Having a plan at the line of scrimmage is probably more important than any other aspect of wide receiver play. The best wide receivers have mastered the way they talk to themselves at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped...

Have A Plan

The “Square Break” is designed to allow a receiver to change direction at a sharp, 90-degree angle on any in or out breaking route under 10 yards. 

The "Square Break" breakpoint

“Every great route starts with a great stance.”

It’s the truth. A wide receiver can set himself up for success every single play if he learns to honor his stance before the ball is snapped...

Stance & Start Basics

The essence of great route running lies in a player’s ability to adjust his route to win vs. any coverage...

The Coverage Triangle

The three most important aspects of catching a football (in order of importance) are: confidence, eye discipline & hands. 

Catching

More important than a wide receiver’s pre-practice routine Is his everyday rituals.

Daily Pre-Practice Routine for Wide Receiver's

It is often perceived that “blocking in space” at the wide receiver position is simply a battle of wills between the receiver and the defender he assigned to block.

Blocking in Space

The hitch route: considered by many coaches and players to be the “easiest” route to complete in football. It also a staple of many high school and college spread offense systems and cannot be taken for granted. 

The "Drop Pop" Breakpoint

The slant route is a fun route to coach because it can win vs. any coverage. To maximize the potential of using slant routes – the receivers must be given a lot of freedom to use different strategies and techniques to win and those strategies must be practiced often.

The details of a slant route

The ability to stop on a dime and change direction suddenly are two keys for any great wide receiver. However, many scouts and fans are confused in thinking that a player’s shuttle time or L drill performance translates into crisp route running.

The "Speed Cut"

When evaluating wide receivers, the first physical trait most scouts and fans will look at is, “how fast can he run?” But that’s the wrong question to focus on.

The Tight Break

Press releases are the scariest aspect of wide receiver play for coaches because there is no way to predict exactly how the defensive back will react, which makes it impossible for a coach to tell the receiver exactly what to do in any given situation.

The Press Release

As discussed in last week’s article, teaching press releases can be difficult because the coach can’t predict how to defender is going to react on each play. 

The Press Release-

Part Two

An initial key for beating loose coverage is making every route and every blocking assignment feel the same to the DB off the ball. 

Beating Loose Coverage

Winning in the slot requires deception, patience and a great understanding of coverages. Slot releases against linebackers and rolled safeties can be executed with much more creativity than most releases for outside receivers. Slot receivers have more space to manipulate defenders and more freedom to attack angles and use change of speed. 

2nd Level Slot Releases