Slot Receiver

Slot Receiver

slot

A narrow notch or opening, as in a keyway in machinery or the slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also, a position in a group, series, or sequence.

A football receiver who lines up in the area between the wideout and the tight end, a few yards behind the line of scrimmage. Slot receivers are typically shorter and stockier than outside wideouts, but they need to be fast and able to run precise routes. They also block for running plays.

In recent seasons, teams have begun to rely on the slot receiver more and more, as they are typically faster than traditional wideouts and can help counteract defenses that focus on covering the outside areas. Because of this, they must be able to run all passing routes and have exceptional timing. They also need to be able to block well, since they don’t have a fullback or extra tight end to shield them from defenders.

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