The Slot is the term used to describe a wide receiver who lines up in the area between the outside wide receivers and offensive linemen. A slot receiver is also known as a slotback.
A slot receiver is an essential part of the offense today. They give quarterbacks a versatile option when throwing the ball, and also act as an extra blocker when running the ball outside.
Some teams are more dependent on their slot receivers than others, so it’s important to understand how they play. We’ll take a look at what they do, how they differ from other wide receivers, and the top NFL slot receivers to watch in 2018.
Slot Receiver Basics
A player that lines up in the slot is a special type of receiver that specializes in making big gains with small targets. They often have a quick release and can get open quickly, so they make it easy for the quarterback to throw them the ball.
They can also run routes that correspond with other receivers in the same offense, which helps confuse the defense and create open lanes for their team. They’re also more difficult to tackle than other wide receivers, which can make them dangerous in certain situations.
In the NFL, slot receivers are a huge part of the game’s success. They can be a great weapon for quarterbacks, who are often under pressure to stretch the field and attack all three levels of the defense.
There are many different routes that a slot receiver can run, and they’re usually called into pre-snap motion by the quarterback. Those routes include pitch plays, reverses, and end-arounds.
These players can run the ball like a running back from time to time, as well. They’re often called into pre-snap motion to run the ball out of the backfield for slant runs and sweeps.
A slot receiver can catch the ball with their hands, but they can also use their feet to get open and grab it out of the air. They’re also a lot faster than other wide receivers, so they can catch the ball even in traffic or after the quarterback has thrown it.
Some slot receivers have a knack for speed, which can help them get open on passing plays and make catches on running plays. They can also be a big asset when the quarterback calls for a slant or sweep, as they’ll be able to take advantage of the space behind the line of scrimmage and run with the ball.
They’re also excellent defenders, and can stop a quarterback before he gets the ball. This makes them a key part of any defensive system, but it’s important to remember that they can also be injured.
The most important thing to keep in mind when playing slots is that you won’t know what the odds are until you hit a winning combination. This is because the machines have a random number generator (RNG) that determines the outcome of each spin.
