Wide Receiver Releases

How a receiver releases from the line of scrimmage will tell you a lot about the type of play and the route he is running against man coverage. Pay attention to the details and your PBU (Pass Break Up) ratio will rise.

I urge my Defensive Backs to remember these points and review with their personal notes from film work as they prepare for each opponent. 

I want them to see how each release corresponds with different routes receivers run. 

Certain releases are used with certain routes, and the release a wide receiver uses most times will indicate what's coming next.

Generally speaking, whichever side the wide receiver releases to is the direction of the break! 

For example, an outside release usually leads to an outside break, while an inside release usually is an inside break. Basically, the more you know, the better you will be.

Wide Receiver Releases

One fake and release

The most common release move by a wide receiver is to fake one direction and release in the other direction. It is a quick, one step move, and when done correctly, the receiver will get off the LOS quickly. Generally speaking, whichever side he releases to is the direction of the break: outside releases equal outside breaks, inside releases equal inside breaks.

Two fakes and release (double move at the LOS)

On this release the receiver takes two fakes and then releases. It can be an effective move, but it takes more time to get off the LOS. The slide step technique we teach puts us in a great position to handle double moves because it allows the DB to be patient, and prevents him from lunging and getting out of position.

Bull rush release

This release does not involve a move at the LOS, but rather the receiver simply runs right into the DB and tries to use his size or strength to separate from the defender. This is a popular release technique with big, physical receivers and with slower receivers who cannot shake a defender on the LOS. The best way to handle this release is for the DB to give ground and to stay on his toes. If the DB maintains good balance and athleticism during the bull rush phase, he will stay off his heels and he will be able to make a quick, agile break.

Stutter step 

This release is a hesitation technique used by a receiver at the LOS to determine how the DB is going to play him, and to take advantage of an over aggressive, lunging defender. The receiver chops/stutters his feet at the LOS, reads the DB's technique, and once the DB is out of position, the receiver makes his move and clears the line.

No fake, hard, outside release 

This release generally indicates one of two things. The first is that the receiver wants to get off the LOS quickly because he is trying to run a fade or a go route. Many receivers will take a narrower split to give themselves more room to work with when running either of these routes. A good DB will notice that change immediately. When a DB gets this type of wide, flat release, he should work to cut off the receiver’s path and then run the route himself. The second reason the receiver will use this release is to run the DB off in man coverage on a running play.

No fake, hard, inside release 

With this type of release receivers will often cut their splits down, and could even end up in a nasty split. On passing plays the receiver may be running a crossing route, and must get across the field quickly. A hard, inside release can also be used on running plays when the receiver is responsible for blocking inside on a high safety, or when he is responsible for crack block on a low safety. A hard, inside release used with a wide or normal split could also indicate that a jailbreak screen or another type of receiver screen is coming.

Defending Specific Routes in Man Coverage

Bump and run coverage limits the types of routes you see. When the offense knows the defense is blitzing, it will use the three-step quick passing game or check to “Hot” routes. This still means quick routes. 

In this situation there are three patterns we expect as a blitz check or hot route: slant, go/fade, or out. In the 3-step passing game timing is crucial and the ball will be out in a hurry. The ball must be delivered on time and delivered through a very small window. 

When playing against a blitzing defense the QB usually knows ahead of time where he is going to throw the ball, usually to his stud receiver. The QB expects the receiver to get off the LOS, separate from the DB, and be in position for the catch when he is ready to throw the ball.

Against teams that use maximum protection the toughest patterns to cover in bump and run coverage are the post and post-corner. Both routes involve sustained coverage, enables a receiver to use half the field, and the quarterback is able to throw to an open area on the field.

This is how I teach my defensive backs to play the five routes we expect to see most often against our bump and run coverage:

Slant

Check the receiver’s alignment. Generally a receiver will take a wider alignment when running an inside route because it gives him more room to work. Check his eyes. Many receivers will unknowingly look to their break point/catch area as they line up. You should get some help on the slant from the defensive line and blitzers; they should get their hands up and prevent the QB from throwing a low, frozen-rope; the type of pass that is impossible to defend.

At the snap, expect a quick outside fake, then the route. Slide step and react accordingly. As the receiver begins the actual stem of his route, beat him to the spot - beat him to the ball, intercept and score! Beat him to the spot - do not go through the receiver. 

If you beat the receiver to the spot, the route is over and the offense is in trouble. The quarterback will not have the time, or the desire to re­load, so he will either throw a poor pass, one that can be intercepted, or he will have to eat the ball and take a sack.

If you are unable to beat the receiver to the spot, should squeeze the receiver’s upfield shoulder. You want to be in position to peel the receiver’s upfield arm/hand away as soon as he makes contact with the ball. This will also keep the DB in excellent position to make the tackle and limit the RAC (run after contact) should the pass be completed. 

Attacking the upfield shoulder gives you a chance for a collision and to break up the pass. Playing the upfield shoulder also forces the QB to throw the ball to the receiver’s back hip, which is a tough catch. We want the receiver to catch and/or secure the football with his wrong arm/back arm. If the receiver makes that catch, get him on the ground and live to fight another day.

Avoid undercutting the slant! Do not undercut the slant unless the ball is thrown late, and you can get both hands on the ball. It is nearly impossible to undercut a well-timed slant route. You can expect an 80-85% failure rate, so the risk-reward ratio is not good. Only bad things happen when you try to undercut and fail. For starters it is much easier for the receiver to catch the ball with his dominant/upfield hand. 

Secondly, the DB is in no position to break up the pass because he cannot get to the receivers hands/body. 

Third, there will be no collision or physicality, because you are not in position to make a good/sure tackle, which means the receiver is headed to the house and you are underneath him. So, with that said, do not undercut the slant!

Go/fade 

For the offense, timing and accuracy are crucial but not nearly as crucial as with the slant/out routes. This is a route for the receiver to shine and to show his skills. The go/fade is an easy pass for the quarterback to throw and the risk to the offense is minimal (risk reward is high). Quarterback’s are taught to elevate the ball and throw to a spot over the receiver's outside shoulder so the receiver can use his body to screen off the defensive back and use his athleticism to catch the ball.

Check the receiver’s eyes. Many receivers will unknowingly look to their break point/catch area when they line up. Check the receiver's alignment. Generally a receiver will align inside the numbers and closer to the formation when running an outside, vertical route. The tighter alignment gives the quarterback more room to work with, a greater margin for error. These balls are almost always caught outside the numbers and close to the sideline.

Expect two types of releases with this route: one fake-then release or no fake at all as he tries to get vertical right away by taking a hard, flat, outside release. Slide step and react accordingly. As the receiver begins the actual stem of his route, you want to keep your upfield and inside leverage. Once you recognize the vertical stem run the route for the receiver and beat him to the ball. Maintain upfield leverage and don’t play this route from the receiver’s back hip. 

As you run with the receiver squeeze him to the boundary, not with your hands, but with your body position. Cut the receiver off, run the receiver out of bounds and restrict the area he has to catch the ball. If he makes a toe-tapper catch, so be it. There is no RAC with a toe-tapper, as long as you maintain upfield leverage on the receiver, you can play the ball. We want you to play the ball. We want you to take the ball. We want you to make a play.

If the receiver does separate from you, do not panic and do not look back at the quarterback. Keep running and scan the receiver from head to toe. If you don’t look back and keep running, you will close the gap between you and the receiver.

 
Look for tips and clues that the ball is coming. Read the eyes. Some receivers tip off the ball with their eyes and/or facial expressions. When you see the receiver's eyes light up, continue running and wait for the hands. Once the receiver puts his hands up, you know the ball is close. Run through the receiver’s hands. Put your hands on his hands, because that's where the ball is going to be. Get your hands into the mix and rip the ball, or his hands out.

A common tactic used by offenses today is the back shoulder/underthrown vertical route. Whether this strategy has come about by accident or by design, its effectiveness cannot be denied and you must be prepared to handle this situation. Scan the receiver from head to toe as you run. 

Look for two things on the underthrown ball: hips drop as the receiver slows down for the ball and the back shoulder opens to accept the ball. You must be athletic and agile enough to gather yourself to match the receiver’s movements, and play the underthrown ball. You will get there, so once you have gathered yourself shoot the hands and play the ball normally.

Out

Check the receiver’s alignment. Generally a receiver will take a tighter alignment when running an out route. The tighter alignment gives him more room to work, and room to make the catch and turn upfield. Check his eyes. A lot of receivers will unknowingly look to their break point/catch area when they line up.

The 3-step out route is all about depth and timing. Anything you can do to disrupt either of those two things will make the out route easier to defend. You may get some help from an outside blitzer or a defensive end that is able to get his hands up and tip the ball, but don’t count on it.

As the play begins, expect a quick inside fake, then the route. Slide step and react accordingly. As the receiver begins his route stem, keep upfield leverage on him. When running a 3-step out route the receiver will most likely use a speed cut, meaning he will not slow down and plant off his outside foot, but rather he will try to maintain his speed and actually roll over his inside foot. This leads to a more rounded, but faster break. The receiver wants to get open off the break and is counting on you to be sloppy and non-reactive.

 
You cannot allow the receiver to get open because of poor or sloppy technique. If you maintain good position on the receiver, and have the route covered, the quarterback will not have time to re-load, so he will either throw a poor pass that you can intercept, throw an uncatchable pass, or have to eat the ball and take a sack.

Once the ball is in the air, beat the receiver to the spot and take the ball. If you are unable to beat the receiver to the spot, you want to squeeze his upfield shoulder and body-up on him. As the receiver's hands go up to catch the ball, you want to peel his upfield arm/hand away. This technique will also keep you in excellent position to make the tackle and limit the RAC. 

Attacking the upfield shoulder gives you a chance for a collision and possible pass breakup. Playing the upfield shoulder will force the quarterback to throw a perfect ball. We want the receiver to catch and/or secure the football with his wrong arm/back arm. If he can make that catch, off his back hip, get him on the ground and live to fight another day.

Avoid undercutting the out route; especially don’t undercut the “out” route before the ball is thrown to prevent getting beat by the out and up or wheel route. Those are touchdown routes. We want you to be aggressive, but do not undercut the receiver unless the ball is thrown late or hangs in the air. You must be able to get your hands on the ball and then take it to the house. You can expect an 80-85% failure rate when trying to undercut the out. It is nearly impossible to undercut a well-timed out route and the risk-reward ratio is not good. 

Only bad things happen when you try to undercut and then fail. For starters, it is easier for the receiver to catch the ball with his dominant/upfield hand. When you undercut and miss, you are in no position for a pass breakup because you cannot get to his hands/body. There will be no collision or physicality, because you are not in position to make a good/sure tackle. Lastly, when you undercut and miss, the receiver is headed to the house and you are underneath him watching. You do not want to play this route from the back hip. Stay on top of the receiver and keep the route under you. Do not undercut the 3-step out route.

Post

The post is not a blitz check or a hot route, but is instead designed and intended to put a knife in the heart of the defense. The post route is a relatively easy route to run and probably the easiest throw for a quarterback to make. On the flip side, the post is the toughest route for a cornerback in man coverage. The post route enables the receiver to use half the field, and all the quarterback has to do is throw to the open area in the middle of the field.

Check the receiver’s alignment. If he expects man coverage, he will probably take a "normal" split when running a post. If he expects zone coverage, his alignment will probably be a little wider. Depending on the coverage, there are two types of post routes the receiver can run. 

Against cover 3, expect a skinny post. This route keeps the receiver out of the middle of the field and away from the free safety. When facing man coverage, receivers are taught to run away from the DB. So, when running a post route against man coverage, expect the receiver to work vertically, but also expect him to run across the field and away from you. Ultimately the receiver will adjust his route to the flight path of the football.

When you are in man coverage there is no one on the other side and the quarterback has a lot of room to work with. In man coverage you are on your own. It's you, the receiver, and the ball and any help you get will be late and usually come from our pass rush. Because of the depth of this route, and the distance it covers, the post is slow developing and is often times used with play-action and/or maximum protection to provide the quarterback the extra time he needs to throw the ball down the field.

Check the receiver’s eyes. Many receivers will unknowingly look to their break point/catch areas as they line up. Because his speed off the LOS is not crucial, like in the 3-step game, you can expect a variety of releases when the receiver runs a post route. Slide step and react accordingly. 

As the receiver begins the vertical stem of his route, you must work hard to maintain your upfield leverage and disrupt the receiver's progress. You cannot play the post from the trail position or the receiver’s back hip because it will be a touchdown. As long as you maintain upfield leverage on the receiver, you can also play the ball. We want you to play the ball and make a play.

When throwing the post, the quarterback is going to put the ball out there and expect the receiver to go and get it. The ball is going to be up for grabs so the question is: who wants it more? If the receiver gets inside you, that's okay. Just maintain your leverage and stay between the receiver and the goal line. Once the receiver takes his third step to the post, the threat of the post-corner is over. Get on top and ride him hard. If the receiver is inside you, squeeze him down and flatten him out and force his route to go east-west, not north-south.

Do not allow the receiver to get a strong vertical push. Force the quarterback to “sight adjust” and throw a flatter pass. If the receiver does make the catch, there can be no RAC. Squeeze his upfield shoulder. We want you in position to peel his upfield arm/hand off the ball. 

This will also keep you in excellent position to make the tackle and limit the RAC should the receiver catch the ball. Attacking the upfield shoulder also gives you the chance for a collision and a pass breakup. Playing through the upfield shoulder will force the receiver to catch and/or secure the football with his wrong-arm/back-arm. If he can make that catch, get him on the ground and live to fight another day.

If the receiver separates from you, do not panic and most importantly, do not look back at the quarterback. Put your head down and run. As you are running, scan the receiver from head to toe, don't look back and you will make up ground. Look for tips and clues that the ball is coming. Read the receiver’s eyes. Some receivers tip off the ball with their eyes and/or facial expressions. 

If you see the receiver's eyes light up, you know the ball is close. Keep running through the receiver’s hands. Put your hands on his hands, that's where the ball is going to be. Get your hands into the mix and rip the ball and/or the receiver's hands out. Many times when a receiver has separated from the DB and is wide open, the quarterback will subconsciously short-arm the ball to prevent the overthrow and to guarantee that the receiver has an opportunity to make the catch. You must be prepared to handle this situation. 

You must continue to scan the receiver from head to toe as you run. Look for two things on the underthrown ball: hips drop as the receiver slows for the ball and the back shoulder opens to accept the ball. You must be athletic and agile enough to gather yourself, to match the receiver's movements and to play the underthrown ball. You will close the gap and get there, so don’t be surprised when you do. Gather yourself, shoot the hands, and play the ball normally.

Avoid undercutting the post. Do not undercut the receiver unless the pass is under-thrown and you can get your hands on the ball. We do not undercut the post because as soon as the quarterback sees you underneath the receiver he is going to throw the ball over your head, and as soon as the receiver feels you underneath him, he is going to drift deep and away from you. You can expect a 90-95% failure rate when you try to undercut the post too early - and it's going to be a touchdown. The risk-reward ratio is not good. 

Only bad things happen when you try to undercut and fail. For starters, it will probably end up being a touchdown. It is also much easier for the receiver to catch the ball when he can use his dominant/upfield hand. When you undercut and miss, you are in no position for a pass breakup because you cannot get to the receiver’s hands or body. When you undercut and miss, there will be no collision or physicality, because you will not be in position to make the tackle. When you undercut and miss, the receiver is headed to the house, because the ball is over your head. So, with that said; do not undercut the post.

Post-corner 

The post-corner is not a blitz check or a hot route. The post-corner in not an easy throw for the quarterback, but it is a route that he can throw to an open area of the field outside the numbers. The post-corner is a tough route for a cornerback in man coverage because it involves sustained coverage and a double move off the toughest route to cover - the post. The post-corner enables the receiver to use half the field and the QB is able to throw to an open area of the field on top of, or just outside the numbers.

Check the receiver’s alignment. Most of the time a receiver will take a normal split when running a post-corner. Because of the double move, he will push inside, then break outside. The post-corner is a complimentary route to the post. The two routes go hand in hand. The corner route enables the QB to throw to an unprotected area of the field, where only his guy can make the catch. The receiver is expected to do the work and get to the ball. Because of the depth of this route and the distance it covers, the corner route is slow developing and is used with play-action and/or maximum protection.

In man coverage you are on your own. It's you, the receiver, and the ball. Any help you get will be late from our pass rush. You should expect a variety of release with the post-corner route because the receiver’s speed off the LOS is not as big a factor as it is with the 3-step passing game. Slide step and react accordingly. As the receiver begins the vertical stem of his route, you must work hard to maintain your upfield leverage and disrupt the receiver's progress. You cannot play the post-corner from the trail position or the receiver’s back hip. If you do, it will be a big play for the offense. As long as you maintain upfield leverage on the receiver, you can also play the ball and make a play.

Check his eyes. A lot of receivers will unknowingly look to their break point/catch areas as they line up. When throwing the post-corner, the QB is going to put the ball out there and expect the receiver to go and get it. So, the ball is going to be up for grabs. The question is: who wants it more? If the receiver gets inside you, that's okay, just maintain your leverage and stay between the receiver and the goal line. Get on top and ride the receiver hard, squeeze him down and flatten him out, and force his route to go east-west, not north-south.

Do not allow the receiver get a strong vertical push. Play this route like a post and react to the corner route. If you are on top of the receiver he should make his break flat and away from you, more like an out route. If you are underneath the receiver and trailing at the break point, the receiver should make his break deeper, more vertical and away from your coverage. We want to force the QB to sight adjust and throw his pass based on your coverage position. You want to be on top of the receiver and force the throw underneath. Squeeze the receiver's upfield shoulder, just like on a post route. 

You must be able to react as soon as the receiver makes his break. Your COD will depend on the angle of the receiver's break. If the receiver breaks underneath you, stick your upfield foot, flip your hips and execute a backdoor break. Do not turn your back to the receiver because that creates separation and takes you away from the receiver and the ball.

If the receiver’s break is vertical and up the field, flip your head over your opposite shoulder, speed turn and find his upfield shoulder. Expect the ball to be thrown almost immediately after the break. Find the receiver’s upfield shoulder so you will be in position to peel his upfield arm/hand off the ball. This will also keep you in excellent position to make the tackle and limit the RAC should the receiver catch the ball. Attacking the upfield shoulder gives you a chance for a collision and a pass breakup. 

Playing through the upfield shoulder will force the receiver to catch and/or secure the football with his back arm/wrong arm. If he can make that catch, get him on the ground and live to fight another day.

If the receiver separates from you, don’t panic and do not look back at the QB. Put your head down and run. As you are running, scan the receiver from head to toe; don't look back and you will make up the ground. Look for tips and clues that the ball is coming. Read the receiver’s eyes. Some receivers tip off the ball with their eyes and/or facial expressions and some don't. If you see the receiver's eyes light up, you know the ball is close. Keep running through the receiver’s hands. Put your hands on his hands; that is where the ball is going to be. Get your hands into the mix and rip the ball and/or the receiver's hands out.

 
Many times when a receiver has separated from the DB and is wide open, the QB will unconsciously short-arm the ball to prevent the overthrow and to guarantee that the receiver has an opportunity to catch the ball. You must be prepared to handle this situation. Look for 2 things on the underthrown ball: the receiver’s hips drop as he slows down for the ball and the back shoulder opens to accept the ball. You must be athletic and agile enough to gather yourself, to match the receiver's movements and to play the underthrown ball. You will close the gap and get there, so don’t be surprised when you do. Gather yourself, shoot the hands and play the ball normally.

Avoid undercutting the post-corner. Do not undercut unless the pass is underthrown or thrown flat, and you can get your hands on the ball. Do not undercut the 7-route because when the QB sees you underneath the receiver, he is going to throw the ball over your head.  Likewise, as soon as the receiver feels you underneath him, he is going to drift deeper and away from you.

You can expect a high failure rate when you try to undercut the post-corner too early. The risk-reward ratio is not good. Only bad things happen when you try to undercut and fail. If the offense completes this pass it will result in a huge play and probably a touchdown. It is easier for the receiver to catch the ball when you undercut because he can use his dominant hand. When you undercut and miss, you are in no position for a pass breakup, because you cannot get to his hands/body. When you undercut and miss, there will be no collision or physicality, because you will not be in position to make the tackle. When you undercut and miss, the receiver is going to be headed to the house because the ball was thrown over your head. So, with that said: do not undercut the post-corner route.

Have a Bad Day All Day!!!