Short Routes

For ANY passing attack to be successful, the wide receivers must be able to execute the short game.

The benefits of the short passing game are that it can:

1. Quickly move the ball
2. Neutralize the blitz
3. Allow the QB to pick up a passing rhythm

Because the QB will only be taking a three-step drop before (ideally) throwing the ball, timing is the most important aspect of the short passing game. Your contribution to this timing involves 3 factors:

1. Run your pattern at the correct depth. Nothing hurts a short game more that a wideout that runs inconsistent routes. Consistency helps both your own and the QB's timing.
2. If depth consistency was number 1 in importance, speed consistency has to be 2. Go all out all the time.
3. You must be prepared to make the catch immediately
Having success in the short passing game requires you to turn your head and get your eyes on the QB the instant you make your break.

We're going to be covering three major short passing routes during this phase of the Tip of the Day: the "quick out," the "hitch," and the "slant." Each pattern will have distinct differences in how you approach them, but each also will require you to keep the three constants discussed above in place.

Tomorrow, we explain all three of those routes so you can get started picking apart the D in no time!