Tight End: Pass Catcher

For a TE to be a successful part of the passing game, he needs to have a good release off the line of scrimmage. Most tight ends use a three-point stance, fewer a two-point, but the latter is much more frequent when the TE is flexed away from the offensive tackle. No matter which stance is utilized, your ability to quickly get off the line is crucial for your capability to be an effective pass catcher.

Your release tends to be more difficult as a defender will nearly always be lined up right in front of you. Whoever you face, you cannot allow yourself to get held up at the line on your way to running your route.

In an instance where a defender is lined up on you, you'll have to take an angle step with your back foot so that it winds up on the side of your release. It's essential that the step moves forward and that it's one that begins taking you up the field.

If you have your right foot back in your stance and are releasing to the right of the defender, you need to step slightly to the right as you bring your back foot up. When releasing to the left in the same stance, you'll want to bring your back foot up and slightly across your body.

You should have a small amount of separation from the defender with your step. From here, bring your arm closest to the defender forward. Swing this arm up hard in front of your shoulder. This rip move if done right should be adequate to pull the defender's hands from your jersey.

Make certain on the snap that you stay low and come off the ball hard. Don't waste time trying to fake the defender at the line.