You’re watching a Sunday afternoon game, and the color commentator shouts about a "perfectly executed 7-route." Maybe you nod along. Or maybe you're sitting there wondering why a number is being used to describe a grown man running in a straight line. Here’s the thing: the wide receiver route tree is basically the periodic table of football. It is the fundamental language that allows a quarterback in a deafening stadium to know exactly where his target will be without even looking.
If you don't know the tree, you don't really know the game. You're just watching guys run around. But once you see the patterns, the logic of the field opens up. It’s not just a set of tracks; it’s a tactical map used to manipulate defenders who are usually faster and stronger than the guys trying to catch the ball.
The Basic Math of the Wide Receiver Route Tree
Think of the route tree as a map. Traditionally, it’s numbered 0 through 9. Odd numbers usually go toward the sideline (outward), and even numbers break toward the middle of the field (inward). This isn't just some arbitrary rule someone made up in a basement; it’s designed for quick communication. A coach can scream "86" and the receivers instantly know the play concept without a 30-second explanation.
The 0-Route is the "Hitch." It’s the simplest thing in the world. You run five yards, stop, and turn around. It’s a "possession" route. You aren't going to get a 50-yard touchdown on a hitch unless the cornerback trips over his own shoelaces, but you’ll move the chains.
Then you have the 1-Route, the "Flat." This is a quick three-yard burst toward the sideline. It’s the ultimate safety valve. If the pass rush is coming home and the quarterback is about to get his ribs crushed, he’s looking for that 1-route. It’s fast. It’s dirty. It works.
Breaking Down the In-Breakers (The Evens)
The 2-Route, or the "Slant," is arguably the most dangerous weapon in an NFL playbook. Look at guys like Cooper Kupp or Davante Adams. They make their living on the slant. You take three hard steps vertical, then slash across the middle at a 45-degree angle. If the timing is right, the linebacker can’t react fast enough. If it’s wrong? Well, the receiver is likely going to get hit by a safety moving at twenty miles per hour. It’s high risk, high reward.
Let’s talk about the 4-Route (the "In" or "Dig") and the 6-Route (the "Curl").
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- The Dig is a deeper version of the slant but with a square 90-degree break. You go 10–12 yards downfield and then "dig" across the middle.
- The Curl is the "hitch's" big brother. You run 10–12 yards, stop on a dime, and come back toward the quarterback.
The 8-Route is the "Post." This is the glory route. You head toward the goalposts. It’s a deep shot. When you see a quarterback launch a 40-yard bomb into the end zone, there’s a high probability he’s throwing to a receiver on an 8-route. It requires elite speed and even better ball tracking.
Why the Out-Breakers (The Odds) Rule the Sideline
While the even routes attack the heart of the defense, the odd numbers attack the edges. The 3-Route (the "Out") is a 10-yard vertical stem followed by a hard 90-degree turn toward the sideline. It’s an incredibly difficult throw for a quarterback because the ball has to travel a long distance through the air, giving the cornerback time to jump it.
The 5-Route is the "Out" but deeper—think 12 to 15 yards.
Then there’s the 7-Route, better known as the "Corner" or "Flag" route. You run deep and then break toward the back pylon of the end zone. It’s the natural enemy of "Cover 2" defenses. Why? Because it puts the deep safety in a blender. He has to decide whether to stay in the middle or chase the receiver to the corner. Usually, he’s too late.
Finally, the 9-Route. The "Fly." The "Go." The "Streak."
Run fast. Don't stop.
It’s the simplest part of the wide receiver route tree, but it’s the one that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night. If a team has a guy who can consistently win on the 9-route, the entire defense has to back up, which opens up everything else underneath.
The Nuance Google and Madden Won't Tell You
Honestly, the numbers are just the beginning. Real NFL route running is about "stemming" and "blind spots."
A master like Justin Jefferson doesn't just run a 4-route. He starts his 4-route looking exactly like he’s running a 9-route. He’ll use a "head whip" or a "stutter step" at the top of the break to make the cornerback think he's going deep. By the time the corner turns his hips to run, Jefferson has already snapped his route off and is five yards away.
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That’s the "tree" in practice. It’s deception.
Modern Variations and "Choice" Routes
The game has changed a lot since the days of Don Coryell and the original numbering systems. Today, we have "Option" or "Choice" routes. In these schemes, the receiver doesn't have a fixed number. Instead, they read the defender’s leverage. If the defender is playing "inside shade" (blocking the middle), the receiver breaks out. If the defender is "outside shade," the receiver breaks in.
This requires a psychic-level connection between the QB and the WR. If the receiver sees one thing and the quarterback sees another, the ball goes to a spot where nobody is standing—except maybe a very happy defensive back. This is what happened frequently with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams; they were so in sync that the "route tree" became a living, breathing thing rather than a static diagram.
How to Actually Apply This Knowledge
If you’re a coach, a player, or just a die-hard fan who wants to sound smarter at the bar, you need to understand the "verticality" of the tree.
- Level 1 (Short): Routes 0, 1, and 2. These are for quick rhythm and beating the blitz.
- Level 2 (Intermediate): Routes 3, 4, 5, and 6. These are the "chain movers" that require timing and precise footwork.
- Level 3 (Deep): Routes 7, 8, and 9. These are the explosive plays that change the scoreboard instantly.
Most "West Coast" offenses thrive on Levels 1 and 2. High-flying "Air Raid" or vertical offenses live on Level 3. When a team is "balanced," it means they are effectively using the entire wide receiver route tree to stretch the defense both horizontally (sideline to sideline) and vertically (line of scrimmage to the end zone).
Actionable Insights for Your Next Game Day:
- Watch the "Stem": Instead of following the ball, watch the wide receiver for the first 10 yards of the play. Notice how he tries to "step on the toes" of the cornerback before making his break. This is how they create space.
- Identify the Coverage: If you see the cornerbacks playing 10 yards off the ball, look for the 0 (Hitch) or 6 (Curl). If they are playing "press" (right in the receiver's face), look for the 9 (Go) or 2 (Slant).
- Track the Numbers: Try to call out the route number as it happens. When you see a guy break toward the sideline at an angle, whisper "7-route" to yourself. You’ll start to see the offensive logic unfold in real-time.
The route tree isn't just a coaching tool; it's the DNA of every offensive play ever called. Understanding it turns the game from a chaotic collision of athletes into a high-speed game of chess.