When a football team needs to run a play, they will often call for a slot receiver. These players are fast, but they also have great route-running skills and can catch the ball in traffic. During certain plays, they may even need to carry the ball like a running back from time to time.
The slot position has been around for decades, but it has become more popular in recent years. This is mainly because teams are looking to use this type of player more frequently in the passing game.
Some of the best Slot receivers in NFL history include: Tyreek Hill, Cole Beasley, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Robert Woods, and Juju Smith-Schuster. These players have all paved the way for this position and have helped the NFL move away from using a traditional running game.
One of the most important aspects of being a slot receiver is having good chemistry with the quarterback. When the two are on the same page, they can produce some big plays.
This chemistry is particularly important when it comes to running routes and timing plays. It takes a lot of practice to get this down.
In addition, they need to be aware of where defenders are on the field and have a keen understanding of the defense’s positioning in order to be successful.
They also need to be able to block effectively. This is especially crucial since they typically line up close to the middle of the field, meaning they need to be able to seal off defensive players from reaching their target.
Their speed is a huge advantage for them as well, as they are able to outrun defenders quickly. This is why they are asked to run the ball from time to time on pitch plays, reverses, and end-arounds.
The Slot receiver is a vital cog in the offensive line, and he’s usually a part of the initial blocking for most running plays. This includes picking up blitzes from the defensive line and secondary players, as well as providing protection on outside runs.
A slot receiver’s skill set can be difficult to defend, and they need to have a certain level of “twitchiness” in order to avoid getting hit. They are also able to run a number of different routes, including inside, outside, and deep, which require them to move downfield quickly in order to make it to their target.
There are many other skills that a Slot receiver must possess in order to be successful, such as:
They should have excellent hand and speed capabilities. This is essential for them to be able to get open on slant, switch, and cross routes. They should also be able to juke out of the slot CB’s hands and break the tackle.
They should also have excellent awareness of the field and know which defenders are where on the field, as this can help them to be more successful when it comes to running routes and timing plays. They also need to be able to block in a variety of ways, from chipping nickelbacks to cracking back blocks on defensive ends.