One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a data pipeline, which includes a first mousetrap element and a second mousetrap element in a first pipeline stage. Each mousetrap element includes a request latch that, when enabled, allows a request signal to pass from the first pipeline stage to a second pipeline stage following the first pipeline stage in the data pipeline. Each mousetrap element also includes a data latch that, when enabled, allows a data element to pass from the first pipeline stage to the second pipeline stage. Each mousetrap element further includes a latch controller that enables and disables the request and data latches based on a phase signal that alternates between a first value that configures the first mousetrap element to transmit data to the second pipeline stage and a second value that configures the second mousetrap element to transmit data to the second pipeline stage.