What is a football route? A football route is the path a receiver or eligible player runs after the snap to get open for a pass. Mastering these routes is crucial for successful football play execution. This guide will break down how to run every type of route with precision and efficiency, helping you become a more effective weapon on the field.
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The Foundation of Effective Route Running
Running a good route is more than just sprinting to a spot. It’s a combination of technique, speed, and intelligence. You need to know what to do with the ball, how the defense is playing, and how to use your body to gain an advantage.
Deciphering the Route Tree
Every route has a name and a number, forming what’s known as the route tree. This is your playbook for attacking defensive coverage. Knowing the route tree allows you to communicate effectively with your quarterback and understand your assignment within a play.
Here’s a look at some common routes:
- The Slant: A sharp, in-breaking route where the receiver runs 3-5 yards upfield and cuts inside at a 45-degree angle.
- The Out: The receiver runs 5-7 yards upfield and breaks towards the sideline at a 90-degree angle.
- The Comeback: The receiver runs 10-15 yards upfield, then breaks back towards the quarterback at a 90-degree angle.
- The Go/Fly: The receiver sprints straight downfield, aiming to get past the defender.
- The Post: The receiver runs 10-15 yards upfield and cuts diagonally towards the goalposts.
- The Drag/Cross: The receiver runs 5-10 yards upfield and cuts horizontally across the field.
- The Corner: The receiver runs 10-15 yards upfield, then breaks towards the sideline and upfield again, creating a corner shape.
- The Curl: The receiver runs 10-12 yards upfield, then turns back towards the quarterback.
Essential Skills for Every Route
Regardless of the specific route, certain core skills are vital for success.
Precision Footwork
Your feet are your engine. Good footwork allows you to change direction quickly, maintain balance, and sell your route.
Stance and Get-Off
- Neutral Stance: Weight balanced, knees slightly bent, eyes forward.
- Explosive First Step: Drive out with your lead foot and propel yourself forward.
- Pad Level: Stay low off the snap to create leverage and acceleration.
Cutting Technique
- Plant Foot: Drive your plant foot into the ground to anchor your body.
- Striking the Ground: Use the ball of your foot to cut.
- Body Lean: Lean into your cut to help you change direction while maintaining speed.
- Arm Action: Use your arms to drive your momentum through the cut.
Body Control and Balance
You need to be able to control your body at high speeds and through sharp cuts. This prevents falls and allows you to make contested catches.
Speed and Acceleration
Pure speed is important, but explosive acceleration off the line and the ability to maintain speed through your route are even more critical.
Handwork and Catching
While this guide focuses on running the route, a clean catch is the ultimate goal. Practice catching with your hands, not your body.
Timing and Spacing
This is where route running elevates from just running to being an art form. Timing and spacing are about working with your quarterback and understanding where to be and when.
- Quarterback’s Timing: Different quarterbacks have different throwing motions and release points. Learn their rhythm.
- Defensive Coverage: Adjust your route based on what the defense is doing.
- Spacing Between Routes: In team concepts, receivers must maintain proper spacing to avoid crowding each other and creating clear passing lanes.
Mastering Specific Routes
Let’s dive deeper into how to execute some of the most common passing routes.
The Slant
The slant is a quick-hitting route designed to exploit inside leverage from a cornerback.
Execution:
- Release: Explode off the line. If you have outside leverage, attack the defender’s outside shoulder. If you have inside leverage, attack their outside shoulder to create separation.
- Path: Run 3-5 yards upfield.
- Cut: Make a sharp, 45-degree cut inside. Keep your head down through the cut to sell the deep route momentarily.
- Turn and Look: As you cut, turn your head and look for the ball.
- Catch: Secure the pass with your hands.
Tips:
- Sell the deep route with your body and head to draw the defender upfield.
- Make a decisive cut. A rounded cut gives the defender time to recover.
- Finish through the catch.
The Out
The out route is a classic sideline route.
Execution:
- Release: Similar to the slant, sell the deep threat or use a release move to gain leverage.
- Path: Run 5-7 yards upfield.
- Cut: Make a sharp 90-degree cut towards the sideline.
- Turn and Look: Turn your body to the quarterback and present a target.
- Catch: Keep your feet in bounds and secure the ball.
Tips:
- Be aware of the sideline.
- If the defender plays off, you can flatten your cut slightly.
- If the defender is playing tight, a quick out can be effective.
The Comeback
The comeback is designed to get behind a defender who is playing soft coverage.
Execution:
- Path: Run 10-15 yards upfield, attacking the defender’s outside shoulder.
- Sell the Deep Route: Make the defender believe you are running a deep pattern.
- The Break: Plant your foot hard and break back towards the quarterback at a 90-degree angle.
- Get Square: Turn your shoulders to face the QB and create a good target.
- Catch: Extend your hands for the ball.
Tips:
- The farther you go, the more you need to sell the deep route.
- The break should be sharp and decisive.
- Come back to the ball, don’t wait for it to come to you.
The Go/Fly
The go route is all about speed and creating a big play.
Execution:
- Release: Use your quickest release to get past the defender.
- Path: Sprint straight downfield.
- Head on a Swivel: As you approach the end of your route, look back for the ball.
- Adjust: Adjust your body to make the catch, even if it’s not a perfect throw.
Tips:
- Run through the defender’s cushion.
- Maintain speed.
- Be ready for the ball at any point downfield.
The Post
The post route attacks the middle of the field.
Execution:
- Path: Run 10-15 yards upfield, aiming for a spot 5 yards inside the widest part of the defender’s alignment.
- Sell the Outside: Give the impression you’re running an out or corner route.
- Cut Inside: Break sharply at a 45-degree angle towards the goalposts.
- Head Turn: Turn your head to look for the ball.
- Catch: Secure the pass.
Tips:
- The stronger your outside sell, the more separation you’ll get inside.
- Be aware of safeties who might be responsible for the middle of the field.
The Drag/Cross
The drag route is a short, horizontal route that can be effective against zone coverage.
Execution:
- Path: Run 5-10 yards upfield.
- Cut: Cut horizontally across the field.
- Low and Fast: Stay low and run fast to get across the field quickly.
- Look for the Ball: Turn your head and look for the pass.
- Catch: Secure the ball and be ready to run after the catch.
Tips:
- This route is great for finding soft spots in zone coverage.
- Keep your speed up to get separation.
The Corner
The corner route is designed to take the defender to the sideline and then upfield.
Execution:
- Path: Run 10-15 yards upfield, attacking the defender’s outside shoulder.
- Sell the Go: Make the defender think you’re running a go route.
- The Break: Break sharply towards the sideline at a 90-degree angle.
- Turn Upfield: Continue running upfield along the sideline.
- Catch: Extend your arms and make the catch, staying in bounds.
Tips:
- This route requires excellent body control to make the sharp cut to the sideline.
- Communication with the quarterback is key to ensure the throw is outside.
Advanced Route Running Techniques
Beyond the basics, mastering route running involves incorporating advanced techniques to exploit defensive weaknesses.
Leveraging Your Body
Use your physicality to your advantage without drawing penalties.
Creating Separation with Your Hands
- Push-Off: On comeback or out routes, a subtle push with your forearm can create space.
- Wipe: A quick, sharp hand move can knock a defender off balance.
- Shielding: Use your body to shield the ball from defenders after the catch.
Using Your Stride and Speed
- Explosive First Step: This is non-negotiable.
- Maintaining Speed: Don’t slow down unnecessarily through your breaks. Accelerate out of your cuts.
- Tempo Changes: Varying your speed can keep defenders guessing.
Reading Defensive Coverage
This is where defensive coverage recognition becomes paramount. You need to anticipate what the defense is doing to adjust your route accordingly.
Pre-Snap Reads
- Alignment: Where is the cornerback aligned? Inside leverage? Outside leverage?
- Depth: How far off the line of scrimmage is the defender?
- Down and Distance: What are the offensive and defensive tendencies in this situation?
- Formation: How does your formation match up against the defense?
Post-Snap Adjustments
- Defender’s Movement: How is the defender reacting to your release and initial movement?
- Leverage: If the defender has inside leverage, you might break outside. If they have outside leverage, you might break inside.
- Zone vs. Man: Are you facing man-to-man coverage or a zone scheme? This dictates how you run your route.
Example: If you’re running a comeback and the cornerback is playing 5 yards off you with outside leverage, you know you need to attack their outside shoulder to make them commit, then break back towards the QB. If they are pressed up on you with inside leverage, you might need a different release to get inside.
Timing and Spacing in Team Concepts
In most offensive schemes, multiple receivers are running routes simultaneously. Timing and spacing are critical for the offense to function.
- Clear-Out Routes: Deeper routes like the Go or Post can clear out safeties and linebackers, opening up shorter routes underneath.
- Spacing: Ensure you don’t run into other receivers. This is especially important on crossing routes.
- Working Together: Sometimes, a receiver’s route is designed to help another receiver get open.
Training and Drills
Consistent practice is key to mastering route running. Incorporate these footwork drills and techniques into your routine.
Drills for Footwork
- Agility Ladder Drills: Improve foot speed, coordination, and quickness.
- In-and-Outs
- Ickey Shuffle
- Lateral Strides
- Cone Drills: Focus on sharp cuts and acceleration.
- Pro Agility (5-10-5)
- T-Drill
- Zig-Zag Drills
- Box Drills: Improve change-of-direction while maintaining balance.
Route Running Drills
- Individual Route Running: Practice each route from the route tree with a focus on technique.
- Release Drills: Work on various releases against imaginary or real defensive backs.
- Inside Release
- Outside Release
- Press Release Techniques
- Ball Adjustment Drills: Practice adjusting to different throw locations and speeds.
- Back-shoulder Throws
- Off-platform Throws
- Timing Drills: Work with a quarterback to get the feel for their release and timing.
Receiver Blocking
While not directly part of running a route to catch the ball, understanding receiver blocking is an important part of a receiver’s overall skillset and responsibility on certain plays. Sometimes, a receiver will run a route to occupy a defender, or they might be asked to block for a running back after the catch.
- Understanding Blocking Assignments: Know who you are supposed to block and when.
- Proper Technique: Use your hands and body to control the defender, keeping them away from the ball carrier.
- Low Pad Level: Just like in route running, staying low provides leverage.
- Drive Blocking: Push the defender away from the play.
Putting It All Together: The Complete Receiver
Being a great receiver isn’t just about speed or catching ability; it’s about executing the offense flawlessly.
Film Study
Watch film of yourself and professional receivers. Analyze their techniques, their adjustments, and how they create separation.
Communication
Talk to your quarterback and coaches. Discuss play concepts and any adjustments needed on the fly.
Adaptability
Be ready to make post-snap adjustments. If a defender jumps your route, be prepared to adjust your break. If the play breaks down, find ways to help your team.
Mental Toughness
Football is a game of inches and mental fortitude. Stay focused, learn from mistakes, and always compete.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What’s the most important part of running a route?
A1: While all aspects are important, the get-off and the break are arguably the most critical. An explosive start gets you off the line quickly, and a sharp, decisive break creates separation.
Q2: How do I get better at defensive coverage recognition?
A2: Study film of defensive schemes. Pay attention to defender alignments, tendencies, and how they react to different formations and plays. Practice with a coach who can simulate different coverages.
Q3: What are some good footwork drills for receivers?
A3: Agility ladder drills and cone drills (like the Pro Agility and T-Drill) are excellent for improving foot speed, coordination, and change-of-direction ability.
Q4: How does receiver blocking relate to running a route?
A4: On some plays, your route might be designed to occupy a defender and open up a different part of the field. On others, after the catch, you might need to block for the ball carrier. Understanding your role in the entire play is key to football play execution.
Q5: What is the difference between a post and a corner route?
A5: A post route breaks diagonally towards the goalposts, while a corner route breaks towards the sideline and then continues upfield. Both are vertical routes with an inward or outward break, but the angle and direction of the break differ.
By focusing on these techniques, training diligently, and developing a keen football IQ, you can elevate your route running and become a more valuable asset to your team. Master these skills, and you’ll be on your way to running routes like a pro.