trap play
Noun: 1. A specific American football play: A "trap play" is an offensive running play in American football. In this play, a defensive player is intentionally allowed to cross the line of scrimmage (the starting point for a play) into the offensive backfield. This defensive player is then blocked from the side or behind by an offensive lineman who has pulled (moved laterally) from his original position. The ball carrier (runner) then runs through the gap in the defensive line created when that defensive player vacated his position.
The term "trap play" is used exclusively in the context of American football strategy and play-calling. It describes a deliberate, coordinated action designed to trick the defense. - It is a countable noun (e.g., a trap play, several trap plays). - It is often used with verbs like run, call, execute, or use.
- Noun:
- The offense ran a perfect trap play, and the running back gained 15 yards.
- The coach decided to call a trap play on third down to surprise the aggressive defensive tackle.
- Executing a successful trap play requires precise timing between the pulling guard and the running back.
- "to trap a defender": This verb phrase describes the core action within the trap play, where the offensive player blocks the defender who has been allowed to cross the line.
- The guard's job is to trap the defender who has penetrated the line.
- The player who executes the key block is often called the "trapping guard" or "pulling guard."
- The defensive player targeted is often an aggressive "defensive tackle" or "nose guard."
- Trap (verb): In football, to block a defensive player using the technique central to a trap play.
- The lineman will trap the defensive end on this play.
- Draw play (noun): Another type of deceptive running play, but one that initially looks like a pass play, unlike the trap play which is designed as a run from the start.
- Counter play (noun): A running play that initially flows in one direction before the runner cuts back in the opposite direction; it may involve pulling linemen similar to a trap play but targets a different area of the defense.
- Trap block play: A more descriptive synonym that emphasizes the blocking scheme.
- Pull and trap play: Another descriptive synonym highlighting the action of the offensive lineman.
- The "trap" refers to the act of luring a defensive player into a vulnerable position and then blocking him in a way he does not expect, effectively "trapping" him out of the play.
- This play capitalizes on defensive aggression and over-penetration.
- (American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated