TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Philosophy
1. Teaching Page WR-3

2. Mind Set Page WR-4

II. Position Fundamentals

1. Stance Page WR-7

2. Release Page WR-8

3. Escape Page WR-10

III. Receiving Principles

1. Chalk Line Page WR-11

IV. Ball Handling Drills

1. Catching Page WR-13

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 PHILOSOPHY
I. TEACHING
1. FOUNDATION
 TEACH FOUNDATION FROM THE GROUND UP
 DETAIL COACHING
 TRAINING HABIT (TURNING LEARNING INTO HABIT)

2. DEMAND
 DO IT EXACTLY RIGHT EVERY TIME
 EXPERT AT YOUR POSITION
 OWNERSHIP

II. OFFENSE
1. SYSTEM
 ASSURE THE PROCESS IS ALWAYS THE SAME
 PROGRESSION TEACHING (BUILDING BLOCKS)
 STARTING POINT
 BASE TEACHING
 VARIATION TEACHING
 LIMIT MEMORIZATION (CONCEPT TEACHING)

III. GOALS
1. POSITION/PLAYER
 STARTING POINT
 DEMONSTRATE PROGRESS
 WORD’S REFLECT ACTION’S
 ACTION’S REFLECT GOAL’S
 GOAL’S REFLECT PURPOSE
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 WIDE RECEIVERS
“MIND SET”
1. Toughness
A. Players ability and capability to handle a multitude of situations whether Physical,
Mental, or Emotional that relates to his professional and off field life. Examples
of Toughness:
1. Inner drive to practice hard everyday.
2. Block with purpose.
3. Play hard when you are not at your best.
4. Doing by example rather than by talk.
5. Not be affected by peer pressure when you know you are right in your
beliefs.
6. Maturity to separate personal life from professional life.
7. Enjoys the game and competes.
8. Sharing in the success of others.
9. Handling adversity without pointing a finger at someone else.

2. Route Running – The ability to define in detail all the specifics of a route. ‘The artist
who paints the perfect picture.’

3. Splits – Defining the proper pre-snap alignment that correlates with the route called.
When we talk about splits, the assumed initial starting point is with the ball in the
‘Middle of the Field’.

4. Blocking
A. Stalk
B. Crack
C. Push & Seal
D. Convoy or Cross Field

5. 10 Second Principle – Applies to receiver as he leaves the huddle prior to snap.

There can be no subjective input (being unsure), for if this occurs your role in the play
will fail – we fail.
A. Assignment
B. Split
C Motion (if any)
D Scan Coverage (Corner tech / Safety width)
E. Blocking Assignment (Force / No Force)
F. Route / Route Conversion
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 G. Route / Landmark
H. Hot Receiver / Corner Blitz / Scat

6. When another Receiver catches the ball, the rule is TURN and BLOCK the MAN
covering YOU.

7. As Run Blockers, we are important because:

A. 5 yard gains come from blocking at the line of scrimmage.
B. 40 yard gains come from Receivers blocking.
C As a run blocker, block your assignment. Don’t look back to see where the ball
carrier is.
D Be involved as a blocker. Everyone depends on everyone!!
E Cut (when applicable).

8. Scan – Wide Receivers seeing the Corner / Safety relationship to his side before the
snap.

9. Posture – A Receivers body as he goes up-field and gives no indication of which way
he will go. As we move up-field, avoid the following “INDICATORS”:

A. Running with your head down and then looking up as you prepare to cut.
B. Dropping your head and eyes as you prepare to cut.
C. Arms that fly out or drop when you cut.
D. Raising your head and shoulders as you prepare to cut.

10. Center of Gravity – Keeping the feet under the shoulders so not to overextend or lean
back and slip.

11. Distribution – A Receivers equal distance between two Zone defenders.

12. Soft Corner – A Corner who plays off and backs up.

13. Hard Corner – A Corner who plays up in your face.

14. Bail – A Corner who lines up in a press look then backs off as the ball is snapped.
Turns butt to sideline and looks at QB.

15. Disguise – A Secondary that shows one look prior to the snap and changes to another
looks as the ball is snapped.

16. Cloud – A Corner who plays a rotated Zone over an Outside Receiver in a 3 Deep look.
The Cloud Corner has Safety help behind him – 3 Cloud.

17. Sky – A Safety who inverts in a 3 Deep look – 3 Sky = to the strength, 3 Sky Weak =
away from the strength.

18. Squeeze – Applies to press. A Wide Receiver who is running a fade and gets vertical
ASAP – not getting forced wide.

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19. Landmark – A Receiver up-field route depth usually attained as a pre-snap visual. A
big part of your play.

20. If you can’t catch it, don’t let them catch it! Knock the ball down! Do not be
passive and watch!!!!!

21. Revert – A technique used by a Corner in press coverage. Corner overplays a Wide
Receiver release.

22. Technique – The art of doing one’s job to perfection.

23. Never mistake practice activity to achievement. Achievement happens through detailed
repetition

24. Be able to take what you practice and learn. Take it to the game!!

25. When we have a 1 on 1 situation in the passing game, you have to possess the tools,
techniques, and skills to beat your opponent!

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 STANCE
I. LOWER BODY
1. FEET
 GRAB THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE (BLADE OF GRASS)
 INSIDE FOOT UP (STARTING POINT)
 TOES POINTING STRAIGHT UP THE FIELD
 BACK TOES UNDER THE NEAR HIP (6 INCH SPACING)
 WEIGHT ON THE INSIDE HALF OF THE FOOT (BALL)
 BACK HEEL SLIGHTLY OFF THE GROUND (2/4 INCHES
OFF THE GROUND)

2. KNEES
 FRONT KNEE OVER THE FRONT TOE
 SLIGHT BEND IN BACK KNEE (HEEL LIFT)

II. UPPER BODY

1. SHOULDERS
 SQUARE TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
 OVER THE FRONT KNEE

2. ARMS/HANDS
 RELAXED AT YOUR SIDES (SLIGHT BEND)
 READY TO FIRE

3. HEAD
 CHIN UP
 EYE’S INSIDE (HARD FOCUS BALL/SOFT FOCUS
COVERAGE)

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 FREE ACCESS RELEASE
I. LOWER BODY
1. FEET
 STRAIGHT RELEASE = ROLL OFF THE FRONT FOOT!
 ANGLE RELEASE
 INSIDE RELEASE = INSIDE FOOT
 OUTSIDE RELEASE = OUTSIDE FOOT
 NEVER CROSS YOUR MIDLINE
 NO FALSE STEPS (NOT A LOT OF WEIGHT
MOVEMENT)

2. KNEES
 BACK KNEE STAYS IN FRONT OF THE BACK TOE
(SHORT STEP)
 MAINTAIN KNEE BEND (COME OFF AND CLIMB)

II. UPPER BODY

1. SHOULDERS
 SQUARE TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
 OVER THE FRONT TOE

2. ARMS/HANDS
 EXPLOSIVE ARM ACTION
 ELBOW BEND
 HANDS STAY RELAXED

3. HEAD
 CHIN UP
 EYE’S UP
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 PRESS RELEASE
I. LOWER BODY
1. FEET
 ATTACK DEFENDERS TECHNIQUE WITH NEAR FOOT
 KEEP YOUR FEET UNDER YOU
 MUST ATTACK THE DEFENDER UP THE FIELD (DON’T
WASTE TIME AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE)

2. FOOTWORK
 1 STEP
 STEP AN A HALF (QUICK 1-2)
 STRETCH (3 STEPS OR 3 STEP WITH A STEP AN A
HALF)

3. HIPS
 NEAR HIP ON TOP OF DEFENDERS NEAR HIP (UP
FIELD)
 CLOSE THE DOOR

II. UPPER BODY

1. ARMS/HANDS
 HANDS UP
 BE PHYSICAL
 FINISH

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 ESCAPES
I. RIP
 ATTACK THE UPPER PART OF THE INSIDE/OUTSIDE
ARM RIGHT UNDER THE SHOULDER PAD
 HIPS ARE LOW (LEVERAGE POSITION)
 RIP NEAR ARM THOUGH THE NEAR ARM PIT
 FEET ARE UNDER YOU (SAME FOOT SAME ARM)
 FINISH UP THE FIELD (HIP LOCK)

II. CHOP
 ATTACK THE UPPER PART OF THE INSIDE/OUTSIDE
ARM RIGHT UNDER THE ELBOW
 CHOP THE NEAR FOREARM WITH YOUR NEAR HAND
 SHORT POWERFUL STROKE (MAY NEED TO REPEAT)
 FEET ARE UNDER YOU
 FINISH UP THE FIELD (HIP LOCK)

III. SWIM
 ATTACK THE UPPER PART OF THE INSIDE/OUTSIDE
ARM RIGHT ABOVE THE ELBOW
 COLLAPSE THE NEAR FOREARM WITH YOUR NEAR
HAND
 PUNCH FAR ARM THROUGH THE DEFENDER AND
DRIVE THE ELBOW BACK
 FEET ARE UNDER YOU
 FINISH UP THE FIELD (HIP LOCK)

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 PASS RECEIVING PRINCIPLES
1. Keep your eyes on the ball. Your responsibility is to CATCH THE BALL. AFTER you make
the catch, think about additional yardage and scoring.

2. When we are on offense and the ball is thrown, it is NOT a “free” ball – it is OURS – GO
“STRONG TO THE BALL”!

3. Whenever possible, catch the ball in your hands – not against your chest.

4. Concentration is the key, stare a hole through the ball.

5. In practice, after you catch the ball, tuck it away securely and SPRINT at least 15 yards.

6. When you warm-up, don’t just jog around. Run in spurts, change of pace, weaves, cuts, stutter
steps, etc. Start from your stance. Use head fakes to release from imaginary linebackers.

7. Always run your pattern at full, controlled speed. We cannot get the correct timing at half
speed.

8. Pass receivers are made – not born. They are made by practice day after day until all of your
moves and receiving become second nature. Whenever possible, have a ball in your hands.
Play catch with your partner. Never let the ball become a stranger to you.

9. Always be alert for the ball, even though you are not the primary receiver. You never know
when the QB will throw to you! Do not loaf because you think the pass is going to someone
else. Carry out your assignment at full speed on every play. This is an easy way to tell the
difference between the “good ones” and the “great ones”.

10. Concentrate at all times on what you are going to do – why and how you are going to do it.
Keep in mind the object of the pass and what your part of it is. Know the complete picture –
not just part of the play. (Have a plan)

11. Talk to the QB when you have a chance, (not in the huddle). Tell your coaches what you can
do – your best bet for 3rd down passes, 3rd and 7 to 10 yards – your best long pattern.

12. Learn the tendencies of the defensive back; if they gamble, guess with you, play tight or loose,
inside or out, their speed. Have a “book” on all of your opponents. Be an artist in your
profession. Know the defensive team tendencies how they cover first down, second, third,
short and long yardage, etc.

13. Always know field position (sideline), time remaining, down and distance, sun position, wind
conditions, lights, condition of field (high or low spots).
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14. The sidelines and end zone lines are our enemies. Always know your relative position to them.
Respect them, but do not let them bother you in catching the ball – the catch comes first. The
officials will never call you “in bounds” if you drop the ball.

15. Our receivers are football players – not just pass catchers. WE WILL BLOCK!!!

16. Whether you become a good receiver depends directly upon the amount of EXTRA work you
do.

17. Work on receiving the bad pass. Make the spectacular catch become routine.

18. Develop confidence in your ability to catch the ball. Believe in yourself!!!

19. When challenged for a ball be aggressive – it’s yours! Come down with it.

20. If the ball is not thrown to you, be a blocker.

21. Develop the attitude that you can catch anything you can touch.

22. Catch the ball its highest point.

23. Look for the ball immediately on pass cut.

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BALL HANDLING DRILLS

Cushioning the Ball

The hands must cushion the ball for every type of catch. Passes to the body or even wobbly passes can
best be caught with the hands in the proper position. The grip is firm and tacky, not rigid. A receiver
can quickly develop this firm, tacky grip by seeing and feeling hand catches in warm-up. As the ball
meets his hands he will need only to switch his concentration to the feel of the reception the hands will
adjust naturally to provide the proper cushion.

Building a Back-UP
Whenever possible a pocket should be formed to provide a back-up for the hands.
For example, whenever going to the ground for a thumbs out catch, the elbows should be brought close
together so that if he misses it with his hands, he will have it trapped between his arms and trunk.

Hand Position
If the shoulders are turned toward the ball and the ball is armpit level or above, the thumbs should be
turned in when making a catch. When the ball is below this level or the shoulders are turned away
from the ball, the thumbs should be turned out for this catch. In the gray areas between these catches
the receiver will find what is most natural for him through repetition.

Relaxed Smooth Movements

The shoulder, arms and hands must be relaxed and divorced from running action to allow the hands to
adjust smoothly to the ball in the proper catching position. One of the very best ways to develop
relaxation is to first feel tightness. The receiver can direct his attention at his tightness and clearly feel
the strain. Next, he will simply let the tension go as he continues his drill work.

Secure the Ball

He must secure the ball the instant it is caught. The fingers are spread over the front with its tip locked
between the index and middle fingers. By pulling the ball up and back to the rib cage he’ll secure as
much of it as possible. The elbow is pressed inward to lock in the rear of the football. Whenever
possible he should secure the ball on the side away from a potential tackler. For example, he will snap
the ball away in the outside arm after running a bend rout.

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