Elevate Your Route Running: St. John's Prep Eagles' WR Drill
At Div I programs like St. John's Prep Eagles, wide receivers are constantly working on their route running skills to stay ahead of the competition. One effective drill to improve this skill is the 'Speed Box' drill. This drill involves setting up a 10x10 foot box with cones and having the receiver start at one corner of the box. The coach or trainer will then call out a specific route, such as a slant or out, and the receiver must run the route while maintaining a high level of speed and agility. Perform 3 sets of 5 reps on each side of the box, focusing on quick cuts and explosive acceleration. Coaching cues include 'fast feet' and 'eyes on the target.' This drill translates to game performance by improving a receiver's ability to quickly change direction and accelerate off the line of scrimmage, making them a more difficult target for defenders to cover.