

   Patterns

   • a crackback block
   • called for a crackback

   The referee flagged the receiver for a crackback on the linebacker.

   Coaches now teach players to avoid a crackback because the penalty can cost the team fifteen yards.

2. 2nouncountablerare

   A quick sharp sound or movement that comes back toward the source, such as a snap or rebound.

   Grammar: Countable and often used with a: a crackback of the whip.

   Patterns

   • a crackback of something

   We heard the crackback of the branch as it sprang away from the fence.

   The crackback of the ball off the wall surprised the goalkeeper.

Word forms

Common combinations

crackback block

The crackback block was penalized for being too low.

illegal crackback

Officials are told to watch closely for an illegal crackback.

call a crackback

The referee had to call a crackback after the hit.

crackback penalty

The drive stalled because of a crackback penalty.

Synonyms and how they differ

block

A general word for any legal or illegal obstruction; crackback names one specific type and direction of block.

clip

An old-fashioned term for blocking an opponent from behind, which is similar but not limited to a backward-moving blocker.

Word family

crack verb

To make a sudden sharp sound or to break something sharply.

crackbacking noun

The act of making such a block, used in sports writing.

Commonly confused: crackback or comeback? crackback or crackdown?

Practice

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