Pro Level Drills for Wide Receivers

Pro Level Drills for Wide Receivers


Every great athlete knows that success on the field starts in practice. As a wide receiver, your role extends far beyond simply catching passes. You must master everything from basic hand-eye coordination to complex route running patterns. In today's game, even if you are a running back you will be tasked with catching passes out of the backfield. Therefore, this guide can actually prove useful to any offensive skill position players looking to develop a complete skill set that will have recruiters turning their heads.

For true wide receivers, your primary focus will depend on where you line up on the field. Outside receivers often need to dedicate more time to contested catching drills and deep ball tracking, while slot receivers might emphasize quick-cutting route running and speed work in the open field. Players who line up at multiple positions, including tight ends, benefit from a balanced approach to all these skills.

The Short Answer: No matter your position, every receiver needs a strong foundation in 4 key areas.

  1. Route precision at the line of scrimmage

  2. Catching exercises using tennis balls and medicine balls

  3. Speed and agility work

  4. Game situation practice for press coverage

Ready to transform your game? Let's dive into the specific drills that will elevate your skills and help you make even the most difficult catches look easy.

Drills to Develop Foundational Skills

Before diving into complex routes or advanced techniques, you need to build a strong foundation. These drills focus on the basic skills that every receiver needs to master.

Speed and Agility Fundamentals

Quick-Step Ladder Drills

Start at the line of scrimmage with an agility ladder laid flat. Practice quick, precise steps through the ladder while keeping your upper body stable. This tool builds the footwork needed for explosive starts and crisp cuts. Check out a combination of ladder drills here.

Key Focus Points:

  • Keep your chest up and eyes forward

  • Lift your knees high

  • Stay on the balls of your feet

  • Move in different directions (forward, lateral, backward)

Cone Acceleration Drill

Set up five cones in a straight line, five yards apart. Sprint to the first cone, backpedal to the start, then sprint to the second cone, and continue this pattern. This drill develops the acceleration and direction changes needed in the open field.

Basic Coordination Work

Tennis Ball Reaction Drills

Tennis ball drills are excellent for developing quick hands and sharp reflexes. Here are two essential variations:

Wall Throws:

  1. Stand 3 feet from a wall

  2. Throw a tennis ball against the wall

  3. Catch it with your opposite hand

  4. Increase speed and add multiple balls as you improve

Partner Quick-Catch:

  1. Face your partner 5 yards apart

  2. Partner holds two tennis balls

  3. React and catch based on which ball they release

  4. Progress to catching while moving in different directions

Medicine Ball Control

Medicine ball work builds the strength needed for controlling the ball through contact with defenders.

Basic Circuit:

  1. Medicine ball chest catches: 10 reps

  2. Overhead catches: 10 reps

  3. Low catches: 10 reps

  4. Side-to-side catches: 10 reps each side

Body Control Development

Balance Beam Walks

Using a painted line or low beam:

  1. Walk heel-to-toe forward and backward

  2. Practice quick stops

  3. Add head turns to simulate looking for the ball

  4. Progress to catching tennis balls while walking

Single-Leg Stability Drill

This individual drill improves your body control for sideline catches:

  1. Stand on one leg

  2. Have a partner toss balls to different body positions

  3. Catch while maintaining balance

  4. Switch legs after 10 catches

Route Running Drills for Wide Receivers

The difference between a good receiver and a great one often comes down to route-running precision. These drills will help you create separation from defenders and give your quarterback clear passing windows.

The Three-Cone Setup

The foundation of route running starts with a simple three-cone drill. Set up three cones in an L-shape: the first cone at the line of scrimmage, the second cone 5 yards straight ahead, and the third cone 5 yards to the right or left. This setup allows you to practice the core routes every outside receiver needs.

When running this drill, focus on these key technique points:

  • Drive off the line with explosive power

  • Make sharp cuts at full speed

  • Keep your shoulders square until the break point

  • Snap your head around quickly to find the ball

Five-Step Break Drill

This individual drill helps perfect your cuts without complex equipment. Start at the line of scrimmage, take five hard steps, then make a decisive break in any direction. The key is varying your break angles between 45, 90, and 180 degrees while maintaining speed through the cut.

Press Coverage Release Work

Working against press coverage requires specific techniques that you can practice with a defender at the line of scrimmage. Focus on both inside and outside releases while using proper hand fighting techniques. Stay low through your release and work on these fundamental moves:

  • Quick step and go

  • Stutter step

  • Swim move

  • Hesitation step

Infographic breaks down the best wide receiver drills for catching

Route Combination Work

In-game situations, routes rarely exist in isolation. Practice combination routes with other receivers to master:

  • Rub routes against tight coverage

  • Pick plays for zone defense

  • Switch releases from stack formations

  • Timing adjustments with the quarterback

The speed cut series is particularly effective for this type of practice. Set up 5 cones in a zigzag pattern and run your routes at full speed, making sharp cuts at each cone while keeping your pad level consistent.

Body Control Fundamentals

Proper body control underlies all effective route running. Stay low in your breaks and keep your weight forward. Use your arms to help change direction, and maintain consistent speed through your routes. Common mistakes to avoid include rounding off cuts, tipping off routes with body lean, looking back too early, and slowing down before breaks.

Rhythm and Timing Development

Building chemistry with your quarterback takes dedicated practice. Work together to nail down proper route depths, understand hot read adjustments, and master option routes in team drills. The timing between a receiver's break and the quarterback's throw often determines success or failure on game day.

Remember, route running isn't just about following a path—it's about creating separation from the defender at the right moment. Practice these drills until they become second nature, and you'll see your success rate climb on both short routes and deep passes.

Catching Drills & Implementing Game Situations

Creating game-like scenarios in practice helps you prepare for the difficult catch moments that define great receivers. These drills combine catching mechanics with realistic game situations.

Tennis Ball Reaction Training

The tennis ball remains one of the best tools for developing elite catching skills. Work with a partner who rapidly fires tennis balls at different angles and heights. This develops the quick-twitch reactions needed for jump ball situations and builds essential hand-eye coordination.

Contact Catching Drills

Use a medicine ball with a helper present to simulate the contested catches. Have the teammate or coach bump you with varying levels of contact as you secure the catch. This prepares you for physical defenders and helps develop the body control needed to maintain possession through contact.

Deep Ball Tracking

Deep ball tracking separates good receivers from great ones. Work with a quarterback or passing machine to practice tracking the ball over either shoulder on deep routes. Start at varying aiming points and focus on adjusting your body position while maintaining speed. This skill is crucial for any outside receiver looking to make big plays downfield.

Game Speed Scenarios

Combine your route running with realistic catching situations:

  • Sideline toe-tap drills

  • Over-the-shoulder deep ball catches

  • Quick slants with defender contact

  • Jump ball situations in the end zone

Remember to practice these drills at game speed with a defender present whenever possible. Focus on securing the ball before turning upfield, and always finish each rep as if you're a ball carrier breaking for extra yards.

How Grip Boost Can Help You Perform at Your Best

You can practice these receiver drills endlessly, but without reliable grip, even the best technique can fail you on game day. That's where Grip Boost comes in. Our football gloves are engineered with the tackiest grip technology available, helping athletes at all levels make those difficult catches look easy.

Available in both youth and adult sizes, Grip Boost gloves maintain their tackiness longer than standard football gloves. But we didn't stop there. Our innovative football glove gel lets you restore your gloves to like-new grip whenever you need it. Just apply a small amount of gel, and you're ready to get back to making plays.

NFL stars like Tyreek Hill trust Grip Boost because they know every catch counts. Whether you're running routes at training camp or making plays under Friday night lights, don't let worn-out gloves hold you back. Check out our complete line of wide receiver gloves and grip-enhancing gel, and give yourself the advantage on every play.


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