Short Trap Technique

Coach K,

I like your idea! Remember, we trap on their side of the line, not ours! Anything that will enhance that "downhill" surge to help get across the LOS, NOT PARALLEL TO IT, and make the block will be sure to help you. I think it goes without saying that your kids have to have those good feet and not get tangled up with the crossover, but if they can handle it, I think your idea is very sound. If you have the time, let me know how the experiment worked out sometime. coacheaston@hotmail.com

Coach Easton

We don't lose ground on our traps either coach.

We step about 45 degrees into the LOS... and track that way. If the DL over penetrates, we just let him go... he's NEVER made that tackle in my 7 years, nor my HC's 35 years!

Personally I don't like the cross-over idea. One thing we do defensively against the trap is to pinch our DT's and get a shot on the puller. I never like to have my guys cross their feet over... too much can go wrong. But that's just a preference IMO

Let us know how it goes.

We don't lose ground on our traps either coach.

We step about 45 degrees into the LOS... and track that way. If the DL over penetrates, we just let him go... he's NEVER made that tackle in my 7 years, nor my HC's 35 years!

Personally I don't like the cross-over idea. One thing we do defensively against the trap is to pinch our DT's and get a shot on the puller. I never like to have my guys cross their feet over... too much can go wrong. But that's just a preference IMO

Let us know how it goes.

if the original poster is talking about teams that actually squeeze it well and wants his guards to be able to lead up on the trappee as it were, i can see that maybe

but if they are doing that

i would influence them or not run trap

We used to use what we called a "quick trap" or "influence" technique on our G block (Belly). The PS guard would take a quick drop step with the off foot, then push off of it pointing the on foot at a 45 degree angle upfield in order to kick out the DE. I know it sounds like it wouldn't happen as fast as a normal trapping technique because the first step is with the off foot, but because it was a much shorter step than ripping with the outside elbow and opening up the hips with the onside foot, it actually happened much more quickly, and definitely got our guard moving in a much more downhill direction. We never used it on our inside trap, but it might be something to consider.