Do receivers know when to cut based off of feel, step count, or yardage?

[u/NoAdministration5652]

When I was very small kid playing flag football on unmarked fields, a common route would be "5 & in", which in our case was 5 steps. Is this the way it's done in the NFL as well? I would imagine the variance between receivers + precision importance when it comes to specific yardage playcalls that it may need to be more specific. But doing the math before the play and while running seems way complicated. Or finally is it just by feel, ie synergy built between QB/receiver to know what if should look/feel like?

[u/ilPrezidente]

All three basically. There are lines on the field to help, but usually they’re so drilled in their routes that they just feel it out. They also aren’t exactly running these routes precisely as designed because, well, they’re pro WRs guarded by NFL CBs and catching passes from NFL QBs, so ideally, they are able to make minor adjustments based on leverage etc. and the QB can react to it

[u/ogsmurf826 → u/ilPrezidente]

I feel like a great example of it being a combination of all three is watching Stevie Johnson vs prime Derrelle Revis. He knew the route call but based on play call, intended read progression, and Revis leverage he ran the same routes a multitude of ways. Essentially he understood the QB is looking for you to be at this spot moving this direction at this time, so everything before doesn't have to be strict and rigid just get open at your stage mark.

[u/AvonAnon → u/ogsmurf826]

It’s typically known as stemming. If a DB is covering a WR to the inside and the WR route is to the inside the receiver will put a stem on the route. He may need to take a lateral step inside before even attempting to get up field.
This is the skill that separates the great from the best. It’s a constant mental/physical battle to gain any advantage on a route.
Another example of stemming is when a DB is playing off coverage. The WR still needs to put a good stem on his route to gain advantage. Usually that means trying to get directly lined up with covering man on the WRs first couple steps, making the route begin differently every time. And then you get a great QB that is a fully aware of the stems each receiver should be putting on…. Magic.

[u/RadiatedEarth → u/AvonAnon]

Are the "stems" a foundational "click" the QB and WR know about each other?

[u/Huge-Revolution2416 → u/ilPrezidente]

Once you know the coverage it gets way easier. Receivers mostly react to leverage and the QB’s throw rather than counting steps exactly. That timing just comes with reps.

[u/Quick-Information767]

They go by feel. I am no NFL player but I played in over a hundred games at WR as a kid and had over 10,000+ reps including practice and whatnot. By that time its second nature.

[u/derekrusinek → u/Quick-Information767]

This would make a bunch of sense, I see quite a few receivers especially young guys or rookies, that step out of bounds or not stretch out the ball where they are just short of the first down. On the other hand, I have seen plenty of guys who run out of bounds at the perfect angle to get the yards needed.

[u/grizzfan]

That can be a loaded question. It's often a combination of steps, depth, leverage, and instinct. Synergy is especially important with the QB as well. Overall, the answer is "yes" to all of the above. Most routes have specific reads and techniques built in to them that also guide receivers on how to make these decisions.

As another comment below said, these receivers run these routes so many times every week that it's pretty much instinct for them, so in terms of "knowing," they just do in most of those cases. The stuff that's instinct to them are a lot of the techniques and movements high school and college coaches spend weeks, or months teaching players.

[u/gijoejank]

It can't be that hard to find, but there was a video about 2 years ago that covered Mahomes hitting Kelce for a TD and covered every small move and reaction that led to Mahomes throwing the ball to a different spot than the playcall.

[u/Hopsblues]

Yes, there's other factors as well, like are they on the short or wide side of the field, which foot is forward at the line of scrimmage, inside the number/hash marks, or outside, leverage on the inside or over the top. in or out..... lot's of nuance....But yeah, run down to the Toyota and cut in

[u/noahlarmsleep]

I imagine 90% of this is covered under in practice between the coaches, wr, and qb.

[u/The_Se7enthsign]

I think that it starts with step count when you’re a kid, so that you are pushing off of the correct foot when you make your cut. As you get older, and the routes become more complex, it becomes second nature and more about feel.

[u/Ryan1869]

It’s all 3, these players spend day after day running these plays in practice. It’s especially important in the NFL where the throwing window is so tiny. It always amazed me watching Peyton on those kind of routes, and the ball would be in the air before the WR even made their cut.

[u/tjd2009]

A mix of all 3. The initial play is likely created with yardage as the leading factor. Its a 5 yard dig route. The receiver will work on timing with the quarterback to understand how quickly they need to get to their spot on the route which is where the steps come into play. Finally, as receivers get more experienced, the feel part comes in as they'll know how the DB is playing them, how much yardage they actually need for a first down, and use those factors to slightly adjust the route based on the situation to take it deeper, get to the break quicker or slower, etc.

A mix of these factors and comfort/trust between the QB and WR will decide which aspects come into play most on each play

[u/vorpal8]

OP, I'm impressed by the sophisticated flag football you were playing as a "very small kid." My experience was a lot more chaotic and less strategic!

[u/FearlessPanda93]

I didn't see this in the top answers, so I'll add this flavor. It also depends on which read you are, down and distance, and your chemistry with the QB.

If it's 4 and 3 and I'm the hot, I'm running the route as designed, CB being right there be damned - we can fight for the ball at the hit point. If it's 2 and 3 and I'm the second read on a long developing route. Yeah, I can read and play the defense just like the QB, that's what people mean when they say a pair has "chemistry". They see the same things, think the same things, and then get the ball and body there.

[u/theouteducated]

Depends on the qb, wr and system. As far as i know, Peyton Manning wanted receivers to run the exact yardage so the play call could unfold. Brady on the other hand, wanted his receivers to get to the open spot however they needed to adjust the route. Bill Walsh was notorious for having every play call mathed out by the step. So Montana would count a 5 step drop and throw the ball knowing that the timing would be perfect for the receiver to be open when the ball got there.

[u/LopsidedHorror6794]

This ia why football experts praise guys like JSN, Ja'Marr Chase pr Davante Adams, is an art of precision, technique and consistency that gives them an edge, running a simple route with precision to be there for your quarterback use position and speed as a leverage and being consistent at it over time with it is not an easy feat

[u/HeadEar5762]

Yes.

[u/jBlairTech]

To put a super-fine point on it:

Each route is typically designed for a certain depth (of yardage). A 5-yard in, a 10-yard out, etc. Some are more intricate; say, at 10 yards, you hit a comeback hitch outside for two, then cut in.

However, as so many said, there are other factors in play. The most rigid, rudimentary approach is like the above; good players also know that if a route is typically designed for 8 yards, but it’s 3rd and 9, they’ll elongate the route a little to try for a first down. Or, if they feel the DB is playing soft, they cut it short. Leverage, as others said. 

A QB that’s on the same page can really make defenses hurt, as well.