Medium Patterns: Hook, In, Out & Seam

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The "delay" pass route is run by the wide receiver releasing off the line of scrimmage at a slight angle away from the ball. On this type of pass, another eligible receiver from the inside runs deep through the wide receiver's area first. When the wide receiver reaches six yards, he should pivot in, running back at a slight angle toward the center of the field. This is a type of pass which is not caught far down the field. However, because of the time it takes the pattern to develop, the quarterback will use a medium pass drop. The receiver should be prepared to receive the ball anytime after breaking to the inside.

The "cross pattern comes off the slant pass route, which is run in the short area. After angling in at four yards, the receiver breaks off his slant path at eight yards and continues running directly across the field. He can continue to allow his path to take him slightly away from the line of scrimmage, but he must be certain that he does not go so deep that he runs into defenders who are dropping into zone coverage. The ball usually will not get to the receiver until he is nearing, or has just passed, the center of the field.

When the receiver is learning the "hook" pattern, he must be reminded to use his glide to best position the defensive player. When he has reached a depth of 12 yards from the line of scrimmage, the receiver should lower his hips, plant his outside foot to stop his momentum, turn to the inside with his body, and begin coming back in a direct line to the quarterback. The ball should be delivered chest high, at the numbers, for the receiver to make the catch.

Both the "out" and the "in" pass patterns must be run in relationship to the play of the defensive man. The wide receiver should run up the field 12 yards and then begin to make his two 45-degree cuts to either the inside or the outside. With both patterns, the receiver must have a slight angle back to the line of scrimmage. Because the ball is in the air for a longer time on the out pass, thus giving the defender a greater opportunity to react while the ball is in the air, it becomes even more important for the receiver running the "out" route to come back toward the line of scrimmage to make the catch.

The final pass pattern in the medium area, the "seam," is really a quick post pattern. Because this is a pass route that relies on speed, the receiver usually will sprint straight up the field. At eight yards, the receiver should adjust his path, angling slightly in toward the center of the field. Based upon the coverage run by the defense, the receiver can expect to get the ball any time within the next six or seven yards. When running a seam route the receiver must make certain that he angles in only enough to get away from the defender and not enough to carry him into the center of the field. Any wide receiver running a seam route should expect the ball to be drilled into his chest and not lofted over his head so that he can run under it.

"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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