The Short Answer: The “football receiver route tree” is a system of breaking patterns that receivers and other pass-catchers run to create openings in defensive coverages. This “tree” includes 12 basic routes, each designed to give receivers an edge by finding soft spots in the defense. These routes are:
- Flat
- Slant
- Comeback
- Curl
- Out
- In (Dig)
- Corner
- Post
- Fade (Go)
- Wheel
- Angle
- Swing
In the route tree, each route has a designated angle and depth, providing options for quick plays, intermediate gains, or deeper shots downfield. By mastering these basic routes, players can adapt quickly to various defensive coverages and create openings that allow the offense to move the ball and ultimately score.
Understanding the Wide Receiver Route Tree
1. Flat Route
A flat route is a quick-breaking, short route often run by slot receivers or tight ends, especially in areas closer to the line of scrimmage. Here, the receiver takes three steps vertically, then breaks out sharply at a 45-degree angle toward the sideline. This route works well against zone coverage, where it creates the defense’s flat zone.
2. Slant Route
The slant route is a fast in-breaking route where the receiver quickly cuts inside at a 45-degree angle after one or three steps. Often run by slot receivers, this route allows the receiver to position his body between the defender and the quarterback. A slant is ideal for short-yardage gains, particularly when the quarterback needs a quick route against heavy pressure.
3. Comeback Route
The comeback route is a deceptive route designed to make the defender think the receiver is running deep. After selling the vertical route, the receiver plants hard and breaks back toward the sideline at a 45-degree angle. Outside receivers often use this route to gain separation down the field, allowing the quarterback to throw a challenging but rewarding back-shoulder pass.
4. Curl Route
Similar to the comeback, the curl route has the receiver break back toward the quarterback after selling a vertical route. Here, the receiver turns inward instead of outward, positioning himself between the defender and the ball. This route, also called a hitch, is effective for short yardage, especially near the down marker for a quick first down.
5. Out Route
The out route is a 90-degree angle cut toward the sideline, usually run 10-15 yards downfield. The outside receiver breaks sharply toward the sideline, creating separation from the defender. This route requires precise timing and arm strength from the quarterback, as the ball must reach the sideline before the defender can recover.
6. In Route
The in route, also known as a dig route, is the opposite of the out route. The receiver breaks inside at a 90-degree angle after running 10-15 yards upfield. This route is great for creating separation by leveraging the defender’s outside position before quickly cutting inside, providing the quarterback with a clear passing lane.
7. Corner Route
A deeper route, the corner route (or flag route) has the receiver breaking at a 45-degree angle toward the corner of the field. This route is often used against zone coverages like Cover 2, as it draws defenders out of the middle and opens up space underneath.
8. Post Route
The post route, another deep option, is the opposite of the corner route. The receiver breaks toward the middle of the field at a 45-degree angle, aiming for the area near the goal post. This route is effective for splitting safeties in Cover 2 and Cover 4 defenses, giving the quarterback a direct line to target the deep middle.
9. Go Route
The go route, or fade route, sends the receiver straight down the field in a full sprint, often ending with a back-shoulder pass. Outside receivers typically use this route to capitalize on speed and get past defenders, creating an opportunity for a big gain.
10. Wheel Route
Often run by running backs, tight ends, or slot receivers, the wheel route starts with a short break toward the sideline and then curves upfield into a go route. The wheel route is versatile, and frequently used to create mismatches against linebackers or cornerbacks in zone coverage.
11. Angle Route
The angle route begins at a 45-degree angle outward before cutting sharply back inside. This route, usually run by a running back, helps create quick separation in short-yardage situations, giving the quarterback a quick, reliable option over the middle.
12. Swing Route
The swing route sees the receiver break horizontally toward the sideline, bending slightly upfield for a short pass. This route is effective for gaining a few yards in situations where the receiver has room to move, making it a useful addition to the football route tree.
Each route within the route tree has a specific angle, depth, and purpose, allowing receivers to adapt their play to different situations on the field. By mastering the route tree, wide receivers and quarterbacks can communicate effectively, helping the offense execute more complex strategies and break down defensive coverages.
Combining Routes to Break Down Different Coverages
Understanding individual routes is only the beginning; the real power of the route tree is revealed when routes are combined to exploit weaknesses in defensive coverages. Here’s a look at some effective route combinations designed to break down Cover 2, Cover 3, and Cover 4 defenses.
Against Cover 2
Cover 2 uses two deep safeties with five defenders covering shorter zones, making it vulnerable between the cornerbacks and safeties.
Smash Concept
- Outside Receiver: Runs a hitch or comeback route to occupy the cornerback in the flat
- Slot Receiver or Tight End: Runs a corner route, targeting the gap between the flat defender and deep safety.
- Goal: This combination draws the cornerback down while the corner route finds a soft spot behind him, creating a high-low mismatch.
Four Verticals
- Outside Receivers: Run deep go routes.
- Slot Receivers or Tight Ends: Run seam routes up the middle.
- Goal: Four verticals challenge Cover 2’s two safeties by stretching them across the field. With four deep threats, the defense’s two-deep safety look leaves seams open down the middle.
Flood Concept
- Outside Receiver: Runs a go route to pull defenders back.
- Slot Receiver or Tight End: Runs an out route to the sideline.
- Running Back or Tight End: Runs a short flat route.
- Goal: By layering routes on one side, you can stress defenders covering the sideline by forcing them to choose between short and deep options.
Against Cover 3
Cover 3 features three deep defenders and four underneath zone defenders, so it’s best attacked with routes that target intermediate spaces and stretch defenders horizontally.
Levels Concept
- Outside Receiver: Runs a dig or in route at an intermediate depth of 10-15 yards.
- Slot Receiver or Tight End: Runs a shallow cross or drag underneath.
- Goal: This combination places two routes at different depths across the field, forcing the middle linebackers to cover more ground and decide between the shallow and intermediate receivers.
Curl-Flat Combo
- Outside Receiver: Runs a curl route (12-15 yards) to pull the cornerback deep.
- Slot Receiver or Running Back: Runs a flat route to stretch the underneath defender horizontally.
- Goal: The curl draws the deep zone defender’s attention while the flat route moves the underneath defender, creating an open lane for the quarterback.
Post-Wheel Combo
- Outside Receiver: Runs a post route to the middle.
- Slot Receiver or Running Back: Runs a wheel route up the sideline.
- Goal: The post route occupies the free safety, while the wheel route targets the open space along the sideline, forcing cornerbacks and safeties to make quick decisions.
Against Cover 4 (Quarters)
Cover 4 (Quarters Coverage) has four deep defenders to protect against deep passes, so attacking Cover 4 involves stretching these defenders vertically and horizontally.
Verts-Seam Combo
- Outside Receivers: Run go routes to occupy the deep quarters.
- Slot Receivers or Tight Ends: Run seam routes.
- Goal: The safeties are forced to cover the deep routes, opening up space down the seams for the slot receivers.
Yankee Concept
- Outside Receiver: Runs a deep post route.
- Other Receiver: Runs a deep crossing route underneath the post.
- Goal: The post route pulls the safeties toward the middle, while the deep crossing route finds open space behind the linebackers and outside the quarters defenders.
Scissors Concept
- Outside Receiver: Runs a corner route.
- Slot Receiver: Runs a post route.
- Goal: This combination confuses the safeties by crossing two deep routes on the same side, making it difficult for them to stay in position and forcing them to choose between the corner and post routes.
Maximizing Route Combinations with Smart Route Running
Each combination in the passing tree plays to the specific weaknesses of these common coverages. When receivers and quarterbacks master these combinations, they can adjust different routes in game, helping the offense find open spaces and move the ball effectively.
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