PASS RECEIVING
A football team can have a great passer and good cuts and patterns, but unless the receivers do their jobs correctly the passing game is of little value. The pass receiving phase is broken down into the following six basic maneuvers: (1) the release, (2) the approach, (3) faking, (4) running, (5) catching the ball, and (6) running with the ball.
Release:
To be a good and consistent receiver, the first prerequisite is clearing the line of scrimmage. A good receiver should never be held up at the line of scrimmage. He must work on this important phase of the passing game in order to perfect it. Every time an end releases downfield on running plays, he should experiment on techniques which will aid him later on pass plays. No two defenders are the same. What is successful against one might not be successful against another defender.
Approach (Man-for-man coverage):
Straight Line Approach:
1. Run at three-fourths speed.
2. Run at a specific point of the defender’s body.
3. Force the defender back, attempting to get him to turn in the opposite direction of your final break.
4. Make a good fake and step in the opposite direction of your final break.
Weave Approach:
1. Run at three-fourths speed.
2. Run an irregular course.
3. Through the change of direction force the defender to change his feet.
4. The number of weaves will be determined by the cuts called and the depth in which the ball is to be caught.
5. Give the impression that each weave is to be the final cut.
Faking (types):
1. Head fake—accompanied by a short jab step in the opposite direction of the final break.
2. Roll step—fake one way and roll off back foot directly toward the defender.
3. Change of direction.
4. Hook.
5. Hook and go.
Run (immediately after faking to receive the ball):
1. Run under control and relaxed.
2. By running three-fourths speed, the receiver is able to adjust to poorly thrown balls.
3. Keep the arm action parallel to the leg action, until ready to catch the ball.
4. While running, turn only the neck and head. If the body is turned at the waist, the receiver will be slowed down considerably.
Catching the Ball:
1. Relax completely as the ball comes toward the receiver. Relax particularly the fingers.
2. Follow the ball with the eyes all the way into the hands.
3. Catch the ball in and with the hands.
4. Never attempt to trap the ball next to the body.
5. Eliminate all thought from the mind except catching the football. All great receivers concentrate to such a degree they are actually unaware of the presence of the defenders.
6. A ball thrown directly at chest level or higher should be caught with the thumbs in. If the ball is thrown below the chest level, the thumbs should be turned out.
7. Always try to get the body in front of the ball on short passes.
8. A ball thrown on the outside and away from the receiver should be caught with the thumbs out.
9. When attempting to catch a long pass, never allow the inside arm to be in a position to blind you from seeing the football.
10. Catch the ball and tuck it away before running with it.
11. Every pass thrown to a receiver belongs to him, and he should exert every effort to catch it.
12. If the receiver cannot possibly catch the football, he should not permit the opponent to catch it. This is a cardinal rule.
Running (after catching the ball):
1. As soon as the ball is caught, take it firmly in the hand, tuck it under the arm, and most important, do not fumble.
2. Drop the inside shoulder expecting immediate contact.
3. Turn upfield to score.