The route tree is a language. Young receivers need to learn the five basic routes and run them cleanly before anything else matters. This drill makes each route a habit.
Equipment needed: 8 cones, 3 balls, 2 receivers.
Setup: Set up two 10-yard by 10-yard squares, side by side. QB lines up 5 yards back from the line. Receiver lines up at the line of scrimmage in each square.
How to run it:
- QB calls a route number: “1 is go,” “2 is slant,” “3 is in,” “4 is out,” “5 is curl.”
- Receiver runs the route. QB throws accurately on time.
- Do 3 reps of each route for each receiver. Walk through first, then at game speed.
- Routes should be about 8 yards deep so throws are on rhythm.
What to look for:
Go route: straight up the sideline, gradual fade. Slant: 3 steps up, plant, cut inside at 45 degrees. In route: 5 steps up, plant, cut inside sharp at 90 degrees. Out route: 5 steps up, plant, cut sharp outside. Curl: 7 steps up, decelerate, plant back toward QB. Each route should have a clear plant and cut point. If a receiver is rounding a cut, the route is wrong. The QB should throw with timing, not aiming at the receiver.
Variation: Add a defender 5 yards back in zone coverage. Now the receiver is running the route to get open, not just running a pattern. Receivers should feel the defender and adjust their depth (going deep if covered shallow, sitting down if covered deep).