WIDE RECEIVER MANUAL a ot“MAKE SURE YOUR (| “A” PLAYERS GET |. 2 Ie wy Saeeeseeeel | SS 3 B od Lemme == Tu lam c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.tpyeagjsounod ~ eel ae Tmdsg snow OL ku] eID eusAd “Fay Bi IEAS raps we rae BOD — OEP NG [- eee Een Pee | daug ei0ueD, "fSpinoUg SreNbs Byjssor5 | aaeaE BES, pam Ton sas ae Ta ca ews i a “ps rawing LT L | sbksleursiody— “aia eH” "| [racy a 7 Gracy »8.V.. LAD SHAAV Id wW. YNOA JUNS SAVIN pS Pape e BLE on AaCATCHING ‘There are many important components of catching the football: 41. Focus on the front stripe of the ball. 2. Keep your body balanced as much as possible, 4, Relax your body. 5. Adjust to the ball. 8. Lock it away quickly. A. HAND OVER SHOULDER Drill: Coach throws soft ball over inside shoulder of recelver 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). RIGHT AT ME Drill: Coach throws ball at upper torsofface area as receiver comes directly back at the coach. C.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. .P: Receiver focuses on front white stripe of ball. Thumbs together get {ull extansion with arms. Catch the ball at highest point (lock it away). RIGHT AT ME (LOW) 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), BACK AT ME 45 DEGREES Drill: Coach throws ballin front of receiver as receiver works back at 45 dagree angle. CP: Foous on front whita sttipe — extend the arms ~ cushion the ball on contact (lock it away). 3, Extend your arms and attack the ball to cut down the flight time. <—27 c a Outside Handrit: 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) “. OVER HEAD ( 1 1 AR ‘c CARI SNAP Drift: Coach throws the bat! in front of receiver as he comes out of carioca. Receiver —— Flip Away should face outward. Flip away irom coach. Level off at 80-degree angle. G.P: Receiver should always be in balance - get your face out of break - extend : the arms and cushion on contact (lock it away). oe ae f e (Foce—>) CARIOCA SNAP (QUT) CARIOCA SNAP (CURL) CARIOCA SNAP (COMEBACK) Cc oR é (< Face) (Face—>) t<—F08) CROSSING SQUARE SHOULDER Drill: Receiver runs on a parallel line 2s coach throws the ball to him (not too far in front). C.P: Receiver should squars his shoulder to coach, extend his arms, thumbs together - cushion \ on catch (lock it away). GROSSING LOW Drill: Receiver runs on a parallel ine as coach throws the ballin front of him. “—————R .P: Receiver reaches dawn with pinky's together, cradles and cushions. \ Bend at knees and waist if necessary (lock it away): Steet eee eee \ \ c GROSSING HIGH Dai: Raceiver runs on a paral ne as coach throws the bal high infront of tim .———R jeceiver extends his arms with thumbs together. Focus on front stripe of ball (lock it away). \ iN CROSSING BACK HIP vi Back Hip Drill: Receiver runs on a parallel line as coach throws the ball behind him on his back hip, G.P: Receiver should stop if necessary — Square shoulders, put pinky's together and hk cushion on contact (lock it awayy. \ \ \ CcFADE TO BALL - _prilfs Coach throws the ball over outside shoulder of receiver working away. / (Outside Shoulder) ( Zeceiver looks over inside shoulder ~ fade outside to the path of ball {your back. Pinky's together. Catch Ball over outside shoulder (lock it away) ADJUST HEAD TO BALL ee Drill; Coach throws the ball over outside shoulder of receiver working away. C.P: Receiver looks intially over inside shoulder. Snaps his head from inside to outside and runs through the transition of head tum (do not siow down). Pinky's’ together, cushion on contact (lock it away) ! (Snap Head to Ousic °. a 2 HANDS OVER SHOULDER oat Drill: Coach throws the ball over inside shoulders of receiver as receiver works away. : C.P: Recelver must run through ball. Pinky's together — hands come out late (lock it away). Nots: If coach throws it short, stop and attack the ball at highest point. °. a SIDELINE 3 FEET ‘Drill: Receiver runs into boundary carrying as much-controlied speed as possible, wu. + sw _ ‘Coach throws the ball to the boundary in front of the receiver. R _ Tap3 Gb: Receiver must focus frst on front stripe of ball. Extend thearms (eck it away)... noo}. T. Times. Tap feet 3 times before going out of bounds. ee : ABOVE EYES: ght at him. C-P: Receiver should throttle or stop and catch every ball above his eyes. Thumbs , , Drill: Receiver works away from coach at 45-degree angle. Coach throws the ball 7 together, arms extended — cushion on contact (lock it away). RSLIDE IN/OUT : \ & Drill: Receiver runs an inside curl or outside comeback. Slides opposite of direction of break. Coach throws him away from imaginary defender. CP: Recelver moves quickly away from break. Stay on the same plane (work flat). Extend arms, cushion on contact (ock tt away), Tum and run ‘upfield. JET 4 rit: Cones are set 1 yard apart. Reoelver works the top of the route, After the catch, tuck your shculder and work to get upfield quickly. JET DRILL (2) Receiver works the top of the route. Fight Drill: Canes are set 1 yard apart. ‘and work to get up field quickly. to stay in bounds. Tuck your shoulder BOUNCE CATCH 7 | N £ 8 ‘ 2 4 Drllt: Throw bounce pass to receiver in all direction. This forces receiver to concentrate on the ball. C.P: Track the ball o--TOP OF STEM The next six drills are tied into routes. The receiver should work 2 310 4 step approach at the top of the route. This will allow him fo concentrate and focus on precision in the transition of the route. The bail should be thrown according to the route being run (remember that all catches will occur ( 2 yards or less). The key ‘emphasis in these drils should be directly related to break points illustrated later in this manual, Quality and repetition of routes is key. (Inside Break) Hard Angle CURL R (Outside Break) Hard Angie COMEBACK eae e R Ge (Vertical Break) Vertical Cut POST f / ¢é R (Vertical Break) Vertical Cut FLAG / L Sees eeescren eee ae - a , o R | our (Outside Break) Speed Cut | 7 DIG / (inside Break) Speed Cut | r / R / cPARTNER CATCHES: It is imperative that receivers are able to play in traffic - stay relaxed, and stay focused on the white stripes of the ball. Put the ball away quickly. .P: Defender harasses the recatver but does not touch the ball DRILL 4 RIGHT AT QB. Cd DRILL 2 GOING AWAY FROM QB. DRILL 3 GOING ACROSS. DRILL 4 COIMNG DOWNHILL. — DB.‘Tremendous technique coupled with great effort will allow you to become a great blocker. ‘We must understand fhe dynamics of leverage and how they should be applied. The A-8-C-D's will teach you the proper progression of leverage and enable you to control your defender while blocking. S £ A.) Alignment: Know the leverage of the defenders) that you need to block. Is he head up? Outside? or Inside? His alignment, along with the run play R called, will determine your approach to the defender. B,) Bead: Your approach to the defender has two different phases: Head Up Outside Be 4.) Push/Breakdown 2.) Creep and Punch. eed 1.) Push/Sreakdown — Come off the bail with good tempo. (7/8 speed). Try to drive the defender deep. Be under control in case he does not back out quickly, As you breakdown 4 yards from defender, be able to move all three directions —Front, Right, or Left, 2.) Creep ~ Slowly close the distance between you and the defender (ike Sion stalking his prey). Be under control. C.) Contact: Punch the defender with the heels of your hands in his breastplate. Heels on Fingers are spread wide. Eyes level at the top of his numbers. Keep your breasplate. ‘elbows inside, Use your hands as if they were the steering wheel on an Fingers spread. ‘automobile to tun and maneuver him (must be physical). Feet are spread Eyes at top of #s. Shoulder width apart, knees are bent, Stay square as long as you can. CRIP etbows inside ‘Steering Wheel 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 fo produce power angles. 2 STEP PUNCH Drill: Receiver is in the Cowboy Position across from the defender, Guns are in the Strike breastplate o holster, fest shoulder width apart, knees are bent, aiid eyes are to the sky. On defender on secon command, receiver takes 2 steps toward defender. As the second foot hits the ground, the hands strike the breastplate (target). C.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). | a | 5. 2 STEP PUNCH AND DRIVE Drill: (Execute the 2 step punch). Drive defender for five yards i 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 offba 22) shoulder pads of receiver and attempt to throw him off balance. The defender should give ground when he is being blocked. io rey C.P: Base should always stay constant (wide). Now is the time you can steer the defender away. eee 2 (steer defender) Wide Base PUNCH DOWN THE LiN Dritt: Defender should stand 1 yard across from receiver. Both defender and receiver work parallel down the line. The receiver punches with his front hand €-, Def. jin the defenders front number. Snap your hand back after punch. He should D ————> kick sfide laterally. C.P: Receiver cannot cross his feet nor raise up on the slide. Pad level 3 Should stay constant as he moves down the ne (the punch should be. «= R————> ((S Vaal physical), a0 —| ce \ Rec. Kick — Slide 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 sats 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: Recalver aligns 1 yard across form 5 - man sied 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). Ss Pre- Snap Drive Forearm Through Pad, Extend Your Hips“+. 3 BAG TRIANGLE CUT * Dell: Align 3 stand-up dummies in a triangle. Receiver shouid attack the dummy six inches above the knee, Drive the a _-near arm through the contact spot with his body square to the a. He Should explode through the dummy, land flat on his ‘stomach and bounce back up. Repeat on dummy 2and3. £ C.P: Receiver should be low and explosive. Head should 1 raise on contact. Recaiver must be close enough where he can "Expk rot . (step on the defenders toes). K ‘Explode Through Contact” R R PUSH AND CRACK D#2 Drill: Receiver drives defender # 1 off as he eyes a second 5 defender, #2. He must be under control on defender #1 incase ” #1D he does not back off. If defender # 1 backs out and defender #2 supports, the receiver must take ari angle to intersect defender # 2. ~S C.P: Receiver must have head-up to inside leverage on defender # 1. Y Neg. Crack Angle ‘This will enable him to get back to defender # 2. Receiver may have to come back down hill to gat him. Receiver must push off the ball 0 he doesn't have double support. ee @ (Outside Play) BOARD DRILLS: 2 STEP PUNCH DRIVE Drill: Start at front of board, 2 step punch on defender who Is off the edge of the board. Drive him. C.P: Good punch, Short power steps. Good posture. fo —> LIVE BOARD DRILL... Dri: Both guys are offense. Try to drive other man off the board on the command, 8 | 8 C.P: Quick hands, stay low, keep fest moving CREEP AND PUNCH TO BOARD Drill; Defender staris at the edge of the board. Creep to him. Make sure you have ‘complste balance in your hips. 2 step punch (make sure your second foot hits ground as your hands hit the target). Drive him off the board,BREAK POINTS ~ {tig crucial to win the battle in transition. As receivers go to change directions, they must be flawiess. No hitches, false steps or indicators fo key the defender that something different is happening. There are many break point negatives to guard against. The firs is the eyes. A receiver should stare through the defender at the Braak Pr’-t. 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 yo. to raise up. Ideally, you want to have your hips coiled (not locked) at all mes, This will enable you to spring out of the cut. Take your feel and body all the way fo 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 nc 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 completa control you have reached the pivot phase. You will pivot on both fee! 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 had snaps fo the target. There are 3 types of Break Points fo master. Hard Angle (most difficult), Speed Cut (least difficult) and Vertical Cut (Moderately difficult). HARD ANGLE Drill: Set up a Break Point cone and an angle cone, Receiver should carry as much speed as possible to the Break Point cone, without losing control, Receiver should use good technique and come out exactly at the Angie. cone. (Repeat other side), C.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). ‘Angle Cone SPEED.CUT ~ BHI Osing the’ conés, set up a start cone and a frarisilfon cone. Have receiver bulld speed directly at the transition cone. As he closes, he should drop the route side shoulder, accelerate his arms, and level off pareliel 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 (Alternate Receivers) VERTICAL CUT Drill: Using a start cone and a transition cone, have receiver bulld speed to the transition cone. As he geis as close as 3 yards, but no cioser 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 shoulderiake opposite the break. 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). Tum your chin not the shoulder when looking for the ball. Break Point A R Angle Con: R 4~ DAISY Dritt: Every five yards receiver should emphasize hitting heavy with the route-side foot and coming to balance with the opposite foot, (“han the second foot hits the ground, receiver shouid throw his \ gad 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 itdown. Keep your eyes and head up on the defender. NOD AND GO Drill: Receiver works stuttering his fest, 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 colled tc be able to avoid the defender. "3OX DRILL AND FIGURE 8 Drill: Coach sets up four cones in a square. Receiver works Hard Angle cuts, both 80-degree angle and 45-degree angle. Work all four cones. C.P: Check route side foot, body posture, and eyes. ANGLE CU” Drift: Coach seis 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 untll the break. Cut off outside foot, All hard angle Break Point rules apply. Route Side Gy Left i : i Heavy Left Foot cae ‘Up Move! ——> Ilusion 2 Every 5 yards , Hold Defendae_—> D With Stutter! Then Gol 4 A Se as R b A A Drive on Cone Sharp Break ‘45 Degres APOSTURE DRILL Great to push the defender off. Drill: Start on a diagonal. Throw your shouiders forward. Make sure your head stays up and you drive your arms, Then stand back up Completely and back pedal § yards, Repeat the dril in the shape ofaW. FOOT FIRE Great for balance, arm drive, and foot quickness. Drills Position your cones 1 - 2 yards apart. Take es many steps as you can between cones A and B, B and C. G and D etc. Move your feet and arms as fast as you can, ("Under Control"). When you approach the next cone, make sure eyes are up. Put your foot "hard" in the ground to change direction, Rock your head and shoulders opposite to simulate the top of stem CARRY TO ROUTE DEPTH ~Great for balance through a sitting defender, 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 fo defender. Once you reach route depth, Hard Angle Break Point applies. Run out of the break. >RELEASES AND ESCAPES Itis 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. Receivers must also exhibit great hand-to-hand skils in tight areas, Second and third level releasas are 2s critical as | first level releases, When a defender sits down at 6 or 8 yards, you must have a plan. Escaping man defenders is essential. Building the wall fo create throwing lanes is done in a number of methods, Using Horizontal and Vertical seperation techniques will best maximize spacing late in the route, The following drills wil 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. Tum your upper torso simltaneousty with the contact to reduce your hitting surface (upper torso). Take your opposite arm 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 v'olent movernents). RIP: Drop the near shoulder to the defender. Tur your upper torso away so your back is to him, Punch through with the near arm. Rip your arm violently to-break his hand off. (keep your hips upfield) RELEASES: LOWER BODY | Before you execute a whip or rp 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 a, side. Ee ‘STUTTER STEP; 3 controlled steps with the first one being opposite the release side. (Used versus more patient DB's) Stutter Head movernent goes in conjuntion with your feet movement. ‘You never want to release around a defender ~ release through (Left Release) é 7 him. Get him displaced with you Jab or stutter step(s). Replace 29 his near hip & foot with you hip & foot, and then attempt to get 4, back directly on top of him, #4 Note: The Whip or Rip release with the stutter or jab footwork. ‘can, and should, be executed at all depths down the field. The ‘most important ingredient when releasing a defender who is not onsthe-line is coming under control and getting your hips coiled.RELEASE DRILLS re : 6 SCOOCH(Used against an aggressive, onthe-tine defender): -P*® Snap peed Drill: Receiver takes a 6-inch rocker step back, throws his shoulders - Gn. straight back and then executes 2 Whip release. a c C.P: Hollow out with your shoulders: quickly spring off the rocker step (back). SINK AND SIT Drill: Defender shows head-up, press coverage. On command, JAM he shuffles back 3 to 5 yards. Defender then stops and attempts g D R to jam receiver, Receiver releases directly up field and must ‘execute whip technique when the defender sits. C.P: Close the cushion and come under control, Release through him and not around him. ‘| (Use Whip When | Defender Jams} STACK RELEASE Drill; Set one defender at 1 yard and the second defender at t, 5 yards. Receiver must release (Whip or Rip) on first defender, D Rip Whi get back on top of him, then release through second defender Pp 8 Yards| | <——— Get Directly On 7 v R {you can set the second defender at 10 yards and walk him up of 1st Defender RiphWhip as receiver approaches). €.P: Receiver must get directly on top of the first defender after releasing. Receiver must approach second defender with control 4 Yard [ and balance. ESCAPE DRILLS ‘Slap Near Butt To Escort : Defender Up Ft Rig ite Arm Underneath DUCK UNDER/OUT (Giving the Q8 the Passing Lane) 7 pe Drill: (Used when getting walled by the defender). Recslver 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 chack 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 Drilt:_ (Used when geting walled by defender) Receiver and aefender start up the field. Receiver stutters his feet enough 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 (dont waste too much time). DR STAIRCASE Drill: (Used on Horizontal routes) Receiver starts opposite of desired passing lane (thus, a ‘post-recelver 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 lo hip. Receiver takes one hard step opposite the 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 Drilt: (Used on Vertical routes) Recaiver starts opposite of desired 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 dirsction 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, ‘9 further, 7 4 STACK EM Drill: Receiver and Defender should stand hip to hip. Receiver initiates the movement by moving infront 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. t 4 C.P: Recsivermust explode out of the break at 2 90-degres angle... ee (make sure hips are dropped). i i TAC! &POST Drill: Pressure step away with hard head fake; explode to desired angle. 4 4 i Dd DR STACK EM CURL i 4 >