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.