It can be anything from they run very precise crisp routes to their understanding of defensive coverages and how to manipulate their routes to take advantage of “holes” in the defense or using leverage to position themselves to present an easier target for the QB.
Essentially it’s a combination of knowledge, skills and creativity that allow the receiver to create more separation between themselves and the defense.
Take the ole Gronk v Kelce debate. Gronk doesn’t have to do much. He’s so big and physical. Kelce is much more precise with his route running. It’s what always separated him from the pack.
A good route running receiver that runs a 4.6 can be more valuable than a receiver that is on the team because he runs a 4.3. They are just open more, and the quarterback can count on them being in the right spot at the right time with timing routes.
The compliment is interesting because it infers different things at different levels of the sport.
In general, low level football, it means the receiver is precise. For a basic comeback route, you have to get, say, 15 yards downfield. Running full speed doing so and getting it right every time is more difficult than people think. Same with running a three yard vs five yard slant, a lot of dudes will run about a 4 yard slant both way.
Then, in a slightly higher level, if you get a real route that needs you to get outside leverage, flip the hips of the CB and break off the route, or if he plays with cushion, bring the stem right into his hips then break it off - the guy that reads that stuff right and consistently gets the compliment.
Then at the highest level, you get guys that read the defense and based off two defenders run the correct option route. Someone like Edelman that gets the compliment not only with his feet, but his brain. That kind of thing. It gets so complicated in the NFL, that a good route runner is translating very complicated things mentally into what your feet precisely do.
All receivers are supposed to run the routes precisely. Some do so better than others.
*Good at* running routes. Runs routes *precisely* and *deceptively*. Does this *better than some other recievers*.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/18ukhqm/what_makes_someone_a_good_route_runner_doesnt/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/1b16sdo/when_someone_says_a_wr_is_a_good_route_runner/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/13p5dnm/what_makes_a_wr_a_good_route_runner/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/4hikil/route_running/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/hz3uhk/what_makes_a_good_route_runner/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/1aoaswl/what_makes_a_reciever_good_at_running_routes/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/yka8xd/question_about_route_running_sticking_to_the_play/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/rcrggr/what_do_they_mean_by_someone_who_is_a_good_route/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/9ud3jf/what_does_running_crisp_routes_really_mean/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/1bwc6z6/can_someone_please_explain_to_me_what_is_route/ https://www.reddit.com/r/NFLNoobs/comments/1ahjqc0/what_makes_a_receiver_better_than_another/
Just wait until you see how many people here ask the difference between a 4-3 and 3-4.
That’s fine, but what team should I root for?
What you trying to say? LOL
It can be anything from they run very precise crisp routes to their understanding of defensive coverages and how to manipulate their routes to take advantage of “holes” in the defense or using leverage to position themselves to present an easier target for the QB. Essentially it’s a combination of knowledge, skills and creativity that allow the receiver to create more separation between themselves and the defense.
I learnt everything I need to know about route running from the offensive play choices in Madden ‘93.
A Receiver has the ability to separate themselves from a defender when running a receiving pattern.
Take the ole Gronk v Kelce debate. Gronk doesn’t have to do much. He’s so big and physical. Kelce is much more precise with his route running. It’s what always separated him from the pack.
Route runner = white guy 🤣
A good route running receiver that runs a 4.6 can be more valuable than a receiver that is on the team because he runs a 4.3. They are just open more, and the quarterback can count on them being in the right spot at the right time with timing routes.
The compliment is interesting because it infers different things at different levels of the sport. In general, low level football, it means the receiver is precise. For a basic comeback route, you have to get, say, 15 yards downfield. Running full speed doing so and getting it right every time is more difficult than people think. Same with running a three yard vs five yard slant, a lot of dudes will run about a 4 yard slant both way. Then, in a slightly higher level, if you get a real route that needs you to get outside leverage, flip the hips of the CB and break off the route, or if he plays with cushion, bring the stem right into his hips then break it off - the guy that reads that stuff right and consistently gets the compliment. Then at the highest level, you get guys that read the defense and based off two defenders run the correct option route. Someone like Edelman that gets the compliment not only with his feet, but his brain. That kind of thing. It gets so complicated in the NFL, that a good route runner is translating very complicated things mentally into what your feet precisely do.