Wide Receiver Route Tree Explained (with Diagram)

Last updated: November 6, 2026 · By Jake Turner

Wide receiver routes are the predetermined paths a receiver runs after the snap, and the route tree is the standard diagram that organizes them. Each route has a number, a name, and a break point, so a quarterback and receiver can call the same play using the same words. If you want to learn wide receiver routes quickly, start with the route tree, which shows which patterns break outside, which break inside, and how deep each one goes.

This guide covers the numbering system, the core short, intermediate, and deep routes, how coverage shapes route choice, and practical ways to build your route running.

Key Takeaways

• The route tree is a diagram that shows the standard routes a receiver can run in one place, and it is a common way to organize them.
• The high school and college route tree numbers routes 0 through 9, with 0 as the hitch-type route.
• Odd-numbered routes break outward (except the 9 route), and even-numbered routes break inward.
• Outside the three-step passing game, NFL routes generally break at a depth of roughly 12 to 15 yards.
• The comeback (route 3) breaks at a 45-degree angle toward the sideline.

What Is the Wide Receiver Route Tree?

The route tree is a diagram that shows the standard routes a receiver can run, with each route assigned a number and a name. Wikipedia describes a route tree as a way to show all the various routes in one diagram, and it is a common way to organize routes for teaching and play-calling.

A route is the path a receiver follows after the snap, including the depth where he breaks and the direction of the break. Route trees are used from youth leagues through the NFL, though teams often add their own names and variations. The core value is shared vocabulary: when a quarterback calls a number, the receiver knows exactly where to go.

How the Route Numbering System Works

The high school and college route tree numbers routes from 0 through 9, with 0 as the hitch-type route, according to the Wikipedia entry on wide receivers. Two rules decode most of the numbers: odd-numbered routes break outward except the 9 route, and even-numbered routes break inward, as explained in an SB Nation guide to the wide receiver route tree.

Route number	Common name	Break direction	What to know
0	Hitch	In	Very short, quick stop-and-turn throw
1	Flat	Out	Short route to the sideline, often run by backs or slot receivers
2	Slant or in	In	Short, sharp cut across the field
3	Comeback	Out	Breaks back toward the sideline at 45 degrees
4	Dig	In	Breaks flat across the middle
5	Out	Out	Sharp break toward the sideline
7	Corner	Out	Breaks toward the corner of the end zone
8	Post	In	Breaks toward the goalposts
9	Go or fly	Straight	Deep vertical route with no break, the one odd-numbered exception

Route 6 is less standardized, so check your team’s playbook for its meaning. Names and exact breaks also vary by team, so treat this table as the common baseline rather than a universal rule.

Short Routes: Flat, Slant, and Hitch

Short routes get the ball out quickly and help you gain yards after the catch. The flat, slant, and hitch are the most common short patterns, and quarterbacks often use them as rhythm throws against pressure.

What Is a Flat Route?

A flat route is a quick out-breaking pattern, usually run by a running back, slot receiver, or tight end. The receiver takes a few steps upfield and then breaks toward the sideline, creating a short target near the line of scrimmage.

What Is a Slant Route?

A slant route is an inside cut, typically after one to three steps, at roughly a 45-degree angle. Coaches like it because the ball arrives quickly, which helps against man coverage when you can win inside before the defender recovers. For a broader set of starting patterns, see this guide to essential patterns for wide receivers.

What Is a Hitch Route?

A hitch is a short route that gets upfield a few steps, then stops and turns back toward the quarterback. It is the route type that Wikipedia identifies as route 0 in the common numbering system, and it works well as a safe option when a defender sits back in zone.

Intermediate Routes: Comeback, Curl, Corner, and Post

Intermediate routes break in the middle of the field and are the main tools for moving the chains. The comeback, curl, corner, and post are among the most common patterns, and each one exploits a different defensive weakness.

How Does the Comeback Route Work?

You sprint vertically, fake a fade, then break back toward the sideline at a 45-degree angle. Bleacher Report’s guide to the basics of the route tree notes that the comeback (route 3) breaks at this angle, and that routes outside the three-step passing game commonly break at about 12 to 15 yards.

The timing is the hard part. The quarterback has to throw the ball as you turn, often to the back shoulder, so the defender cannot close in. Hand positioning matters too, because the catch happens while you are turning and the ball is coming from a difficult angle.

How Do Curl Routes Create Opportunities?

A curl route runs vertically for a few yards, then turns sharply back toward the quarterback. It is most effective against zone coverage, where defenders drop and leave soft spots just beyond the first-down marker.

What Is a Corner Route?

A corner route is an out-breaking pattern toward the sideline and the back corner of the end zone, which makes it route 7 in the standard numbering. It works against both man and zone coverage when you can create enough space on the break.

What Is a Post Route?

A post route is a vertical release followed by a cut toward the goalposts, which makes it route 8. It targets the deep middle of the field and is especially useful against two-high safety looks, because it attacks the space between the safeties.

Deep Routes: Go and Fly

Deep routes stretch the defense vertically and create the biggest plays in the passing game. The go and fly routes are the core examples, and they usually run straight up the field to pull safeties away from the line.

A go route, which is route 9 in the standard tree, is a straight vertical route with no break. Its main purpose is to test the defense deep, which can open underneath space for shorter routes. Success depends on speed and on a precise throw that arrives as you reach the ideal separation point.

Why Do Deep Routes Matter?

Deep routes force defenders to respect the vertical threat, so they cannot cheat up and stop short routes. When safeties backpedal, underneath routes have more room to work. The trade-off is timing: a deep throw that arrives early or late is often incomplete or intercepted.

How to Read Coverage With the Route Tree

Your route choice depends on the coverage. Slants and quick outs are usually the first options against man coverage, while curls and digs help you find space against zone.

1. Identify the coverage before the snap by checking how many safeties are deep and whether defenders are lined up tight.
2. Against man coverage, favor quick routes such as slants and outs that create separation fast.
3. Against zone coverage, look for soft spots with curls, digs, and corners that settle between defenders.
4. Adjust after the snap if the defender reacts differently than you expected, and tell the quarterback through a hand signal or a pre-agreed adjustment.

How to Learn the Route Tree

Learning the route tree works best in stages, starting with the numbers and then adding depth and timing. Build the vocabulary before you add speed and precision.

1. Memorize the numbering rule: odd numbers break outward except 9, and even numbers break inward.
2. Learn the short routes (0, 1, 2) first, since they teach the basic break mechanics.
3. Add the intermediate routes (3, 4, 5, 7, 8) and practice the depth at which each one breaks.
4. Finish with deep routes (9) and practice timing with a quarterback or a passing machine.

For a quick study tool, a printable football route tree makes it easy to review the numbers before practice.

Communicating Routes With Your Quarterback

Clear communication is the foundation of any route combination. The best teams agree on route depth, timing, and adjustments long before game day, so the quarterback and receiver are reading the same play.

• Agree on the depth where each route breaks, since a yard or two can change the timing completely.
• Use hand signals or eye contact for quick adjustments, especially in loud stadiums.
• Review game film together to see how defenders react to specific routes.
• Practice one-on-one sessions to build trust in each other’s throws and breaks.

Practice Drills to Improve Route Running

Route running improves through repetition, and the best drills isolate one skill at a time. Focus on agility, consistent depth, and explosive first steps.

• Agility cones: Set up cones to practice sharp cuts and tighter breaks.
• Depth markers: Run each route to a specific depth so your timing with the quarterback becomes consistent.
• Resistance band sprints: Use bands to build the first-step explosion you need to beat press coverage.
• Concentration catches: Add distractions during catch drills to simulate pressure in traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important wide receiver routes for beginners?

Start with the slant, flat, hitch, comeback, and go routes, since they cover short, intermediate, and deep areas of the field. These routes teach the basic break mechanics that make other patterns easier to learn. Once you can run them at the right depth, add curls, digs, and posts.

Why do wide receiver routes have numbers?

Numbers let a quarterback call a route quickly and let the receiver know the exact pattern without a long verbal description. The standard high school and college tree numbers routes 0 through 9. Teams may change names or numbers in their playbooks, so always confirm the system your team uses.

What does an odd-numbered route mean?

In the common system, an odd-numbered route breaks outward toward the sideline, with the 9 route as the exception because it runs straight. An even-numbered route breaks inward toward the middle of the field. This simple rule helps you guess the direction of an unfamiliar route call.

How deep do wide receiver routes go?

Outside the three-step passing game, NFL routes generally break at roughly 12 to 15 yards downfield, according to Bleacher Report’s route tree guide. Short routes break much earlier, while deep routes like the go continue straight past that point. Depth varies by route, play design, and team terminology.

What is the difference between a slant and a hitch?

A slant is a sharp inside cut at about a 45-degree angle, usually after a few steps. A hitch is a short stop-and-turn route where you gain a few yards and then come back toward the quarterback. Slants are more aggressive, while hitches are safer against tight coverage.

Do all teams use the same route tree?

No. The numbered tree is a common teaching standard, but many teams add their own names, depths, and variations for specific plays. Learn the standard tree first, then study your team’s playbook for the exact definitions.

Conclusion

Wide receiver routes make more sense once you understand the route tree, its numbering rules, and the break points that define each pattern. Start with the short routes, add intermediate and deep patterns with careful timing, and read coverage to choose the right route. Practice your depths with your quarterback, and keep a route tree diagram close while you study.