10 Football Routes Every Receiver Should Know

Playing the role of receiver requires much more than speed and the ability to catch the football. In order to be effective at the position, players must run crisp, consistent routes that provide their quarterback the confidence to know they will be where they’re supposed to be.

So once you’ve identified who your playmakers are, it’s time to train them up to be the best route-runners they can be. The following routes are an excellent place to start.

Virtually every position coach and offensive coordinator has their own nuances and variations related not only to the passing tree in general, but also based on their own preference for the depth and execution of a given route. It should be noted that the routes discussed in this article are loosely based off of the 0-9-route passing tree utilized by Auburn University.

The stop route is a quick-hit route run most often by the outside receiver when a defense is caught in a soft zone. The receiver will threaten the corner's outside shoulder off the ball, push up field to five yards, breakdown and drive off of his outside foot back towards the line of scrimmage. The throw, ideally, will come on the receivers outside shoulder, allowing him to turn away from the defense and towards the sideline.