Playbooks
Landingzone Heavy Return Middle Trap is a kickoff return scheme built out of the Kick Return formation with a heavy personnel look, designed to funnel the return up the middle of the field behind a trap blocking scheme. The wedge and lead blockers set traps on the inside coverage lanes, sealing off the first wave of gunners and forcing the return man to press the crease before bursting vertically. The primary read progression starts with identifying whether the middle lane trap blockers hold their assignments, then reading the second level of coverage defenders flowing to the ball before cutting off the trap block into open grass.
Read the middle lane defenders' leverage before the ball is kicked, if they are stacked tight to the interior the trap blocks will struggle to seal Watch for a hard crash from the wedge busters, an aggressive crash usually means the coverage team is selling out to stop the middle trap look Key on the kicker's pursuit angle since a disciplined kicker containing the middle lane is the last line that shuts this play down Identify user-controlled defenders flying downhill immediately at the snap, that lurk threat can blow up the trap timing before the blockers get set This play is countered hardest by lane discipline and outside contain, so if the coverage unit stays spread and square it limits the vertical crease this scheme is built to create
Pre-snap, scan the kicking team's coverage alignment for lane integrity in the middle third since this play is designed to exploit a soft or narrow middle lane
Use this on kickoffs after your defense forces a three and out or a punt, since the extra reps let you feel out how the opposing special teams unit sets its lanes
Hot route your return man's angle by pressing the trap block hard rather than bouncing early, patience through the mesh point is what makes the middle trap hit
Pair this with Landingzone Return Left and Landingzone Return Right earlier in the game to bait the coverage unit into overcommitting outside, then hit this middle trap look when lanes tighten up
Avoid calling this against teams that stack extra defenders in the middle lane on kickoff since the trap blocks get outnumbered and the crease closes immediately