Before we get into the various pass patterns, lets have a look at the way defenses see the field.

There are two basic pass defenses- man to man and the zone.

Man to Man is difficult to pull off. If you have a personnel mismatch, which the offense will exploit, you'll get burned all day long.

In order to cover as much of the field as possible and give support to defensive backs who are covering speed burners, the Zone defense was developed.

There are many versions of the zone and just as many defensive systems that have been built over years of competition. I will attempt to explain the basic thinking and strategy of the zone.

The football field is chopped up into pieces: short (0-7 yards), middle (8-20 yards and deep (20+ yards). The field is then split into thirds: left, middle and right.

Last but not least are the flats on either side of the offensive formation where backs out of the backfield can catch a ball and gather a head of steam.

Every different version of the zone is unique but it all boils down to assigning defensive backs and linebackers to cover certain zones, not individual players.

For instance, Consider the left corner back facing a wide receiver: the LCB's job is to cover anyone in the short and middle left where the weak safety is supposed to pick up anyone going deep. Sounds complicated? It is. Many defensive play books are as big as their offensive counterparts. It also should serve to illustrate how a mistake in the secondary can mean an easy score.

Pass Patterns- Wide receiver

Wide receivers can line up anywhere on either side of offensive formation. They can run a near infinite number of pass routes or patterns but here are a few of the most common:

• Sideline The short sideline is a possession play. It puts the ball where only the wide receiver can catch it.
  
• Slant In The Slnt-In is a risky play that sends the receiver through the middle in hopes of splitting the zone. Of course a bad throw can mean an interception
  
• In & Out This speed route gives the receiver a chance to lose the pass defender with a smooth move and some speed.
  
• Hook The hook is an underused route which looks like a receiver is going deep then he slams on brakes and comes back toward the QB. If the d-back covering the play over runs it, he's open.
  
• Mid-range sideline again, the sideline route is thrown so that the only person with a real shot at the ball is the receiver. Stepping out of bounds after catching the ball can be very useful in stopping the clock.
  
• Middle Drag Sends the receiver across the middle challenging the range of the linebackers and the safeties.
  
• Deep Fly The fly pattern is a pure speed pattern. The QB basically throws it as far as he can and the receiver tries to run under it.
  
• Deep Post The deep post pattern is run toward the goalpost which gives the QB a point of reference in throwing the long ball.
  
• Deep Middle Sends the receiver to challenge the safeties which are responsible for this zone.
  
• Deep Out A difficult route that requires a very strong arm to throw but puts the receiver in a position to score.