Defensive Back: Route Recognition

Start with short pass routes. Covering wide receivers, these will be the slant, hitch, and quick out patterns. Covering tight ends, you'll need to recognize the look-in, short, and flat routes. 

Line up in your normal defensive position and stance. As the receiver starts off the line, enter your backward run. The moment you recognize the pattern, you should call out the name of the pattern and point to where the receiver should be catching the ball. Continue moving backward as you point out and call the pattern.

The point where you recognize the pattern being run in any zone is called the "Recognition Point." The spot where you point where the ball should be caught is the "Interception Point." To figure out the latter, you must understand where the receiver can first catch the ball. On any short or medium pattern coming to the inside of the field, the receiver will run at least six yards (ideally) from the recognition point before he can catch the pass. For a short or medium route headed toward the sideline, the receiver will cover at least eight yards from the recognition point before he can make a reception.

It will take intense concentration on the receiver to recognize the pattern as soon as possible and indicate the interception point correctly.

Once you're confident with short patterns, you should progress to medium and then deep routes. It's exceedingly important on deep routes that you try to keep a three-yard separation between you and the receiver.