Football Traps and Draw Drills

Both the trap and draw plays can be highly successful on the football field. The trap offers a running back the protection of an offensive lineman while the draw tricks the opposing defense into setting up for a pass play, only to be hit with a charging running back. However, for these plays to work this way, extensive drills must be carried out so each team member is effectively carrying out his role.

  1. Trap Drill

    • Set up the defense and offense in a scrimmage. When the play starts, an offensive lineman should run toward the other side of the field, which should track the line of scrimmage. The lineman can block for the running back. When the lineman first starts his run, his opposing defender will run toward the backfield. Instruct another blocker to trap the runner in this situation. It is vital that the defense is not expecting the play because a real opponent probably won't be.

    Trap: Blocking and Running

    • Before the offensive lineman starts the run across field, it is important to show the opposing defender where he is going so he will fall into the backfield trap. If he is running right, get him to swing his right arm backward, quickly turn his head to the right and twist his left foot to face the direction he will be running. When the lineman has made his run to the opposite side of play, he should pick out the defender who is the most open. Teach him to get his head in between the defender and the ball-carrying running back as he blocks the defender.

    Draw Drill

    • Set your teams up as you would for a real game. Play a series of passing plays so the defense will be expecting another pass. The team should start the draw drill like any each of the passing plays, which entails the linemen dropping back as though they were pass-blocking. Get the quarterback to simultaneously take about five steps backward, which to the defenders this will look as though he will throw the ball. At this point, the quarterback should be taught to pass the ball to the running back who can run into an area that a defensive lineman has vacated because he was anticipating a pass.

    Draw: Stiff-arming and Probing

    • Offensive lineman should be taught to stiff-arm the opposing defenders rather than charge at them. Keeping their knees bent and back arched will give them the balance they lost while falling back. As the running back waits to receive the ball, teach him to watch the movement of the defensive linesman who will be setting up in anticipation of the pass. The running back should pick out a gap in the defense before receiving the ball and embarking on his run.