The Slot receiver is an important cog in the blocking wheel of an offense. This type of receiver must stretch defenses vertically and have good hands. This position also requires a great deal of awareness of the field. As such, they need to practice getting on the same page with their quarterbacks. Here are some tips to become a better Slot receiver.
Slot receivers need to be elusive
A slot receiver must be able to make the most of their opportunities to separate from his defender. The slot receiver’s routes are shorter than other receiver positions, and he can break from either side to gain separation. This requires deception, patience, and an understanding of the coverages. In addition, slot receivers must learn to use change of speed and angles to take advantage of space.
The slot receiver’s success often comes from his ability to exploit holes in zone coverage. This ability has little to do with his physical skills, but rather with his knowledge of coverages. He was consistently able to find and exploit weak spots in the Rams’ coverage. He was also in a position to benefit from the play calling and quarterback decisions that positioned him in advantageous positions.
They need to be able to stretch the defense vertically
Off pure speed, the Slot should be able to stretch the defense vertically. In addition, he should be able to run multiple routes simultaneously. Spreading the defense is an important skill in football and hockey, as it allows receivers to stretch the defense on multiple levels. The Slot should be able to run a choice route or a basic deep option route, leaving defenders in a tight spot.
The Slot position also allows the quarterback to spread the defense, as the wide receivers line up closer to the offensive line. A slot must have good chemistry with the quarterback to be effective. Slots are smaller receivers than wide receivers, which makes them excellent for quick routes in the middle of the field.