Receiver Station #1

This drill is designed to introduce proper receiving techniques and common routes receivers run.

• • Stress catching the ball out in front of the body with both hands. Receivers should catch the ball and tuck it away every time. They should make a habit of watching the ball at the catch as well as watching it until it is tucked away.

  • The foot nearest the ball (the inside foot) should be forward The hands should be out in front and the elbows at the side and bent. The first step should be a power step with the back foot--pushing off hard with the front foot. Check to see that receivers do not take a backward step first.

• Football

Warmup Catch Drill—Coaches make a short soft toss to each receiver. The receiver is standing still, not running. Stress catching the ball out in front of the body with both hands. For all passes that are even with the receiver's numbers or above, the thumbs and the first fingers of the receiver's hands should be together. They should form a basket or cone in which the ball will be caught. If the pass is delivered below the numbers, the receiver will have to change the position of his hands as he makes the catch. Instead of having the thumbs together, the receiver must put his little fingers together, causing his hands to form a basket or mitt in which to make the reception. Receivers should catch the ball and tuck it away every time. They should make a habit of watching the ball at the catch as well as watching it until it is tucked away.

Receiver start position—make 2 or 3 lines of receivers.

The first player in each line starts the route drill and runs the route designated. All receivers run the same route simultaneously as the coaches watch and critique. The receiver starts from a 2-point stance, standing up-right with one foot slightly ahead of the other and weight slightly forward. The foot nearest the ball (the inside foot) should be forward The hands should be out in front and the elbows at the side and bent. The first step should be a power step with the back foot--pushing off hard with the front foot. Check to see that receivers do not take a backward step first.

• 1. Routes—without a thrown ball

  2. 3-5 yard down and out:

  3. Run 3 to 5 yards as directed by the coach (little guys run 3 yards) then make a sharp break to the sideline by planting the inside foot.  Receiver should not look back for the ball until after the break and should keep running until he catches the ball. Do not stop and wait for the ball. After the catch, turn up field and sprint to goal line.

  4. Slant pattern:

  5. Run straight for 3-5 yards then slant toward the goal post, looking for the ball after the slant. Do not stop and wait for the ball. Keep running. After the catch, sprint toward the end zone.

  6. Buttonhook:

  7. Run 3-5 yards, then stop turn around and look for the ball. After the catch turn and sprint toward the end zone.