General
offside trap
What does offside trap mean?
A coordinated defensive move where the back line pushes up in unison as the ball is played, leaving forwards offside.
"They sprang the offside trap perfectly and the flag went up."
Origin
Descriptive; the defence 'traps' attackers in an offside position.
Frequently asked questions
What is the offside trap in football?
It is a defensive tactic where the back line steps up together just as the ball is played, catching attackers in an offside position.
How does an offside trap work?
The defenders push up in unison at the moment of the pass so any forward beyond them is left offside and the flag goes up.
Is the offside trap risky?
Yes — if the timing is even slightly off or a defender is slow to step up, an attacker can be played clean through on goal.
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