::Wide receiver


Receiver::football    American::players    Position::split    Field::plays    Running::flanker    Canadian::usually



A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Wide receivers are among the fastest players on the field. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible receivers, as are all players in the backfield. The backs and ends who are relatively near the sidelines are referred to as "wide" receivers. At the start of play, one wide receiver may begin play in the backfield, at least a yard behind the line of scrimmage, as is shown in the diagram at the right. The wide receiver on the right begins play in the backfield. Such positioning allows another player, usually the tight end, to become the eligible receiver on that side of the line. Such positioning defines the strong side of the field. This is the right side of the field in the diagram shown.

The wide receiver (WR) is a position in American and Canadian football that functions as the pass-catching specialist. Wide receivers (also referred to as wideouts or simply receivers) are among the fastest and most agile players in the game, and they are frequent highlight-reel favorites. Examples of modern and retired wide receivers include Don Hutson, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent, Steve Smith, Sr., Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Brown, Desean Jackson, Dez Bryant, Brandon Marshall, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Randall Cobb, A.J. Green, Vincent Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr. Jordan Matthews, Anquan Boldin, Demaryius Thomas, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Victor Cruz.

The wide receiver's principal role is to catch passes from the quarterback. On passing plays, the receiver attempts to avoid, outmaneuver, or simply outrun defenders (typically cornerbacks and/or safeties) in the area of his pass route. If the receiver becomes open, or has an unobstructed path to the destination of a catch, he may then become the quarterback's target. Once a pass is thrown in his direction, the receiver's goal is to first catch the ball and then attempt to run downfield. Some receivers are perceived as a deep threat because of their flat-out speed, while others may be possession receivers known for not dropping passes, running crossing routes across the middle of the field, and generally, converting third down situations. A receiver's height and weight also contribute to his expected role; tall height and light weight are advantages at the receiver position.

Wide receivers, and the passing game generally, are particularly important when a team uses a hurry-up offense. Receivers are able to position themselves near the sideline to run out of bounds, stopping the clock at the end of the play (the last two minutes of each half in the NFL, and the last three minutes of each half in the CFL). (A failed, "incomplete", pass attempt will also stop the clock.)


Sometimes wide receivers are used to run the ball, usually in some form of end-around or reverse. This can be effective because the defense usually does not expect them to be the ball carrier on running plays. Although receivers are rarely used as ball carriers, running the ball with a receiver can be extremely successful. For example, in addition to holding nearly every National Football League receiving record, wide receiver Jerry Rice also rushed the ball 87 times for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 20 NFL seasons.<ref>Jerry Rice career statistics at SI.com</ref>

In even rarer cases, receivers may pass the ball as part of a trick play. Despite the infrequency of these plays, some receivers have proven to be capable passers, particularly those with prior experience as a quarterback. A remarkable example where wide receiver and quarterback even swapped roles was Kansas City Chiefs' WR Mark Bradley's 37-yard touchdown pass to QB Tyler Thigpen against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2 November 2008.<ref>Tyler Thigpen touchdown reception at NFL.com</ref>

Wide receivers also serve on special teams as return men on kickoffs and punts, or as part of the hands team during onside kicks.<ref>Peter Warrick career stats, receiving and punt returns at NFL.com</ref><ref>Receiver Randal Williams returns onside kick for touchdown at NFL.com</ref> Backup receivers could also serve as gunners on special teams



Wide receiver sections
Intro  Types   Notes