WIDE RECEIVER MANUAL“MAKE SURE YOUR “A” PLAYERS GET AS” o™ gialtTHE ESSENCE OF BEING A GREAT RECEIVER TAKES ON FOUR EQUALLY IMPORTANT PHASES: CATCHING BLOCKING BREAKPOINTS RELEASES THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED TO GIVE YOU INSIGHT AND ILLUSTRATIONS ON WAYS TO IMPROVE IN THOSE AREAS. EACH MAJOR SECTION, AS WELL AS MOST SIGNIFICANT POINTS IN THOSE RESPECTIVE AREAS, WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED. THE CHECKLIST SHEET ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE ENABLES YOU TO KEEP A DAILY RECORD OF DRILLS COMPLETED. IT WILL ALSO KEEP YOU ORGANIZED FROM A WEEK- TO-WEEK LEARNING OR TEACHING PROGRESSION. FILL IN THE DATE AND THE DRILLS USED ON THE SPECIFIC DAY.(se0s80q 06) Ui (seei69q 06) no WES Uoiegjeounog ore208 | eros ~~} seq eourog aseaneis ~]indeg nog 01 Aues} ——yoaig w sng CORTE) 09 BenMS Wa emsog ‘seys}@9 Joupeg iH eg Buissoig z I ! | inonepun Yana tia! vo sida aos deus exoue —“japinoug exenbg Buissarp aseojoy 08g sens ads @ toung 1 ino RORUE eps WOH BurB5615 1s BUS Asa) aL auound Bei 3akg 9uN oxoay eroueD wpooog {Wo eaten | wom y sso. — | soa { —u1e8 € eulepis eOH 3600, (oxexi) ei6uy peed | — puna pue daain sours / aor di —1 - (Sxex) (Buy peH aug @ wound dag Z| ind soums / ger dium I 1 SING JeUyed SOUS ound dais Z Was jo GOL leg 0) @pe3 0p) 4940 PUBH | Boo ao Seo al osc) ra) uS.V. LAD SUAAW 1d «Ws. UNOA SYNS AVI. Ee ELAS EN ria] Ypeqawiog | Jepinoyg Jano spuey z | ‘s90i68q Sb OW 12 08a Wea oi peeH ray | mo7ubiH Wie joyCATCHING ‘There are many important components of catching the football: 1, Focus on the front stripe of the ball. 2. Keep your body balanced as much as possible. 3. Extend your arms and attack the ball to cut down the flight time. 4, Relax your body. 5. Adjust to the ball. 6. Lock it away quickly. 4 HAND OVER SHOULDER , Outside Hand Drill: Coach throws soft ball over inside shoulder of receiver as receiver , works away. Receiver catches ball with outside. ' Coaching Point (C.P.): Receiver should track the front end of the ball. Look the ball all the way into the hand. Lock it away. (Repeat with other hand). ¢ a RIGHT AT ME Drill: Coach throws ball at upper torso/face area as receiver comes directly back at the coach. .P: Receiver focuses on front white stripe of ball. Thumbs together - get full extension with arms. Catch the ball at the highest point (Lock it Away). (To train late hands put hands behind back) RIGHT AT ME (HIGH) Drill: Coach throws ball above the receiver's head to make him leave his feet. receiver comes directly at him. C.P: Receiver focuses on front white stripe of ball. Thumbs together get full extension with arms. Catch the ball at highest point (lock it away). a RIGHT AT ME (LOW) R Drill: Coach throws ball at the knees or lower area of receiver as receiver comes directly at coach C.P: Receiver focuses on front white stripe of ball. Pinky's together — cradle and cushion (lock it away). c BACK AT ME 45 DEGREES Drill: Coach throws ballin front of receiver as receiver works back at 45, degree angle. .P: Focus on front white stripe -- extend the arms -- cushion the ball on contact (lock it away).! OVER HEAD Drill: Coach throws ball directly over receiver's head as receiver works away. C.P: Receiver should look directly over head - arch his back - have his pinky's together. Cusion on the contact. (lock it away) on CARIOCA SNAP Drift: Coach throws the ballin front of receiver as he comes out of carioca, Receiver —— Flip Away should face outward. Flip away from coach. Level off at 90-degree angle. C.P: Receiver should always be in balance - get your face out of break - extend Carioca the arms and cushion on contact (lock it away) (Face—>) / ’ e / - Z c R ¢c R (<— Face ) (Face—>) CROSSING SQUARE SHOULDER —— R Drill: Receiver runs on a parallel line as coach throws the ball to him (not too far in front). \ .P: Receiver should square his shoulder to coach, extend his arms, thumbs together - cushion \ (on catch (lock it away) \ c CROSSING LOW Drill: Receiver runs on a parallel line as coach throws the ball in front of him. <——R .P: Receiver reaches down with pinky's together, cradles and cushions, \ Bend at knees and waist if necessary (lock it away). \ \ c CROSSING HIGH Drill: Receiver runs on a parallel line as coach throws the ball high in front of him vw R C.P: Receiver extends his arms with thumbs together. Focus on front stripe of ball (lock it away). \ \ é CROSSING BACK HIP v Back Hip Drill: Receiver runs on a parallel line as coach throws the ball behind him on his back hip. ‘C.P: Receiver should stop if necessary — Square shoulders, put pinky's together and ows sri / ring D.) Drive: As your hands are the steering wheel, your legs are the motor. We need to create movement. Drive him out by taking short 6-inch power steps. Keep an arc in your lower back, a wide base, and your butt out to produce Power angles. 2 STEP PUNCH t i E>. Strike breastplate of Drill: Receiver is in the Cowboy Position across from the defender. Guns are in the ag defender on second holster, feet shoulder width apart, knees are bent, and eyes are to the sky. On ‘command, receiver takes 2 steps toward defender. As the second foot hits the step. ground, the hands strike the breastplate (target). .P: Make sure that contact occurs on the second step, or receiver will get over-extended and have no base. Freeze on contact to see if body posture is correct (must hear the punch). Cowboy Position 2 STEP PUNCH AND DRIVE Drill: (Execute the 2 step punch). Drive defender for five yards C.P: Check posture base. Make sure you don't lose the punch phase.TOSS AND THROW . Defender Drill: (Execute the 2 step punch & drive phase). Have the defender grab the (throw off balance) shoulder pads of receiver and attempt to throw him off balance. The defender le. e 4 should give ground when he is being blocked. C.P: Base should always stay constant (wide). Now is the time you can steer the defender away. oT Receiver (steer defender) Wide Base PUNCH DOWN THE LINE Dril: Defender should stand 1 yard across from receiver. Both defender and receiver work parallel down the line. The receiver punches with his front hand @- Det, in the defender's front number. Snap your hand back after punch. He should D >» kick slide laterally .P: Receiver cannot cross his feet nor raise up on the slide. Pad level should stay constant as he moves down the line (the punch should be R— physical) == Rec. Kick — Slide aye Punch Front Number ENGAGE THE BLOCK DOWN THE LINE Drill: Get in a fit position with hands, make sure your weight is balanced. Hips Bent. Defender sets the speed of the lateral slide. C.P: Receiver must work to stay in front of defender. Do not raise up on the movement. & POINT EXPLOSION Drill: Receiver aligns 1 yard across form 5 - man sled on his hands, knees, and toes. On command he explodes, driving his forearm and shoulder low through the pad. Recoil and repeat. C.P: Receiver must come out of his hips (extend hips completely) on contact. Also on contact, head should be up (repeat both sides) b Sy Drive Forearm Through Pad, Extend Your Hips “Ef Pre- Snap3. BAG TRIANGLE CUT + Drill: Align 3 stand-up dummies in a triangle. Receiver should attack the dummy six inches above the knee. Drive the near arm through the contact spot with his body square to the bag. He should explode through the dummy, land flat on his stomach and bounce back up. Repeat on dummy 2 and 3. J « | .P: Receiver should be low and explosive. Head should raise on contact. Receiver must be close enough where he can (step on the defender’s toes). mA. PUSH AND CRACK Drilt: Receiver drives defender # 1 off as he eyes a second defender, # 2. He must be under control on defender # 1 in case ‘he does not back off. If defender # 1 backs out and defender # 2 Supports, the receiver must take an angle to intersect defender # 2. C.P: Receiver must have head-up to inside leverage on defender # 1 This will enable him to get back to defender # 2. Receiver may have 7 “Explode Through Contact" Y Neg. Crack Angle to come back down hill to get him. Receiver must push off the ball ‘so he doesn't have double support. NN ‘@ (Outside Play) BOARD DRILLS: 2 STEP PUNCH DRIVE rill: Start at front of board. 2 step punch on defender who is off the edge of the board. Drive him. .P: Good punch. Short power steps. Good posture. LIVE BOARD DRILL Drill: Both guys are offense. Try to drive other man off the board on the command. C.P: Quick hands, stay low, keep feet moving CREEP AND PUNCH TO BOARD Drill: Defender starts at the edge of the board. Creep to him. Make sure you have ‘complete balance in your hips. 2 step punch (make sure your second foot hits the ground as your hands hi the target). Drive him off the board.BREAK POINTS {tis crucial to win the battle in transition. As receivers go to change directions, they must be flawless. No hitches, false steps or indicators to key the defender that something different is happening. There are many break point negatives to guard against. The first is the eyes. A receiver should stare through the defender at the Break Point. Many young receivers drop their eyes to look at the Break Point. Keep your eyes and head up. The second problem arises when you reach or extend for the Break Point. This will lock your hips out and cause you to raise up. Ideally, you want to have your hips coiled (not locked) at all times. This will enable you to spring out of the cut. Take your feet and body all the way to the Break Point. Your toes should point up field. Numbers should be ‘over the knees. The third negative indicator is the arms. You want to keep them close to the body in a natural running action. Do not accelerate them or extend them from your body. The final problem arises with too many steps approaching the Break Points. The fewer steps you can take, the quicker the transition will take place. Try to take a 2-step aproach to get in and out. The route side foot should be the one that slows or breaks you down. Hit heavy with that foot to start the transition. The opposite foot will fall into Place. Once your body comes under complete control you have reached the pivot phase. You will pivot on both feet simultaneously. Jump out of the cut. The spacing between your feet is critical. The distance is based on the width of your hips. This allows your hips to open naturally. When the pivot foot hits the ground, the head snaps to the target. There are 3 types of Break Points to master. Hard Angle (most difficult), Speed Cut (least difficult) and Vertical Cut (Moderately difficult) HARD ANGLE ae Point ‘as much speed as possible to the Break Point cone, without losing control. Receiver should use good technique and come out exactly at the Angle cone. (Repeat other side). .P: Check route side foot, body posture, and eyes. Make sure receiver snaps his face coming out of break. Slow down if he is not perfect. Change A. the Angle cone to get desired cuts. "Run" out of the break everytime (This keeps the separation). A A Drill: Set up a Break Point cone and an angle cone. Receiver should carry P R Angle Cone Angle Cone R SPEED CUT A « a Fransition: Drill: Using the Cones, set up a start cone and a transition cone. Have <-- receiver build speed directly atthe transition cone. As he closes, he C should drop the route side shoulder, accelerate his arms, and level off 1 Receivers parellel to line, C.P: Receiver should not raise up. Snap your face out of the break. Keep arms close to the body. Transition should take place in 2 yards. 4 4 (Alternate ) R — VERTICAL CUT Drill: Using a start cone and a transition cone, have receiver build speed . to the transition cone. As he gets as close as 3 yards, but no closer than \ 1 yard, have him take a step slightly outside the framework of his body. \ Have him come out at a very skinny angle up field. He should aslo use a head and shoulderfake opposite the break. é C.P: Make sure the step is not too wide at the break or else the hips will become locked. The stem should be directly at the cone (defender). ‘Accelerate out of the break (speed is the key). Turn your chin not the shoulder when looking for the ball J-~----w,DAISY Drill: Every five yards receiver should emphasize hitting heavy with the route-side foot and coming to balance with the opposite foot When the second foot hits the ground, receiver should throw his head and shoulders up field as he bows down. This gives the illusion to the defense that he is going on an ‘up move.’ C.P: Execute this drill very slowly. Over emphasize picking the foot up and slamming it down. Keep your eyes and head up on the defender. NOD AND GO Drill: Receiver works stuttering his feet, changing his tempo and dropping his body posture. He then re-accelerates. C.P: Receiver can look at the Break Point on the ground, but don't lose sight of the defender. Keep your hips coiled tc be able to avoid the defender. BOX DRILL AND FIGURE 8 Drill: Coach sets up four cones in a square. Receiver works Hard Angle cuts, both 90-degree angle and 45-degree angle. Work all four cones. C.P: Check route side foot, body posture, and eyes. ANGLE CUT Drill: Coach sets up cones 5 yards apart in 45-degree angles. Receiver drives on cone and makes a sharp break. C.P: Start slow. Keep shoulders square to the cone until the break. Cut off outside foot. All hard angle Break Point rules apply. Route Side g Left HeawtetFot - @ ‘Up Move! —» Iilusion t Every 5 yards Hold Defender_—> D. with Stutter! Then Go! A A A AL A R A A Drive on Cone Sharp Break A 45 Degree APOSTURE DRILL KOK Great to push the defender off Drill: Start on a diagonal. Throw your shoulders forward. Make sure your head stays up and you drive your arms. Then stand back up completely and back pedal 5 yards. Repeat the drill in the shape ofaW, FOOT FIRE a, > Great for balance, arm drive, and foot quickness. a Drill: Position your cones 1 - 2 yards apart. Take as many steps c we as you can between cones A and B, B and C. C and D etc. Move your feet and arms as fast as you can, ("Under Controf"). When you ™, approach the next cone, make sure eyes are up. Put your foot "hard" SB in the ground to change direction. Rock your head and shoulders ‘opposite to simulate the top of stem A KA R R CARRY TO ROUTE DEPTH reat for balance through a sitting defender. i — fag Drill: Use a guy with a hand shield at a prescribed depth. Receiver should collision defender on the route side soft shoulder with his hips down. Keep your hips parallel to line of scrimmage. Be strong with arm closest to defender. Once you reach route depth, Hard Angle Break Point applies. Run out of the break. ,RELEASES AND ESCAPES {tis imperative that receivers are able to release off the ball and escape man or zone defenders, Various techniques are used while doing this: speed, quickness, fakes, power. and anticipation. Ressivers must also exhibit great hand-to-hand skill in tight areas. Second and third jevel releases are as critica se first level releases. When a defender sits down at § or 8 yards, you must have a plan, Escaping man defenders is essential. Building the wall to create throwing lanes is done in a number of methods. Using Horizontal and Vertical seperation techniques will best maximize spacing late in the ute. The following drils will enable you to put the defender where you want in man cover schemes RELEASES: UPPER BODY WHIP: Using the release side hand, physically club with an open hand at the defender’s elbow. Turn your Serer otse simitaneously with the contact to reduce your hiting surface (upper torso). Take your oppesite aim and "Whip" it through release side area (do not punch it ~ Whip it). May have to break defenders ‘hand off if you missed the punch. (This entire action demands quick and \ olent movements). RRIP: Drop the near shoulder to the defender. Tum your upper torso away so your back is to him. Punch ‘hrough with the near arm, Rip your arm violently to break his hand off (keen your hips upfield) RELEASES: LOWER BODY Before you execute a whip or rip release, you must threaten the defender. You do this by using a jab or stutter step and head-and-shoulder fake. JAB (Left Release) JAB STEP: 1 controlled step 6 inches opposite the release é, Side. 42 Receiver Footwork STUTTER STEP: 3 controlled steps with the first one being opposite the release side. (Used versus more patient DB's) Stutter Head movement goes in conjuntion with your feet movement. A You never want to release around a defender = relosss through _(Left Release) e him. Get him displaced with you jab or stutter. ‘step(s). Replace a 8 his near hip & foot with you hip & foot, and then attempt to get & back directly on top of him. q g Note: The Whip or Rip release with the stutter or jab footwork can, and should, be executed at all depths down the field, The ost important ingredient when releasing a defender who is not ‘on-the-line is coming under control and getting your hips coiled,RELEASE DRILLS - Pre- Snap 6 Inch Rock SCOOCH(Used against an aggressive, on-the-line defender} ‘Shoulders Back Drill: Receiver takes a 6-inch rocker step back, throws his shoulders straight back and then executes a Whip release. .P: Hollow out with your shoulders: quickly spring off the rocker eye step (back) SINK AND SIT — Zé Ww! ns Drill: ‘Defender shows head-up, press coverage. On command, JAM he shuffles back 3 to 5 yards. Defender then stops and attempts 3-5 Yards to jam receiver. Receiver releases directly up field and must g execute whip technique when the defender sits. C.P: Close the cushion and come under control. Release through D him and not around him. (Use Whip When t Defender Jams) STACK RELEASE Drill: Set one defender at 1 yard and the second defender at 5 yards. Receiver must release (Whip or Rip) on first defender, DRiowni get back on top of him, then release through second defender P (you can set the second defender at 10 yards and walk him up 5 Yards <——— Get Directly On Top as receiver approaches) of 1st Defender C.P: Receiver must get directly on top of the first defender after D_RipWhip releasing. Receiver must approach second defender with control 1 Yard [ ia and balance. R ESCAPE DRILLS ‘Slap Near Butt To Escort Defender Up Field Ri: Opposite Arm Underneath f DUCK UNDER/OUT (Giving the Q8 the Passing Lane) Drill: (Used when getting walled by the defender). Receiver and defender start up the field. Receiver must make sure defender is on the same plane (hip to hip) as he. Receiver takes his near hand, slaps the near butt check of defender, to escort him up field, then takes the opposite arm and rips it undemeath. C.P: Must be near butt cheek. Make sure that shoulders are dropped when ripping motion is applied, Explode in or out. Run out of the break. DOR NOTE: IT IS CRITICAL FOR A RECEIVER TO GET HIS HIPS UP THE FIELD. WHEN YOUR HIPS ARE UP FIELD, YOU ARE ABLE TO CONTROL THE DEFENDER.STUTTER AND GO Drill: (Used when geting walled by defender) Receiver and defender start up the field. Receiver stutters his feet enough to throttle the defender down. As the defender sits down, explode with a speed cut over top. C.P: Receiver should drop his hips on the stutter, fire his feet, and re-accelerate (don't waste too much time) R STAIRCASE Drill: (Used on Horizontal routes) Receiver starts opposite of desired passing lane (thus, a ‘post-receiver' starts outside of (0) defender, hip to hip. A ‘comer-receiver starts inside of the defender, hip to hip). Both the receiver and defender work up ® R field, hip to hip. Receiver takes one hard step opposite the D direction he is going, and then gets back on same stem C.P: Receiver should do a good job with head and eyes looking for the 1 step up field c BOBBLE Drill: (Used on Vertical routes) Receiver starts opposite of Gesired passing lane (Thus a ‘post-receiver starts outside of defender, hip to hip. A ‘comer-receiver starts inside of defender, hip to hip). Both the receiver and defender work up field, hip to hip. Receiver takes one hard step opposite the direction he is going, and then gets back on the same stem, C.P: Receiver must do a good job with head. Get back on original stem, no further. c bk STACK EM Drill: Receiver and Defender should stand hip to hip. Receiver initiates {he movement by moving in front of defender, putting the defender directly behind him. Defender trails receiver. Receiver then pushes downfield 7 yards. Receiver then executes a stutter and a hard head fake opposite the break. C.P: Receiver must explode out of the break at a 90-degree angle (make sure hips are dropped). f b STACK EM FLAG & POST Drill: Pressure step away with hard head fake; explode to desired angle. 4 D 1 D STACK EM CURL ° 2