These routes and names that are taught are in accordance with the West Coast offensive scheme (Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Bucanneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers). This information is not intended to replace the terminology or execution that a high school, high school, or Pop Warner coach may teach. However, every pass receiving route taught today at the amateur and professional level stems from the same basic concepts. Therefore, I encourage you to implement these techniques because they will greatly improve your ability to run routes.

Passing the paths of the trees

middle point – Designed to be generally a third reading for the quarterback. The most important training tip for this route is to make sure you stop directly over the ball, 5 or 6 yards deep. Don’t slip or slide until you make contact with the QB.

Drag – This is West Coast Offense terminology for a route that hits the floor. A big mistake young players and even coaches make when using this route is that they bow or go around the route. This just makes the Tight End easier to defend. The key coaching tip on this route is to pick a point on the near sideline about 3-5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, and then run as straight as you can to that point.

Stick – A single exit of 5 yards. This route can be executed in various ways depending on cover, but in this case you will practice this route if you are in man cover.

Training tips:

– Get a good throw of the ball

– 4-6 yards from the line of the scrimmage stick, plant and break the route with the inside foot and then run away from the defender slightly downhill. He should expect to catch the ball 3 or 4 yards deep.

Middle Cross / Flanker Drive – Another name for a 10- to 12-yard “driveway.”

Training tip:

– Make the first 10 yards look like you’re on a Go or Seam route. At 10-12 yards fake an outside cut, then plant, break and cut with the outside foot. Once you reach your break, run lightly downhill. You should expect to catch the ball as deep as 8 to 10 yards.

Option/Hook – This route is designed to take advantage of the influence that a defender will give you. If he is playing outside, you will break inside. If the defender is playing you with inside leverage, you will break the route on the outside.

Training tip:

– Make sure you spread the defender at least 2-4 yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your drive. This will create separation and give the defender the opportunity to exert internal or external influence.

Deep Dig – The West Coast offense uses this route in long and third situations. The route is executed similarly to the Option/Hook but 13-15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Like the Option/Hook route, you want to get wide in your opening 5 yards to widen the defender.

shallow cross– An underlay route designed to take advantage of linebackers and 1-on-1 coverage. Make sure you get a good shot from the line of scrimmage. Initially, angle your route until you get to 4 yards deep, at which point do a little feint as if you were going up the field, then split your route across the field. You will most likely expect to catch the ball where the opposite tackle will be.

Sewing/Go – The basis of all passage routes. The key is to beat the man in front of you. Get a good throw off the line of scrimmage and the first person to the 15-yard line wins!

Training tip:

– Make sure you spread the defender at least 2-4 yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your route. This will create a gap between you and the middle linebacker and give you an opportunity to catch the ball between your man and the Free Safety. Typically, you’ll catch the ball 10 to 17 yards downfield.

Center Snap/Flank Drive (Closed Snap): In some cases, when a Tight runs a center snap, the middle linebacker will pick it up in coverage. Instead of trying to beat him across the field after your break, run to him a good 2-3 steps and head back the way you came and run the exit route. An unstoppable play if read correctly by the receiver and QB.

skinny pole – This play does magic against a 2 deck. This play is executed when the Safeties are jumping the Flag route.

Training tip:

– Make sure you spread the defender at least 2-4 yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your drive. This will create a gap between you and the strong linebacker, leaving room to execute the Post.

– At 10 or 12 yards, pass the line of scrimmage, take 1 or 2 steps as if running a flag, then cut, plant, break with the outside foot and run a post. DO NOT RUN TO SAFETY, he will light you up if you catch the ball. After your cut, stay on the inside shoulder of the defender.

In some cases, it can feel like you’re running a Seam if the security devices are close together.

China: This route is designed to take advantage of linebackers skipping the drag route. The mechanics of this route are the same as the Drag, but after 3 or 4 steps on the Drag, stop and go back to the QB. Do not back up or drive off the road. You simply have to step, plant and cut.

deep-medium – This route is designed to take advantage of the Middle Linebacker in Tampa Cover 2.

Training tips:

– For the first 5-6 steps, make this path look like a shallow cross.

– Once you get to where the playing side offensive guard would be, split your route downfield, and then sit down and split your route 10-12 yards directly over the ball.

Seattle – This is the West Coast version of the Flag route. The only difference is the angle after the break. On a flag, the tight end will try to keep the route high to the back corner pylon in the end zone. However, Seattle’s route flattens out after the break to try to get under Safety. In some cases, the route can almost seem like a 10-yard route.

Flag – Designed to expose Cover Man or Cover 2.

Training tips:

– Make your break at 10-12 yards. Don’t break your route too soon. Make the defender think you’re going on a “Go” route for a touchdown, then break into a flag…

– On your break, cut with your outside foot, take two steps as if running a Pole, then break it back into a flag with your inside foot. After the break, run to the back corner pylon. Stay “skinny” and in the field.