Teach Receiver Tempo
The word “feel” can be overused when people talk about football but a good slot receiver must have it. A big part of this is paralleled with teaching you receivers “tempo”. Let’s take this Levels concept that is pretty common on most passing attacks today.
As the drawing indicates the F receiver must stay on the move. A good intuitive player (or a well coached player) will understand that staying on the move does not always mean to come screaming across the middle 100 MPH with your hair on fire.
When you are facing man coverage then staying on the move with speed is the correct thing. However when facing zone, a good receiver will come across with a little pace. This way he does not run out of the opening in the zone coverage.
This will also help the F receiver after the catch. When it is time for him to put his foot in the ground and get north south to split the zone defenders. I coached an NFL tight end named Derek Schouman who was very good at this. He was particularly good at this in the red zone. He had a feel for catching the ball and finding a way to get in the end zone.
3 Offenses We Don’t Like For Youth Football
The quarterback’s read is fairly simple. I have included a few coaching tips for this 3×1 passing game concept below the drawing.
MOF Open (Cover 2)
Read: Y to F to Z
-If the QB sees bracket or in and out coverage on the Y, F or Z he can remove that receiver from the read. Get to the H back on the swing route as #3.
-This is a high low on the MLB and SLB depending on who carries the the Y.
Receiver Coaching Points
– The Y must get his depth and sell a vertical route. There should be separation between him and the F receiver.
-In the tight red zone the Y will run the crossing route two yards from the back of the end zone.
-The Y should also outside release to provide a possible rub vs man coverage and to sell the vertical threat
– There is a complimentary play to this that has the Y running a corner route. The Y must take advantage of this at the top of his route and do a good job with his head selling the corner route first before breaking inside on his crossing route.
-The Z must delay off of the ball to allow spacing between him and the F.
