DJ McCarthy, WR Coach, Florida Atlantic
The complete video is available on Glazier Drive: WR Drills
This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
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WIDE RECEIVER COACHING DRILLS – TRAINING TRANSCRIPT SUMMARY
This video covers essential wide receiver training drills focused on route running, footwork, and catching techniques. The coach emphasizes fundamentals that help receivers beat defensive backs and make contested catches.
FADE DRILL – OWNING THE LINE
The fade drill teaches receivers to fight pressure from defensive backs who try to push them off their route. Key principles include:
- Fight pressure with pressure to stay on the designated line
- Catch the ball late on the outside shoulder
- Maintain proper positioning with “ball, me, man” mentality
- Lean into defenders while keeping route integrity
- Focus on capturing space and owning the area
FOOTWORK DRILLS – BOX DRILL VARIATIONS
The coach incorporates cone-based footwork drills to improve agility and body control:
- One-two stick pattern moving in and out of cones
- Keep shoulders and hips square with definitive weight transfer
- Protect knees with proper chin-knee-toe alignment when planting
- Progress to hip-flipping variation where shoulders stay square but hips turn
- This teaches receivers to change direction while keeping defenders guessing
THREE-WAY CATCH DRILL
This conditioning drill combines catching with direction changes:
- Set up with inside cones 10 yards apart, outside cones 3 yards beyond
- Receiver catches, tucks, drops hips, and changes direction
- Can work figure-eight pattern or alternating turns
- Limits steps between cones (4-6 maximum) to maintain intensity
- Penalty system (5 push-ups) for touching cones maintains focus
OVER THE TOP DRILL – BLIND SPOT TRAINING
This advanced drill teaches receivers to catch balls in their blind spot:
- Take three hard steps, then look straight up on “ball” command
- Ball comes from overhead blind spot, requiring spatial awareness
- Hands must be at eye level or above for peripheral vision tracking
- Progresses to over-shoulder catches (left and right)
- Emphasizes looking up for the ball, not back toward the quarterback
KEY COACHING POINTS THROUGHOUT
- Always emphasize finishing every drill, block, and play
- Hands should be eye level or above for deep ball tracking
- Teach receivers to look up for balls thrown 40+ yards downfield
- Focus on ball security with proper tucking technique
- Maintain proper body positioning to beat defensive coverage
The training emphasizes game-realistic situations where receivers must make contested catches while maintaining route discipline and body control.