Trap run (American Football Strategy)

In American football, a trap play, or trap run, is a run consisting of a defender on the line of scrimmage (either a defensive tackle or defensive end) getting trap blocked by an offensive lineman or back from the opposite (other side of the center) side of the ball. The play is known as a "trap" because the strong side offensive lineman will "block down" on a linebacker, seemingly leaving a defensive lineman unblocked. As the defensive lineman comes through the seemingly open gap/hole, he is "trapped" by the weak side (also known as backside) guard who blocks the defensive lineman's blindside. Occasionally, a trap block will come from a tight end. Trap blocks by tight ends are known as "CRACK BACK" blocks.

Typically, flow will start out one way (right or left) and the back will receive the ball going away from flow where the trap is taking place.

SPORTS

American Football

Game play in American football consists of a series of downs, individual plays of short duration, outside of which the ball is dead or not in play. These can be plays from scrimmage – passes, runs, punts, or field goal attempts (from either a place kick or a drop kick) – or free kicks such as kickoffs and fair catch kicks. Substitutions can be made between downs, which allows for a great deal of specialization as coaches choose the players best suited for each particular situation. During a play, each team should have no more than 11 players on the field, and each of them has specific tasks assigned for that specific play.