Trap (tactic)



The Trap was a tactical maneuver used during starfighter combat. Described as "the oldest, simplest, and most effective trick in the book", the maneuver involved a pair of starfighters being attacked from behind by an enemy craft. Both defending ships would execute a sharp break and, if the attacking fighter chose to follow the maneuver, he would be trapped between the two defenders.

The best defense was for the attacking fighter to feint, pretending to go after the leader; as the wingman slotted in to take a shot, the attacker, who had now become the defender, could either perform a Tallon roll or a reverse throttle hop.