In this installation of Arkansas Film Study, we’ll be going over Arkansas’ Guard Tackle Trap Option play. Similar to other option plays, the guard tackle trap option tries to give the offense a numbers advantage by effectively taking out one defender from the play.
How does the Guard Tackle Trap Option work?
The Guard Tackle Trap Option is similar to a regular trap play, except that both the tackle and guard will pull around.
The play side of the offensive line will apply down blocks toward the defensive lineman. The weak side guard will pull and then kick out the EDGE defender from the play. The weak side tackle will be the lead blocker through the play side C gap. He will engage any defender that tries attacking the gap.
The quarterback is reading the opposite EDGE to see where he goes. If he decides to stick with the RB in the flat at the mesh point, the QB will take it. Otherwise, if the EDGE attacks the QB, he will hand it off to the running back
Below is a diagram of the play against Penn State’s 4-2-5 defense in the 2022 Outback Bowl.
On this play, the Center will down block the 1-technique to the weak side. Meanwhile the right guard and right tackle will double team the 2i lineman on the play side. The right guard will then make his way up to the linebacker. The left guard will kick out the EDGE defender to the play side. Then, the left tackle will make his way through the hole to block the safety creeping down.
Since the read EDGE stutters to the flat, QB KJ Jefferson decides to take it himself. The offensive line is able to get a great push on their down blocks, and the guard does his job neutralizing the EDGE. The play call does a good job of taking into account the safety creeping down to the box, and the tackle is able to engage him. While the right guard doesn’t fully engage the linebacker, he’s able to make enough contact to let Jefferson get by him. The result is a large gain and a first down for Arkansas, who would eventually win 24-10.
