Tips to Become a Better Wide Receiver

A wide receiver on a football team has a simple yet important job: to help the offense score points. The primary function of a wide receiver is to catch passes from the quarterback and gain yardage down the field. A wide receiver must have speed, agility and skill in order to be proficient at his job. The best are always striving to be better.

  1. Increase Speed

    • Speed is a crucial factor in being an effective wide receiver. The ability to have a step or two on the defense enables you to make catches that otherwise may have been swatted away or intercepted. It also lets you take off toward the end zone once you do make the catch. Strengthening your legs through weight training, jump training and hill sprints will help increase speed, as will efficient running mechanics. Drive yourself forward off the balls of your feet and lean your body forward with your head still as you run.

    Simulate Games In Practice

    • How you practice also plays a role in your effectiveness as a wide receiver. Taking repeated throws from the quarterback with no opposition won't get you ready for a real game situation. Practice with defenders trying to prevent you from catching the ball and run the same routes you would in a game to make it as close to the real thing as possible.

    Get Free

    • The ability to get yourself open to accept the pass is an attribute of all good wide receivers. The use of head fakes and sharp cuts in your route may confuse your defenders and help you get open for just long enough. Lean in toward the defender and then cut sharply the other way, or run hard toward a specific spot on the field and abruptly cut away at a specific point.

    Catch the Ball Properly

    • Your hands are your greatest asset when it comes to catching the football. Learn to catch the ball with your hands, rather than letting it hit you in the chest or stomach first. Focus on the ball while it is on the way and watch the tip as it enters your hands. Hold your hands in a diamond shape, with your thumbs and index fingers almost touching each other.

    Control the Ball

    • Ball control ensures you keep it with you so that it doesn't get knocked loose. After making the catch, tuck the ball under your arm and hold it close to your body for the run. Once you hit a good stride, keep your other arm free to fend off tacklers. Wrap both arms tightly around the ball and hold it close when it is obvious you are being tackled.