Find all the articles in our American football frequently asked questions on this link. Today, understand the routes of receivers in the NFL.
You hear about receivers who are experts in routes, or in “route” in the original version. If the players modulate their movements according to the position of the defenders, they do so according to nine scripts serving as a basis.
To attack the depth of the field (20-50 yards)
“Routes” 7, 8 and 9 are intended to attack defenses over long distances.
Appointed Hornr, route number 7 consists of a straight line sprint from the receiver, then the player diverts his course towards the corner of the field. The route Post starts identically. The difference is that the player deviates his course towards the interior of the field: towards the goal postthe posts.
The ninth and last road consists of a “straight” sprint! Appointed Go, Fade Or Ninethe receiver uses his speed in a straight line to outflank the opposing defense.
This requires athletic skills, like those measured in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The technical dimension is nevertheless present because the receiver must also be able to catch the leather: while he is sprinting and the ball arrives behind his back!
In 2023, no one has gained more yards in the NFL than lightning-fast receiver Tyreek Hill (Miami) running a route Go.
Short routes (5-10 yards)
Flat And Slant are patterns where the offensive player typically takes three steps forward. Then it branches outwards or towards the interior of the field. This tactic is used to avoid defensive pressure, with a quarterback throwing his ball very quickly towards a player lined up in the slot.
With the Detroit Lions, Amon-Râ St.Brown is one of the best at catching short passes and then gaining yards after receptions.
Intermediate routes (10-15 yards)
When the called play is a Comebackthe receiver sprints when engaging the ball: his intention is to make the defender believe that he is going to attack the depth of the field! But the player interrupts his run and returns to his quarterback.
Turning around, the player walks towards the touchline. If, on the contrary, he returns towards his quarterback towards the interior of the field: the route is named curl.
This tactic is favored by the New York Giants regarding the use of Malik Nabers in 2024: 23.7% of his routes were curl after 10 matches 2024.
Games designated as out Or Dig (sometimes called In), also have the function of deceiving defenders in a deep attack. The receiver then deviates his course towards the outside or towards the inside of the field, in an (almost) horizontal manner.
The screen pass
A Screen is not counted in the plot tree containing nine branches. If this pattern is often effective, the reception takes place before crossing the line of commitment. It is therefore not listed in the road tree“the plot tree”.
Implications and consequences
With three or even four receivers on the field, the goal of the coaches is to make his players run several of these routes at the same time: in order to stretch the defenses and also to hide their intention.
When you hear that a quarterback has to know how to “have multiple reads,” what that means is that the moment the ball is engaged, he has to be able to identify which receiver is getting out.
Often, when the defined play is a short pass (Flat, Slant or Screen), a receiver runs this route while the other receivers are responsible for blocking their opponents: thus preventing them from releasing their markings to intervene on the player for whom the play is called.
In addition to his offensive production (1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns), Brandon Aiyuk is considered one of the best receivers when it comes to blocking. This may be a small detail for you, but for coaches it means a lot!
