Which play involves a lineman leaving his position to move laterally and block for a ball carrier?

• A. A screen pass.
• B. A zone read.
• C. A trap block.
• D. A pulling guard on power or counter plays.

Answer: (D)

The action described is a pulling block by a guard leading for a ball carrier on power or counter plays. When a guard pulls, he leaves his normal spot, slides laterally across the line, and moves to block defenders for the runner, effectively becoming an extra lead blocker. This creates a powerful, unilateral blocking force on the play side and helps the ball carrier reach the desired lane with momentum. On power plays, the guard’s motion aims to punch through the defense and seal linebackers; on counter plays, the pull adds misdirection and a lead path for the runner.

This differs from a screen pass, where blockers release downfield to set up a quick pass to a back; a zone read focuses on the quarterback reading a defender and deciding to keep or hand off, not on a lineman leading the ball carrier; and a trap block involves a specific blocking technique designed to fool a defender, not the lineman sprinting laterally to lead a runner.