Slot Receiver Qualifications and Skills
Slot receivers are a versatile and reliable receiving option for quarterbacks, especially on the run. They also provide a team with an extra blocker when running the ball outside of the line of scrimmage. In fact, they can be used on most passing plays to help stretch the field and attack all three levels of the defense.
Slot Receiver Qualifications and Skills
As a slot receiver, you should have excellent speed and strong hands to get open. They’re usually slightly shorter and smaller than outside wide receivers, so they need to have great route-running skills to make the most of their position. This makes them ideal for running deep, short, and intermediate routes that can open up space to the outside.
They’re also highly skilled when it comes to handling blocks, since they’ll line up a bit closer to the middle of the field than outside receivers do. This allows them to easily block nickelbacks, outside linebackers, and safeties, even on running plays designed to the inside part of the field.
In addition to catching the ball, slot receivers are often asked to carry it as well. This may be on pitch plays, reverses, or end-arounds. In these situations, they’ll be called into pre-snap motion by the quarterback, and then handed the ball after snapping it.
On these types of plays, slot receivers are known for their quickness, speed, and pre-snap motion. These skills enable them to get open quickly, and their speed helps them outrun the defenders.
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