Trap Option

I too am looking for info regarding trap option. I do not have an option in our offense and someone mentioned trap option would be something to add. We currently run the I Power, Iso and Counter. Thanks.

That's fine but I want a little more information from coaches currently utilizing the scheme. The book looks great.

What is the basic blocking scheme? Does the QB open up to the option side or reverse out after the handoff to the fullback?

Thanks.

Coaches:

I have Beckish's latest version of his trap option book. It has two basic series, but they are both blocked the same way. One is the Freeze Option (called 40 series in the book) like Syracuse runs, same blocking, same concepts. The other took the place of the older trap option where the QB opens up left (for trap option right), fakes the FB trap and then reverse on around for the option. In the 60 series, the play looks exactly like freeze option left (if the option is going to the right). The QB steps off the midline, fakes the FB right up the gut, but then he turns back into the LOS and options the end. In the Syracuse tapes, DeLeone calls this their Counter Freeze Option.

We ran some traditional trap option this year. The trap play (we called it Gut) was a huge play for us this year, and we had some moderate success with the option. We started out by having our guard pull on the option but we never got very good at logging the 3 tech (let alone the 5 technique). Eventually, we just zone blocked it, and the action in the backfield was the only thing that showed trap. I'm sure we could have coached it better, but it simply came down to a time-investment issue. The other thing was our QB-he always got hit hard right as he was pitching the ball. Coach DeLeone at Syracuse says on his video, this is one of the reasons they went to the Freeze option, which has the QB opening toward the trap so he can see the end.

We are going to add the Midline trap to our midline action, but for us the option phase will continue to be either midline double or triple option.

Coach - trap option is a tricky thing, lots of ways to run it...
in my opinion the fullback trap is the only reason why you want to run the play in the first place. here's why:

the option itself takes time - zone blocking is tough, really tough, any decent defense line will be all over the qb 3 steps after his fake. ergo base blocking must be used for any consistency, this pretty much means if there is an invert the play is dead (unless you have a fullhouse to block him)

the quarterback is putting his back a good half second to the defensive end. a lot can happen in half a second, the pitch usually has to be fast.

depending on how you run it, it depends on a tough log block by a tackle who may not decide to close the gap. if he goes upfield on command and you've called option - then what? you're qb is dead.

but that trap is enticing, it's probably, in my opinion, one of the most sound plays out there. unlike cutback trap options all of the backside persuit is taken care of because the playside backers and secondary are running to stop the option, leaving a giant seem for the fullback to run through.

the best way to run the option, in my opinion, is to block down all along the front, have that guard pull and go to the second level looking inside for a backer (instead of trying to log the 3 or 5). if you are running to the split end side and there is an invert you'll have to call the invert, so the guard will log him (odds are good of this happening, usually an invert will mean the defense wants that defensive end to make things bounce, meaning closing hard)

so yeah, in short - great for the trap, tricky tricky for the option
need any more ideas, opinions, diagrams email me
wcspartan53@hotmail.com
-andrew