What it is

A stunt is a pass rush where two defenders swap gaps, so that one crosses behind the other to confuse the blockers.

In a game

A common stunt pairs a tackle with an end. If the blockers do not pass the rushers off to each other, someone gets a clear path to the quarterback.

More detail

Common stunts include the tackle-end stunt, where the tackle loops around the end, and the end-tackle stunt, where the end crashes inside while the tackle loops. A stunt trades power for confusion, and it leaves a gap open if the offense passes off the rushers correctly. Linemen check for it by watching the second rusher’s first step.

Animated diagram

1. The end and the tackle on the left side start their rush in the normal way.
2. They then cross paths: the end crashes inside, and the tackle loops to the outside.
3. The blockers must pass the rushers off to each other. If they do not, one rusher gets a free path to the quarterback.