A route is a path a receiver runs. The cone is the breakpoint, the spot where the receiver changes direction. Three basic routes cover most plays at this age: hitch, out, slant. Run them at the cone and the receiver knows where to be.
What you need: Cones. Open grass. Two players.
Setup: Receiver at the line. Cone 5 yards downfield.
How to run it:
- Hitch route (3 reps): receiver sprints to the cone, stops, turns to the QB. Catch with hands ready.
- Out route (3 reps): receiver sprints to the cone, plants and breaks 90 degrees toward the sideline.
- Slant route (3 reps): receiver takes 3 steps, plants and breaks at a 45-degree angle toward the middle.
- Repeat all three patterns. Different cone for each route if it helps.
- Last round: thrower makes the call before each rep. Receiver has to run the right route.
What to watch: The plant at the cone. A soft plant means a slow break. The plant has to stop the body in one step.
If they’re struggling: Drop the throw. Just run the routes without a ball.
If they’ve got it: Add the throw. Receiver runs, QB throws to the spot the receiver is heading.