An offense simply cannot score without one talented receiver: a player who can spread the field, shake defenders and make big plays when his offense needs him. The difference between a good and great wide receiver is more than you may think. You may be aware of aspects of your game which need improvement. Through exercise and drills, you can become the ultimate offensive weapon.
Instructions
1. Begin by improving your hands. Simply put, if you can't catch the football, you can't play wide receiver. There are numerous drills you can do in order to improve catching ability. Have somebody throw you passes at the numbers as well as both above and below your waist. Work on coming back to catch short passes and extending your body for deep balls which seem to be out of your grasp. Participate in the infamous “Tip Drill” so you can make a play for a ball that has been deflected by a wide receiver. You should catch a total of at least 500 balls every day during practices and drills. A good receiver should be able to catch anything and everything within arms-length.
2. Increase both mental and physical toughness. A wide receiver must be able to fully concentrate on the ball when preparing to make a catch. He needs to be a machine out on the field, extending his hands and catching the ball as if it were apart of his DNA. A receiver must also be ready and willing to take the hit from a linebacker or defensive back without wavering. Wide receivers get beat up during a football game, especially receivers who run routes over the middle. Take part in contact drills in order to toughen your body up and get your mind prepared for the game. You don't want to short-arm a possible catch during a big game because you're afraid of getting hit.
3. Spend plenty of time at the gym. A wide receiver must be strong throughout his entire body. Use squats, leg curls, quad lifts and running exercises to increase leg strength for speed. A wide receiver must be able to burn defensive backs, especially for a deep ball. He must also have a strong upper body so he can absorb hits from oncoming defenders.
4. Read the play book and practice running routes properly. If you and your quarterback are not on the same page during a play, it could lead to a costly incompletion or interception. You need to practice running routes daily, even on the simplest of route such as a curl pattern. A wide receiver should know his routes so well he could run them perfectly in his sleep.
5. Learn block linebackers and defensive backs. Many wide receivers believe that the play is over once the ball has been thrown to somebody else. That isn't the case at all. A wide receiver that can throw a block down field can be invaluable to a running back or fellow receiver (just ask Hines Ward). The techniques you use for blocking will be based upon your size and athletic ability. Nevertheless, you should take part in blocking drills at least twice per week.
6. Increase agility and your ability to juke out defensive backs. There will come a time when simply cannot break free from a defensive back. Speed alone may not do the trick. Use an agility ladder and other such drills to increase your ability to fake out defenders. Practice head and body fakes so that you can get around a safety and break free for a long pass. These moves can easily create scoring opportunities for your offense.
Tags: receiver must, wide receiver, wide receiver, defensive backs, receiver should