Coach -

Strain = Growth

Strain is the key to growth. We push our athletes in the offseason, demanding they surpass yesterday’s version of themselves. But as coaches, are we doing the same?

Are we pushing our knowledge, refining our approach, and becoming more intentional in our preparation? The work we put in now lays the foundation for everything that follows.

Mastering the details, developing a strategic plan, and attacking preparation with purpose are just as important as weight room reps. The more we invest, the more our players gain.

Let’s dive into receiver play.

Attacking, Not Avoiding, Coverage

Young receivers often try to dodge defenders instead of attacking with intent. The best route runners don’t just rely on speed—they manipulate leverage and force defenders to react.

Key Coaching Point:

Instead of avoiding an alley player, engage him. Make him commit to a direction by stemming toward his leverage and forcing him to open up. This creates separation on your terms, rather than letting the defense dictate your route.

💡 Winning starts with controlling coverage, not escaping it.

Everything begins with stance and start—design movements to attack and manipulate space. Hear it straight from Coach Doug Meachem:

🎥 Starting Points for Receivers - Doug Meachem

The Art of the Release

A great release is all about deception. Sell the move, win the rep.

✅ Step outside your framework – Make the defender lean.

✅ Use upper-body twitch – Get him to shift his weight.

✅ Hand-fighting – Keep it quick, create just enough space.

✅ Go hip-to-hip – This gives you control to stack the defender and dominate the route.

🏈 Coach Holman Wiggins walks through the fundamentals and drills here:

🎥 WR Fundamentals/RPOs - Holman Wiggins

Winning at the Top of the Route

Not every rep is against press coverage. True separation often happens late in the route, using the same principles in different ways.

🛠 Coach Joseph Hawkins breaks it down:

🎥 Creating Separation at the Top of Route - Joseph Hawkins

Elite Route Running: The Viking Standard

Creating an elite WR unit takes precision, detail, and discipline—just ask Coach Tony Sorrentino, who has helped shape the Vikings’ high-powered passing attack.

💡 Justin Jefferson’s technique is no accident.

💡 The Vikings have passed for 4,000+ yards in back-to-back seasons—with two different QBs.

Coach Sorrentino shares the WR cues and coaching points that fuel elite route running:

🎥 How to Be a Complete WR - Tony Sorrentino

The offseason is your time to strain, grow, and sharpen your understanding of the WR position.

Level Up!

Coach Kauffman

P.S.

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📦 Developing a Complete WR