also: corner trap · cloud trap · trap flat · 2-read trap
A coverage tactic where a cornerback or underneath defender squats on short outside routes to jump the flat throw while a safety covers over the top.
Trap coverage is a secondary tactic in which an underneath defender (most commonly the cornerback in Cover 2, Palms, or 2-Read) squats on the perimeter and aggressively drives on an out-breaking route into the flat, while a deeper safety takes vertical responsibility over the top.
In modern match schemes (like Palms / 2-Read), the corner aligns over the outside receiver (#1) but reads the slot receiver (#2) at the snap. If the slot breaks outward to the flat (quick out, bubble screen, arrow), the corner immediately triggers downhill to 'trap' the slot receiver's route from the outside-in. The quarterback, seeing the slot break open away from an interior linebacker, throws into the flat only for the corner to jump the passing lane from his blindspot while the safety caps the outside receiver vertically.
corner trap, cloud trap, trap flatTrap Block, cloud coverage, sky coverage