Counter Trap Option - Coach Ryan Tundevold

Head Coach - Colon HS - Colon, MI

I like running the triple option & midline out of the flex-bone with motion. Running the option to the motion side every time gives the defense a clue as to where to flow. As we all know that nothing hurts a flowing defensive player more than a good counter play.
The counter trap option I run is one that I picked up from watching any of Paul Johnson’s teams. This counter works well against all fronts with one slight adjustment to fit high school rules.

vs. 5-2

Here the counter trap is shown against a 5-2. You will notice that the QB has two paths he can take. This is our necessary adjustment from college to high school rules. The college players can cut the trap man, this helps them make sure this man gets blocked in a way that you can run around him. In high school this isn’t a choice so we read this man. If the trap man gets up field we actually trap him and the QB turns up field. Our biggest gains have come as a result of this choice. If the trap man can be “Logged” (sealed down) then we run around him and option the last man on the line of scrimmage. I use a switch scheme to block the secondary. The reason being with the motion back using ”twirl” motion he is not in position to block run support if it comes from the safety position, but can if it comes from the corner.

 

vs. 5-3

I personally find the 5-3 one of the more difficult defenses to block. The biggest reason is the responsibilities of the play side tackle. With a player directly on top of him releasing becomes more of an issue; he must protect B gap from a “fall in” read or stunt by the outside linebacker; if the “fall in” doesn’t occur then he must block the free safety from reaching the outside and helping with run support. Reguadless of the difficulties this is still a good play against flowing linebackers. Same reads, same basic rules of all trap plays.

 

vs. 5-3 Eagle

The eagle front changes the rules ever so slightly. The playside tackle calls “EAGLE”, this call means different things on different plays, but always means that the playside tackle is going to block down on the 3 technique. Now that the tackle is taking the guard’s man the guard will now take the tackle’s man turning it into a counter lead option. The guard runs his track through the hole, if the linebacker scrapes he doesn’t give chase he simply goes on to the next level (free safety). The split end looks to crack on the first unblocked player trying to get to the outside, whether it be the outside linebacker or the free safety.

 

vs. 4-3

Against the 4-3 you have some nice decisions to make, you have an extra blocker or no option man. Maybe you think the fullback cannot block the middle linebacker in time, so you send the playside tackle to the middle, lead the guard on to the outside linebacker and option the defensive end. I would stick to your own trap or lead rules and make the rest fit around your rules.

vs. 6-2

 

The 6-2 is a great defense to run this play against. You have great counter angles for the blocks and the fullback can block the backside linebacker.
Key concepts about this play are the same as all option keys; good footwork; good fake; proper reads; cool under control quarterback. This was a great play for me this past season and will be called more often to help us control over flowing defenses. I hope you found my article helpful and if nothing else I hope it helps you spark a few ideas of your own.