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AFM Magazine


In Praise of the Power Trap

The versatile yet simple play is a must-have in any coaching arsenal
by: Jim Dye
Offensive line coach, Troy State University
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Troy State University's power trap play has become a very dependable one for us. It is a hard-nosed play that we can run strong or weak out of our two-back sets. We can run it against any front. We can run it against just about any blitz. We can run it out of the shotgun. We have actually checked to the play versus certain defenses.

The basic principles of the play are simple and sound. We are "gap" blocking frontside and building a wall backside. There are slight variations that are learned against different fronts, but the principles remain the same.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Frontside Blocking

Let's talk about our frontside gap blocking. From the tight end to the frontside guard the concepts are as follows:

• Always step with your inside foot.

• If your inside gap is covered by a lineman, he is your basic responsibility.

• If your inside gap is uncovered, you are tracking to the backside linebacker.

• We want movement of any kind. Horizontal is as good as vertical.

The concepts are very general and basic. What we call our "quick double" is an important part of our frontside gap scheme. The quick double is a combination block with the guard and tackle or with the tackle and tight end. It involves moving a defensive lineman and tracking to a backside linebacker.

The following are our basic principles of the quick double:

• The quick double involves two offensive linemen with a defensive lineman in between them.

• Both linemen step with the inside foot.

• The inside lineman steps up the field while the outside lineman steps laterally.

* The inside lineman keeps his inside arm free on contact.

• The inside lineman must be prepared to handle backside run through.

• The inside lineman must be prepared to block the down man on inside stunt.

• The outside lineman should feel that he is by himself, even though he will get help most of the time.

• The outside lineman must get his head in front of the down man fairly quickly.

• The outside lineman must be under control to track to backside linebacker if the down man stunts inside.

• Always make linebackers run over the top.

Backside Blocking

The backside guard always pulls to the frontside. Here's what we teach:

• Turn and run or set back and shuffle, whichever is most comfortable.

• You do not have a specific man.

• Get in a soft spot and run.

• If there is not a hole, make a hole.

• Don't stop to block anybody, RUN.

• Block the first different color you see.

The backside tackle always hinges. He and the center form what we call the backside wall. We feel this is an important part of the total scheme. Here's what we tell the tackle on the hinge:

• Step inside and slightly back to near the guard's original alignment.

• Your body will help the center on his back block.

• Shove late with your hands on the outside rush.

The center's back block is also very important and may be the toughest block on the play. The center's principles are as follows:

• Know that the tackle hinge will help slow down a penetrator.

• With that in mind, you can aim for the upfield hip.

• You and the tackle are building a wall.

General Thoughts

Here's some other thoughts to keep in mind about the power play:

• The quarterback can front out or reverse out.

• The lead back kicks out first color outside tackle or tight end.

• Ball carrier's aiming point is guard's rear end.

• We don't teach the play to bounce; if it happens, it happens.

• Because of the play's toughness, it usually gets better as the game goes on.

• It's easy to hang your hat on the play, because you don't have to check out of it.

• It's a good change-up out of the gun.

• The lineman can block it from an up-stance.

• It fits pretty well with some play action stuff.

Most importantly, we like the play because our kids believe in it.






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