Fade Route-Techniques, Progression

Coach,
We tell our receivers to come off of the ball about 3/4 speed and run right at the CB looking back at the QB.
When the QB releases the ball, break to the sideline and ajust on the ball. We want to get leverage on the CB late, not early because if it is eearly the DB can recover, and go get the ball. It will be approx. 22 yds. down field.
Dunn

We teach the fade by having the receiver align on the top of the numbers, drive off and work to the bottom of the numbers. The QB has to put the ball 18-22 yards between the numbers and the sideline. This has helped us increase the number of receptions on the Fade route because the receiver has room to adjust to the ball and the QB doesn't have to be perfect with his throw.

How many times have you heard a coach say place the ball on the sideline so we get it or no one gets it? More often than not, no one gets it. Now we get it more than not and it doesn't have to be a perfect throw.

Coach Easton -

We still throw the ball over the outside shoulder but we now have more room for the receiver to adjust to the ball since the receiver is at the bottom of the numbers when the ball is thrown. This has increased our completion percentage and reduced the interception rate. As always, a ball not thrown over the outside shoulder is a dangerous throw and plays into the hands of the defense.

When I was coaching college ball at a small college in kansas, the head coach was from the NFL and had Buddy Ryan ties from Philly to Arizona. He had us run the route this way so I assume he got it somewhere in his NFL travels.

What are some combinations you use with the FADE route. Does #1 always do the fade? or #2 because you will have more clean air outside of him? Twins or single side receiver sets?

Jim

We like to run our fade to a twins or trips side. Outside Z (1) has fade. number 2 slot has seam or convert to speed out vs cover 2 in order to hold the corner down. TE (3) has a get open - attack the cover 2 safety to hold him or the middle cover 3 to hold him. I teach my number 1 to line up at the top of the numbers and burst 3 step release to the bottom of the numbers at 60 degree angle to squeeze out the coverage shade then snap into his vertical stem to attack at the C's inside shoulder. When you have eaten up his vert. shade and made him turn and run with you - you then attempt to slide by him and cut back in front of him to "cut off" his path. This takes some practice to make a smooth elbow slide in front of a defensive guy in order to edge ahead of him and cut his path off. Once you have him pinned behind you the QB has the bottom of the numbers to the sideline to make the throw -- just like the coaches above discussed. We like the extra room to work with and as long as the WR does his job pinning the safety the throw is still ours or nobodys unless the QB really leaves it short.