| These routes and names being taught are according | | | | is beating the man in front of you. Get a good release |
| the West Coast offensive scheme (Seattle | | | | of the line of scrimmage and the first person to the 15 |
| Seahawks, Tampa Bay Bucanneers, Philadelphia | | | | yard line wins! |
| Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers). | | | | Coaching Tip: |
| This information is not meant to replace the | | | | - Make sure you widen the defender at least 2-4 |
| terminology or execution that may be taught by a High | | | | yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your route. This will |
| School, Junior High, or Pop Warner coach. However, | | | | create separation from you and the Middle Linebacker |
| every single pass receiving route taught today on the | | | | and give you an opportunity to catch the ball between |
| amateur and professional level is derived from the | | | | your man and the Free Safety. You will usually catch |
| same basic concepts. Therefore, I encourage you to | | | | the ball 10-17 yards down-field. |
| implement these techniques because they will greatly | | | | Middle Cross/Flanker Drive (Middle Closed) - In some |
| enhance your route running ability. | | | | instances when a Tight Runs a Middle Cross the |
| Passing Tree Routes | | | | Middle Linebacker will pick you up in coverage. Rather |
| Middle spot - Designed to be usually a 3rd read for the | | | | than trying to beat him across the field after your |
| Quarterback. The most important coaching tip for this | | | | break, run towards him a good 2-3 steps and turn |
| route is making sure you stop directly over the ball, 5-6 | | | | back the direction you came an run an out route. An |
| yards deep. Do not drift or slide until you make contact | | | | unstoppable play if read correctly by the receiver and |
| with the QB. | | | | QB. |
| Drag - This is West Coast Offense terminology for a | | | | Skinny Post - This play works magic against a cover |
| route ran into the flat. A big mistake young players and | | | | 2. This play is run when the Safeties are jumping the |
| even coaches make in utilizing this route, is that they | | | | Flag route. |
| bow or round the route. This only makes the Tight End | | | | Coaching Tips: |
| easier to defend. The key coaching tip on this route is | | | | - Make sure you widen the defender at least 2-4 |
| to pick a point on the near sideline about 3-5 yards | | | | yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your route. This will |
| past the line of scrimmage, and then run as straight as | | | | create separation from you and the Strong Side |
| you can to that point. | | | | Linebacker, leaving room to run the Post. |
| Stick - A simple 5 yard out. This route can be run | | | | - At 10 to 12 yards pas the line of scrimmage, take 1-2 |
| various ways depending on coverage, but in this case | | | | steps like you are running a Flag, then cut, plant, break |
| you will practice this route if you are in man coverage. | | | | with your outside foot and run a Post. DO NOT RUN |
| Coaching tips: | | | | TOWARD THE SAFETY, he will light you up if you |
| - Get a good release off the ball | | | | catch the ball. After your cut, stay in the inside shoulder |
| - At 4-6 yards past the line of scrimmage stick, plant | | | | of the defender. |
| and break the route with your inside foot and then run | | | | In some cases you may feel like you are running a |
| away from the defender slightly downhill. You should | | | | Seam if the safeties are tight together. |
| expect to catch the ball 3-4 yards deep. | | | | China - This route is designed to take advantage of |
| Middle Cross/Flanker Drive - Another name for a 10-12 | | | | Linebackers that jump the Drag route. The mechanics |
| yard "in" route. | | | | of this route are the same as the Drag, but after 3-4 |
| Coaching Tip: | | | | steps into the Drag, stop and comeback to the QB. Do |
| - Make the first 10 yards look like you are on a Go or | | | | not reverse pivot or spin out of the route. You simply |
| Seam route. At 10-12 yards fake an outside break, | | | | just have step, plant, and cut. |
| then plant, break, and cut with your outside foot. Once | | | | Deep Middle - This route is designed to take |
| you hit your break, run slightly downhill. You should | | | | advantage of the Middle Linebacker in the Tampa |
| expect to catch the ball 8-10 yards deep. | | | | Cover 2. |
| Option/Hook - This route is designed to take | | | | Coaching Tips: |
| advantage of the leverage a defender will give you. If | | | | - For the first 5-6 steps make this route look like a |
| he is playing out side you will break inside. If the | | | | Shallow Cross. |
| defender is playing you with inside leverage, you will | | | | - Once you get to where the play side Offensive |
| break the route outside. | | | | Guard would be then break your route up field, and |
| Coaching Tip: | | | | then sit and break your route at 10-12 yards directly |
| - Make sure you widen the defender at least 2-4 | | | | over the ball. |
| yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your route. This will | | | | Seattle - This is West Coast Version of the Flag route. |
| create separation and give the defender an | | | | The only difference is the angle after the break. In a |
| opportunity to commit inside or outside leverage. | | | | Flag the Tight End will try to keep the route high |
| Deep Dig - The West Coast Offense uses this route | | | | towards the back corner pylon in the end zone. The |
| in 3rd and long situations. The route is ran similar to the | | | | Seattle route however, is run flatter after the break to |
| Option/Hook but at 13-15 yards past the line of | | | | try to get under the Safety. In some cases, the route |
| scrimmage. Like the Option/Hook route, you must get | | | | can almost look like a 10 yard out route. |
| width in your initial 5 yards to widen the defender. | | | | Flag - Designed to expose Man or Cover 2 coverage. |
| Shallow Cross- An underneath route designed to take | | | | Coaching Tips: |
| advantage of Linebackers and 1 on 1 coverage. Make | | | | - Make your break at 10-12 yards. Do not break your |
| sure you get a good release off the line of scrimmage. | | | | route too early. Make the defender think you going on |
| Initially angle your route until you get to 4 yards deep, | | | | a "Go" route for a touchdown, then break into a flag... |
| at that point give a little head fake like you are going to | | | | - On your break, cut with your outside foot, take two |
| go up field, then break your route across the field. You | | | | steps like you are running a Post, then break it back |
| will most likely expect to catch the ball where the | | | | into a flag with your inside foot. After the break run |
| opposite tackle will be. | | | | towards the back corner pylon. Stay "skinny" and up |
| Seam/Go - The foundation of all pass routes. The key | | | | field. |