Fake-Toss Trap

Deception is inherent to trap runs in general. A defensive lineman assumes he’s going to get blocked by the offensive lineman in front of him, only to be bypassed for another defender.

This can sometimes leave that D-lineman rushing upfield and taking himself completely out of the play without even being blocked:

But what about the rest of the defense? How can the offense make sure they feel that same level of deception, bewilderment, and betrayal?

The Fake-Toss Trap is a good way to do it.

This play from the 2019 season is a great example. Back then, Odell Beckham Jr. was playing for the Browns (remember that?). Here, he motioned into the backfield behind the quarterback:

I love that the Browns didn’t just run a fake toss here. Instead, they did one to a play-maker like Beckham after he had motioned into the backfield. Receivers rarely line up back there, and when they do, it’s hard for the defense not to think that they are the intended target of the play.

Here, the fake toss to Beckham took a few second-level defenders with him: