NFL Tackle Football

Fullback Trap:
The Best Play in Football

The safest play in football that can be run from any formation, on any down and can result in large gains is the Fullback trap.   The offense needs to recognize the defensive front it is facing: The call is made by the center ODD-EVEN or SPLIT

Rules for Trap (that hold up vs. every defense)

PSE (Play side End) - Block Secondary Support

PST (Play side Tackle) - 1^st LB to inside

PSG (Play side Guard) - Man on C-Man over C-1^st LB backside (adj. false pull)

C (Center) - Man on BSG - Man on

BSG (Back side Guard) - Pull and trap 1^st man past C

BST (Backside Tackle) - Inside Cutoff

BSE (Backside End) - Middle 1/3

Coaching Points

PSE - Needs to take a wide enough split vs. ODD & EVEN front so that he is able to release off of LOS and block 2^nd Contain vs. Split Front. He needs to slam 1^st man inside to hold OLB and then release and block 2^nd contain.

PST – His split is critical vs. ODD & EVEN. His split should be a minimum of 3 feet from the guard so that he can escape the DT the technique he should be taught is to take a parallel step with his inside foot so that he gets separation in order to get up the LB. Vs. Split Defense he would place his inside arm on DT to get him to widen and go to the LB from there.

PSG – His split vs. ODD is 2 feet from center, double team should try and drive NG into backside LB so that he can’t go underneath and blow up trap. Vs. EVEN or split he might want to widen which gives him more room to escape from LB.

C- vs. ODD his first step should be to the backside anticipating the NG slanting away

BSG- Drop step then work into the line. Trap the first man past the Center

FB – He aligns his toes 4 yards from the back tip of the FB. It is critical that he listen to the call of the center who identifies the defensive front.

Start with Odd if the Trap is going to the right his first step is wit the right foot aiming to the centers left heel. (Diagram 4)

   Diagram 4

His 2nd step is straight ahead as he gets his eyes on the LB expecting to make a wide bend.(Diagram 5)

   Diagram 5

Once the FB gets the LB level, he should pick up his downfield blocking either straight up the field or towards near sideline. (Diagram 6)

   Diagram 6

Versus an EVEN Front, he will hit it tighter since the trap will be happening faster. (Diagram 7)

   Diagram 7

And vs. SPLIT, FB can expect a wider bend as he approaches LB Level

   Diagram 8

   Adjustment

If the man to be trapped is lined up inside the PSG, PSG Calls adjustment and false pulls (Pulls away).The FB should understand that the BS LB will go unblocked. (Diagram 9)

   Diagram 9

QB- On trap play, we want our QB to reverse out step back as deep as he can. Get his eyes off FB’s belt buckle and seat the ball.

Coaching Point - He must be aware of the defensive front so that he does not choke FB and inhibit his bend. He should continue some type of bootleg fake to keep defender responsible for outside 1/3 honest.

The opinions of the writers do not necessarily represent the opinion of the NFL.