RELEASING OFF THE LINE.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of hype videos demonstrating a lot of fancy receiver footwork off the line that looks cool but takes entirely too long to develop. For instance, a fast 10-yard split might be 1.5s. That means in 1.5 seconds, a fast receiver can be 10 yards downfield and into his route. But, if you time all of that fancy footwork off the line, these receivers are typically 1-2 seconds into the route and still… at the line.

This hyped-up version of releasing off the line might be cool for social media videos, 7v7, or Flag Football – but when it comes to Tackle Football, it doesn’t work.

IT’S ABOUT TIME.

In all actuality, beating the DB is the quarterback’s job. And the QB beats the DB by placing the ball where he can’t defend it. The receiver’s job is to beat the D-line. And the receiver beats the D-Line by running the route and getting to where he’s supposed to be on the field before the D-Line can get to the QB.

Consequently, getting off the line and into your route as quickly as possible is paramount. And, all of that fancy footwork off the line, just takes entirely too much time.

STEP 1.

The first thing a receiver must do off the line is close the distance between himself and the defender. By immediately closing the distance off the line the receiver:

• Gets into the defender much quicker, making any cuts or changes of direction harder to defend.
• Increases their ability to separate at the stem of the route.
• Can pull the defender deeper into or even out of their zone responsibility.

ROOT TO STEM.

Root to Stem refers to the period between the ball being snapped and the receiver getting to the breakpoint of their route.

Besides just closing distance Root to Stem, receivers must:

• Fight forward through the block and into the route.
• Use Hand Games or other Offensive Skill Moves to “open the door” and keep the defenders hands off them.
• Not allow the DB to push them off their route.
• Get the DB away from the arm of the route.
  • This refers to the side the route is breaking to.

To get the defender away or off the arm of the route, receivers must:

• Use Offensive Skill Moves to Fight through the defender to put them on the opposite side of the route arm.
• Get the defender to bite with you on a move opposite the route arm, then, Spin or pivot into the actual arm.

STEM TO ARM.

Stem to Arm refers to the period between getting to the breakpoint, changing direction into the arm of the route, and the ball being caught.

Receivers must understand that it is okay to be physical when breaking at the stem and getting into the arm of the route. Especially against a handsy DB. It is perfectly okay to Hand Games his hands off you, Rip through him at the stem, or Vader him into the arm of the route.

FIGHTING THROUGH THE PRESS.

Receivers should view the press no differently than a linebacker views a block. The quicker you can shed it, the less effect it has on your ability to get after and stop the run (get into your route and catch a pass).

As such, receivers should:

• Master their Offensive Skill Moves.
• Develop the ability to physically drive through and open the door against the press.

And don’t:

• Instead of attempting to footwork through the press.
• Getting pushed off their route.
• Or taking entirely too long to get off the line and into their route.