What is a stunt in football?

In football, a stunt refers to a coordinated defensive maneuver where players on the defensive line exchange responsibilities in order to confuse and disrupt the offensive line's blocking assignments. This can involve defensive linemen crossing over each other, looping around, or changing positions before the snap of the ball to create mismatches or free up a pass rusher.

Stunts are designed to create chaos and pressure on the quarterback, making it difficult for the offensive line to anticipate and effectively block the rushers. By changing up their assignments and angles of attack, defensive linemen can create openings and exploit weaknesses in the offensive line's protection scheme.

Stunts are a common strategy used by defensive coordinators to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the opposing offense, and are particularly effective in generating sacks and turnovers. However, stunts also require good communication and coordination among the defensive players to execute properly and avoid leaving gaps in the defense.