WITHOUT BUILDING the proper foundation for receiver play, your objectives cannot be obtained for the passing game. As a coach, you must firmly stress the basic fundamentals of the receiver position.
There are two main attributes we look for in athletes who wish to play the wide receiver position.
- Attitude. The first thing coaches must encourage in a WR is attitude. This shouldn’t be misconstrued as a negative attribute, but rather a positive one. This kind of WR attitude infers that “I’m better than the person who lines up against me.”
But a WR needs to know that it’s not by merely stepping onto the field that makes him better. He needs knowledge of purpose, assurance (of completion) and recognition of the team concepts. This attitude gives the WR pride but not selfishness, knowledge without bragging and arrogance with humility.
Though other elements are needed to build a solid receiver, attitude is the foundation of strong receiver play.
- Willingness To Block. You’ll often hear the saying that “a good running game is essential for a good passing game.” This has never been more true than in today’s era of football. Your WRs must know how and have a willingness to block.
WR Blocking Technique
In the running game, WRs must be accountable for blocks on the defensive perimeter. For our team, this blocking is preferably done in zone situations. WRs must sprint hard off the snap and take an aggressive line at one of the defender’s shoulders to assure zone coverage — keeping the defender honest — and not letting him get away with a zone disguise.
As the WR approaches the defender, he must break down into a good hitting position, with the feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent and the weight of his body distributed on the balls of the feet. His head must be up, with hands to the side and elbows bent.
Keeping his shoulders facing the defender, the WR should then quickly close the distance to the defensive back while staying in a good hitting position. This is done by taking short choppy steps on the approach.
Once the WR is an arm’s length away, he should give the defender a shot with both hands, making contact on the breast plate of the defender’s shoulder pads with the heel portion of the hands. This breast-plate area can be called the defender’s “steering wheel.”
The WR’s fingers should be pointed out with the thumbs pointed up. Teach your WRs not to over-extend the arms at this point. This is a major mistake as it presents a target for the DB to knock away the arms. Once the hands are on the defender’s steering wheel (the breast plate), the WR is in control and can take the DB wherever he wants by pushing on either side of the steering wheel. Knowing the parameters of holding rules helps alleviate penalties.
The receiver must keep his shoulder’s square to the DB with the hands and arms within the frame of his body. With the correct skill and attitude, the receiver can be taught to drive-block the DB deep downfield or, even better, to end up with a “pancake block.”
Precision Route Running
Precision route running is an area that’s varied according to the offensive philosophy employed by a coaching staff. The one constant is that the receiver knows where he’s going and the DB doesn’t. This is an advantage that must be utilized in the passing game.
A WR’s route should initially look like a different route. This can be done a number of ways through moves such as the single-, double-, bull-rush and rip-moves, and should be supplemented with varying head, hand and shoulder placement. The idea behind these moves is to let the defender think he knows where the route is going and then go the opposite way — such as selling a post route and then running an out.
It’s important that your receivers use several moves throughout the game. Otherwise a defender can pick up on where the route is going. Your receivers should utilize multiple moves to keep the defender guessing.
Route-Running Moves
The technique for any move is to attack a certain shoulder of the defender and get him to open his hips in a certain direction. Once the defender has his hips open, he must turn completely around to defend the route behind him. This is exactly what your WRs should strive for. When a defender is playing a “press” technique, the responsibility of the receiver is to get off the line of scrimmage and place the defender in a “trail” position behind the receiver. A defender will use this press technique to take the receiver out of his route progression and subsequently delay his start off the LOS and disrupt the timing of the route.
Techniques to combat this play include the “swim” and the “bull-rush” moves.
- Swim Move. This move consists of knocking the defender’s hands away from the receiver’s chest. There are two parts to this move.
1. With the near hand, the WR comes across the chest to strike the defender’s hands midway between the elbow and the wrist.
2. With the WR’s off arm, he comes over the arm of the defender, placing his arms behind the receiver’s elbow. This automatically places the defender in a “trail” position.
- Bull-Rush Move. This technique can be used against a DB that is using press coverage, but is weak with his hands. The bull rush is performed in the same manner as blocking. The idea is to get good blocking position on the defender and then “pancake” him. This puts the defender on the ground and lets the receiver continue his route.
“Placing” The DB
Another key aspect of route running is “placing” the DB. This is used to create good body position for the WR and give the quarterback a better passing target. Proper position of the receiver, along with the correct attitude, creates the best situation for a successful reception.
Catching The Ball
There are many ideas concerning the proper way to catch both the spiral and the poorly thrown “end-over-end” ball. Many believe that the technique begins with placing the WR’s hands in front of his body with the palms facing out and then having the player touch the thumb and forefinger on both hands to form a “diamond.” The receiver is taught to receive the tip of the ball in the diamond.
While correct in concept, there is a problem with this method. When the ball arrives, it only touches the thumbs and forefingers. In catching a pass, the receiver wants to place as many fingers on the ball as possible. Fingers should be used instead of palms because the fingers provide compression and cushion at the same time.
To do this, the WR places his hands in a cone shape — as if he already had the ball in his hands. Once the receiver catches the ball, he should bring it close to his body and under one of his arms to tuck the ball away.
Concentration Drill
The eyes of the receiver should always be focused on the ball and his concentration must be on maintaining ball security. A teaching method for keeping concentration throughout the catch is to use markings on the football. On one end of the ball, use a marker and write the letter “C” 1 inch below the tip. On the other end, write the letter “O” in the same manner.
Next, use the marker and write letters — such as A, B, C and D — on each of the four pieces of leather that converge at the tip of one end of the ball. On the other end of the ball write 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The first drill to be used with the ball is the simple catch. When catching the ball, the receiver must identify which end of the ball he sees by yelling “O!” or “C!” As he tucks the ball away, he must shout out the number or letter facing up on the ball. Since “O” and the “C” look so much alike, it will be hard to master at first. The coach running the drill must check to make sure that the receiver made the correct call before the WR throws it back to the QB.