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prayer

Freshman
a thread on BN was discussing running routes by wide receivers (say that 10 times real fast). one poster claimed that albert dukes is the best he's seen since lynn swann. others say santonio is the best on the team. based on the michigan game and comments by the color commentator, i'd have to say holmes would have to be the best.

my question, however, _ coming from a dumb ol' ex-lineman _ is what makes a good route runner? my experience is basically, "do a down and out to the old chevy parked on the street, and i'll hit ya with a pass.''

what would be some technical aspects that make a good route runner? any coaches out there with input? usually the designation is another way to say a guy is slow (same as calling some sure-handed). who is the best route runner for the buckeyes?
 
prayer said:
one poster claimed that albert dukes is the best he's seen since lynn swann. others say santonio is the best on the team. based on the michigan game and comments by the color commentator, i'd have to say holmes would have to be the best.

I would think folks should reserve judgment on Dukes until they actually see him in a college game.
 
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The guy who claims Dukes is the best route runner also claims to have access to practice and coaches...I think he has some administrative roll with the athletic department, but I'm not sure. As far as players with game experience, Holmes by far is the best...
 
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In terms of what makes a good route runner, coming from someone who didn't play football past highschool...

1) running consitantly the same route... not running your post and breaking off at 10 yards one time, and 15 the next. This is really important on the timing routes.
2) sharp cuts
3) being able to get defenders to 'break their hips' in the direction opposite to where you are cutting...

and there is much much more that I am sure someone that is a coach or that played at a higher level than I could add.
 
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best route running would probably include

1) Being the most consistent (not rounding anything off) and being precise
2) making sharp cuts (on a dime)
3) Getting Seperating is also included in the route running
4) Getting the defender to go opposite of where you're going (Gamble/Evans)

Most of those points are already stated, but most imortantly is that the Wide Reciever doesn't get lazy and just run to a certain spot, but rather takes the tme to sell a fake then make his cuts hard.
 
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Take my first post for whatever you think it's worth. I am a long, long, long time lurker on both here, bucknuts, rivals & the o-zone. Visit these sight's long enough & often enough & you know who has credibility & who has some access the GP doesn't. The poster is OSUalumn82 & in my book is one of the more knowledgable, insightful & well thought out posters you will see on any buckeye sight. He works atOSU in some administrative role (my gut is in the athletic dept.) I believe. He has direct access to players & coaches & watches alot of practice etc... When he says Dukes is the best route runner atOSU it is because he has seen it not just once or twice but enough to have an informed opinion (which the coaches probably share) & he believes it. I go out of my way to look for his post's as they are very informative & he handles himself w/ alot of class / restraint when sharing his thought's / observations. I put him in the same category as Alan, Nevada, HH & Bill something, I believe some numbers (bucknuts poster who I believe is also somewhat connected to the program)- for whatever you think that is worth. Thanks for the sight as it is a way to get great info & conversation re: our bucks w/out having to sift through all of the garbage!
 
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I'll chime in on this one...being a former college receiver (albeit 10 years ago at a Div. III school :) ).....

Against MAN coverage...
  • Get off the line quickly against the bump
  • "Break" the DB's cushion as soon as possible if they're playing off the line. As soon as the DB's space is threatened...they'll turn their hips to run. On short routes, when that happens, they're beat!
  • Double or triple moves (ala Santonio against Shazor for the TD) and mix it up. If you run the same 15 yard out every time...they'll catch on.
  • Don't give away your cut, meaning don't slow down, and raise up before making cuts. Your body position in the eyes of the DB should look almost the same at full sprint as right before your cut.
  • Crisp cuts with separation (accelerate out of the cut)
  • Come back to the ball.
  • And #1...get to where the QB thinks your going to be when he expects you to be there.
Against ZONE coverage...
  • Read the type of zone correctly..and hope your QB does the same.
  • Run the correct route for the type of zone. Routes can vary significantly based on the type of zone being played.
  • Find and get to the "dead spot" for your route. For example, depending on the type of zone (2 deep, 3 deep, etc.) The same route, a curl for example, might end up in different places (both vertically and horizontally).
Anyway, that's the stuff that was beat into my head for 4 years in college....seemed to work OK...

sUi
 
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Different routes also require different skills as well. For example, on an out route, you have to be able to whip your head around out of your cut, on a deep ball, you have to have the discipline to wait till the last second to put your arms out for the ball in order to not let the DB know the ball is coming, and also how to use your body to shield the defender from the ball. Something that was already mentioned is to run your routes the same every time, which is very important, however, if it is third and 8 and you are given a route that is 7 yards, you take it 8 in that situation(unless you have played for the Browns for the last three years since they love to throw the 5 yarder on third and 7). You also have to come off the ball the same way, even if it is a run(see Randy Moss, do the exact opposite) every play.
 
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I think you guys are explaining what makes a great WR... not a great route runner.

A great route runner is just that, runs great routes consistently without deviation. Can always be counted on to be in the same spot at the same time on the same route over and over again.
 
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LloydSev said:
I think you guys are explaining what makes a great WR... not a great route runner.

A great route runner is just that, runs great routes consistently without deviation. Can always be counted on to be in the same spot at the same time on the same route over and over again.
My guess is that a good route-runner should be able to fight off the bump-and-runs (sounds like a bad stomach sickness) pretty well, too. He isn't a good route-runner if the CB knocks him over right away.
 
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Zurp said:
My guess is that a good route-runner should be able to fight off the bump-and-runs (sounds like a bad stomach sickness) pretty well, too. He isn't a good route-runner if the CB knocks him over right away.
Bump and Run has nothing to do with the route you are running...... that is all about your skills as a WR. Route Running is just one skill you can posess as a WR.
 
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LloydSev said:
A great route runner is just that, runs great routes consistently without deviation. Can always be counted on to be in the same spot at the same time on the same route over and over again.
Lloyd the original question asks what makes a great route runner...

These guys are providing pretty solid info on the details that make a great route runner....

Anyone can run at the same speed and get to the same spot time after time...however, the sharpest and most effective routes involve the head/elbow snaps, the sinking hips, the solid plant, etc.

Pretty good analysis in this thread IMHO...SuI, you looking for a job?

LloydSev said:
Bump and Run has nothing to do with the route you are running...... that is all about your skills as a WR. Route Running is just one skill you can posess as a WR.
Funny, we teach a variety of releases for bump and run coverages in order to secure the route and keep the timing.

I'd consider it a definite aspect of route running
 
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I would disagree... I mean, it sounds like a blanket list for what makes a great WR, not just a route runner.

But hey, I played TE and DL.

Funny, we teach a variety of releases for bump and run coverages in order to secure the route and keep the timing.

I'd consider it a definite aspect of route running

You are breaking your route when you deviate. Breaking a bump and run is a good skill as a WR. But we'll have to agree to disagree.
 
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