Running Pass Routes: Release, Glide, Sprint & Burst

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Every receiver must have in his mind the four essential segments of any pass route: the release, glide, sprint, and burst.

The next segment of the pass route is referred to as the "glide" phase. This is where the receiver may alter his path up the field in order to be in the best possible position to break free from the defensive man. In the glide segment of any route, the receiver must understand that speed is an essential factor and he must not slow down as he is in his glide.

Initially, the receiver should think about two things in the glide phase: First, where he wants to go, and, second, where the defensive man is located in relationship to the receiver's final path.

All wide receivers and tight ends must apply this basic principle: If the defensive player is away from where you desire to go, run at him and keep him where he is. But if he is located where you want to go, you must run away from him and force him to come with you.

The Wide Receiver Release

The intent of the release from the line of scrimmage of either a wide receiver or tight end, is to get up the field as quickly as possible. The sooner a receiver can attack the defense, the greater the opportunity he will have to make a reception.

The Wide Receiver Glide

In this drill, the wide receiver should not be concerned with learning how to run the complete "out" pass pattern. The focus, instead, is on teaching the receiver how to use the glide phase of the pass pattern to maneuver the defender away from the final area of the intended route. The receiver will not actually break to the outside, but should continue running up the field until he has passed the coach. The same drill setup will be used for teaching the tight end how to adjust his glide based on the coverage location of the defensive player.

The Wide Receiver Sprint

The third segment of a pass pattern is the "sprint." This includes the last four steps of the glide, just prior to the receiver making the final break on his pattern. In these four steps the receiver is trying to convince the defender that he is attempting to run by him. If possible, this threat of being beat deep will cause the defender to physically turn and start running directly toward his own goal line, thus giving the receiver a better opportunity to break free.

The Wide Receiver & Tight End Burst

When practicing the burst, the same drill setup as in the previous drills can be used, with an offensive player posing as the defender and no quarterback in the drill. The final break of the pass pattern and the burst away from the defensive man are the points to be emphasized.

"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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