Simple Route and Catch
Receiving & Route Running
Legend
- player
- cones
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Teach young players to run a basic 5-yard out route and catch the ball with proper hand positioning.
What you need
- football
- cones
Your focus
Establishing correct route-running habits early prevents the drifting and rounding that young players default to without instruction. Pairing the route with a catch reinforces that the goal of the route is to get open and secure the ball. Early success at simple routes builds the confidence foundation for more complex route running.
Set a cone 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and 5 yards outside the hash mark to define the out route break point.
Player runs at three-quarter speed toward the cone, plants outside foot, and cuts 90 degrees toward the sideline.
A parent or partner throws immediately after the cut; player catches with hands out front, thumbs together for mid-chest passes.
Run 5 reps to the left and 5 reps to the right.
Goal
You've got it when you catch three passes in a row with your hands, not your body, squeeze it, don't trap it.
Helpful cues
- Run to the cone, not past it
- Hands out early, do not wait for the ball to reach you
- Squeeze and tuck after the catch
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use a softer thrown ball and start at a 3-yard route depth.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a passive defender at the cone who gives light pressure after the catch to teach flag protection.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.