Route tree basics: slant, out and go

Setup

1. Mark a line of scrimmage with cones. Put a cone 5 yards downfield in front of each receiver line.
2. Three receiver lines: one wide left, one in the slot right and one wide right.
3. A coach or QB stands a few yards behind the line with the balls.

How it runs

1. Wide left runs a slant: three hard steps, then cut inside at 45 degrees.
2. Wide right runs a 5-yard out: push upfield, then cut sharply to the sideline.
3. The slot runs a go: release, run straight past the cone and look back for a lofted ball.
4. Run one route at a time, then jog the ball back and join a different line.
5. Explain the route tree numbers as you go: 2 is the slant, 5 the out and 9 the go.

Coaching points

• Start every route in a two-point stance, outside foot back.
• Sell the first steps vertically so every route looks the same at first.
• Slant: plant on the outside foot and cut in; hands up early, ready for a quick ball.
• Out: sink the hips on the break, snap the head round and come slightly back to the ball.
• Go: run past the cone at full speed and look over the inside shoulder late.
• Catch with the hands, then tuck high and tight.

Common mistakes

• Rounding the cut instead of planting and breaking sharply.
• Slowing down long before the break, which tells the defender what is coming.
• Drifting upfield on the out route instead of flattening to the sideline.
• Turning to look for the ball too early on the go route.