WIDE RECEIVER

ROUTE RUNNING
TECHNIQUES
Scott Courter
Co-Offensive Coordinator & Wide
Receivers
Southeastern Oklahoma State
University

THE FIVE ESSENTIALS

1. 100% Max Effort on Everything (practice &
games)
Every snap, rep, drill, etc.

2. Team First
Be coachable
Takes the entire group to be successful
Team needs supersede individual needs

3. Know every play

The guys who know the most will play the most
Know every WR position
Their job to learn, we provide the tools

4. Must block
90% Do you want to do it (mental toughness)
Makes a statement about commitment to overall team

5. Play Special Teams

Not just as a Kick or Punt Returner
Difference between making the bus and staying home.

THE FIVE WR AREAS

Stance, Start, &

Release
Catching
Ball Security
Blocking
Route Running

ROUTE RUNNING
Arguably the most important
aspect of playing the
position.
Evaluate this closer than any
other area.
Can make a slower WR more
effective.
Directly related to catch
production.

FIVE ROUTE RUNNING PHASES

Release Phase (Stance & Start)
0-4 yards

Stem Phase
5-13 yards

Burst Phase
Last 2 yards before break point

Break Phase (Cut Phase)

Point at which the break or the cut is
made

Finish Phase
Where separation from defender is made

RELEASE PHASE: THE STANCE

Inside foot forward
85% of weight on front knee &
toes
Front heel 1 inch off the ground
Back knee slightly flexed with
heel 2 inches off ground
Back leg mostly for balance
Arms relaxed to side, and
slightly bent

RELEASE PHASE: THE STANCE

Shoulders should be square to LOS
Head & eyes should be up, initially
reading coverage, then looking in at the
ball
If press coverage:
Widen stance slightly, & bring back
foot forward to allow for a two-way go
Bend arms at 90, ready for contact
Same stance for both run and pass plays
Efficient & Consistent

RELEASE PHASE: THE START

Always drive off the front foot
Eliminate false steps & wasted
motion
Keep Head and Eyes up, looking
through the DB, past the end
zone
Explosive arm action off the ball
Faster you move your arms,
the faster you move your feet

RELEASE PHASE: THE START

Shoulders stay same distance off the
ground during start
Dont dip or raise shoulders
If shoulders do move, change stance
Close the DBs cushion as fast as
possible
DBs biggest fear is getting beat deep
Same start for both run and pass plays
Three types of Releases
Free
Roll
Press

STEM PHASE (5-13 YDS)

Sell the Vert

Head & Eyes stay up
Run on the toes
Maintain a good body angle
Maintain Straight Line
If necessary, avoid defender on
Finish side.

If necessary, attack defender on

inside or outside shoulder

BURST PHASE
Last 2 yards before break point
Wide Receiver Bursts into the
cut
Accelerate, while at the same
time preparing to slow down
Drills
W-Drill
Line Burst Drill

BREAK POINT PHASE

Point at where the break or the cut is made
Three different cuts or breaks
Power Cut (Curl), Square Cut (Dig), Punch Cut (Post)

Five Principles
Head & Eyes up
Lower Shoulders & Torso
Sink Hips
Pump Arms
Buzz feet

Dont reach for the break point

Feet, knees, hips, & shoulders work together
Feet should be staggered at break point, not
parallel

PUNCH CUT PRINCIPLES

Punch cut is used primarily on routes where a
sharp change of direction is necessary while
maintaining speed.
Post, Slant, Corner

Once break point is reached, punch with leg

opposite of finish side
On Post or Corner, lean head and shoulders
opposite finish side, & throw a hard head and
shoulder fake
Violently throw finish side elbow back to turn
body
Point finish side leg in direction of route and
accelerate
Never round a punch cut

SPEED CUT PRINCIPLES

Speed Cut is used primarily on Out or Dig
Routes vs. Zone Coverage, when getting
to a spot is of greatest importance.
Stem upfield, attacking finish side
shoulder of defender
Once WR is approximately 2 yds from
route finish depth, drop hips and chest,
rolling over finish side foot, while
accelerating to the proper route depth
Snap head and eyes around quickly, and
be ready for ball out of the cut

FINISH PHASE
Moment where the WR leaves the break
point
Important to accelerate out of the break
Dont finish lazy
Gain separation from the defender
Can make or break a completion

Head, Eyes, and Hands should be up and

facing the QB
Work back to QB on Curl, Stick, or Hitch
Stay low out of break, raise up as working back

Work slightly negative on Dig or Out

Dont open the door for a INT

FINAL TIPS
Define roles within group
Develop sense of group unity & pride
Chart practice production
Use it to determine playing time

Film as much as you can & show it to

them
Most kids dont realize it until they see it

Develop competition within group

Both practice & games
Highlights toughness & weakness
Reward winners

Unit Game Goals and Tip Sheets

WIDE RECEIVER GAME GOALS

GOAL SEASON AVG.

WIN!!! (6-3 currently)
15 Catches (14.5 per game)
200 Yards Receiving (196 per game)
2 TDs (1.9 per game)
100 YAC Yards (74.4 per game)
2 Blocks for TDs
(1.8 per game)
4 Pancakes (2.1 per game)
8 Knockdowns
(3.9 per game)
NO Dropped Balls (2.0 per game)
NO Fumbles (0.4 per game)
NO Mental Errors
(3.9 per game)
NO Missed Blocks (3.3 per game
NO PPEs (1.3 per game)
NO Stupid Penalties

QUESTIONS?
E-mail: scourter@se.edu
Office: (580) 745-2460