Catch and run routes
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The idea in everyday life
Track the near point of the ball, present late hands as appropriate, secure before turning, and adapt hand shape for location. A route requires alignment, release, stem, exact break depth, body control, and a finish that gives the quarterback a clear window.
A route communicates timing and space; the catch completes that agreement.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Catch soft passes with eyes through the ball, thumbs together above the waist and little fingers together below when appropriate.
- 2
Secure the catch before turning upfield and practice boundary awareness and two-hand protection in traffic situations.
- 3
Learn stance, release, stem, break, and finish for slant, out, curl, go, and flat routes.
- 4
Run each route at the same early tempo, sink the hips at breaks, and arrive at landmarks on time.
See how it works.
Morgan catches ten gentle passes at chest height, five above the shoulders, and five low, tucking each before moving. Then a 5-yard out route is walked, jogged, and run at controlled speed with a cone marking the break and eyes returning to the quarterback.
Did you cover these?
- The catch is made with hands when possible and secured before running.
- Break depth and direction are consistent across reps.
- Poorly thrown balls are abandoned if reaching would cause unsafe collision or landing.
What to finish
Five core routes run from both sides with catch percentage and route-depth accuracy recorded.
Watch for this
Drifting through rounded cuts that change the quarterback’s timing and invite a defender into the route.
How can I tell I understand it?
You can run a route to a landmark, show your hands late, secure the catch, and transition safely.
Quick knowledge check
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Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Two-Minute Drill: Catching the Football
From USA Football. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Follow USA Football's catching cues, pausing to examine hand position, eyes through the catch, and the moment the ball is secured.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
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