The Football Route Tree: Every Route, Every Concept, Every System
From the 0-9 route numbering system to how Reid, Shanahan, McVay, and McDaniels design their passing attacks. The complete guide to understanding modern route concepts.
Founder, Eyes Up
- Odd numbers break outside, even numbers break inside—the universal rule that makes route calling efficient
- Think in concepts, not individual routes—good offenses design combinations that put defenders in conflict
- Same concepts, different terminology—Reid, Shanahan, McVay, and McDaniels run similar concepts with different names
- Every route has a purpose—short routes (0-3), intermediate routes (4-6), and deep routes (7-9) each attack different areas
Understanding the Route Tree
The route tree is a numbering system that lets coaches and quarterbacks communicate efficiently. Instead of saying “run 15 yards straight, then cut hard to your left toward the middle of the field,” a coach can simply say “run a 6.”
Every receiver from Pop Warner to the NFL learns this system. The tree is called a “tree” because when you visualize all the routes together, they branch out like the limbs of a tree from a single starting point.
The Core Principle
Odd numbers break toward the sideline. Even numbers break toward the middle of the field or stay vertical. This is the rule that makes the system work. Once you know it, you know which direction any route breaks just by hearing the number.
Short Routes (0-3)
Quick-hitting routes. 1-3 step drop for the QB. Ball out fast. High completion percentage, low risk.
Intermediate (4-6)
10-15 yard routes. 5-7 step drop. Attack the void behind linebackers. The bread and butter of NFL passing.
Deep Routes (7-9)
15+ yards downfield. 7-step drop or play-action. Shot plays that stretch the defense vertically.
Every Route from 0 to 9
Click any route to see the details. Use the filters to focus on short, intermediate, or deep routes.
Hitch
Also: Curl, Hook, Button Hook
Quick 5-yard route where the receiver stops abruptly and turns back to the quarterback.
Vertical
short
Stop and turn
- 1Run 5 steps at full speed, then stop
- 2Turn back toward QB, sit in soft spot
- 3Great against off-coverage (5+ yards)
- 4Timing route - ball arrives as you turn
Rule: Odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) break toward the sideline. Even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) break toward the middle or stay vertical.
Route Concepts: How Routes Work Together
Individual routes are just the building blocks. Real offensive football is about concepts—combinations of routes designed to attack specific coverages and put defenders in conflict.
Slant-Flat
Classic quick game concept. Inside receiver runs slant, outside runs flat. High-low on the flat defender.
Flat defender - if he jumps slant, throw flat. If he sits, throw slant.
The Key to Reading Concepts
Every concept has a “key read”—the defender the quarterback watches to determine where to throw. If that defender does A, throw to receiver X. If he does B, throw to receiver Y. Good offensive design makes the read simple.
How the Best NFL Coaches Design Their Passing Games
Four coaches who have defined modern offensive football. Each has a distinct philosophy, but all share one thing: they think in concepts, not individual routes.
West Coast principles meet Air Raid concepts. Short-to-intermediate passing that attacks between the numbers and hash marks, with explosive play-action deep shots.
- Routes primarily break between numbers and hash marks
- Levels concept: multiple routes at different depths on same side
- Heavy use of motion to reveal coverage pre-snap
- Play-action to set up deep shots
- Adaptable concepts that can be run from any formation
Levels (Hi-Lo)
Dig (15 yds) + Drive (5 yds)Two receivers run in-breaking routes at different depths on the same side. The deeper dig route clears space for the shallow drive underneath.
Spacing
Curl + Curl + FlatThree receivers find open windows in zone coverage. Usually from bunch or stack alignments with curls and flat routes.
Slant-Flat (Tare)
Slant (inside) + Flat (outside)Quick-hitting concept for 3rd-and-medium. Inside receiver runs slant, outside runs flat. Simple read for the QB.
Flood
Corner + Sail + FlatThree receivers attack one side of the field at different levels. Puts the flat defender in conflict.
Reid uses traditional West Coast naming. Play calls like "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" where each word has meaning: formation, protection, concept.
Super Bowl LIV game-saving play. 3x1 formation with Tyreek Hill running a "wasp" route (deep cross that breaks back to sideline). Won Chiefs their first Super Bowl in 50 years.
Why Teams Use Different Terminology
Walk into any NFL locker room and you'll hear different words for the same plays. A “slant” in Kansas City might be a “2 route” in New England and a “quick” in San Francisco. This isn't confusion—it's intentional design based on three offensive “families.”
West Coast System (Reid, Shanahan)
Play calls reference receiver positions and route concepts. Originated with Bill Walsh, refined by Reid and the Shanahan tree.
Erhardt-Perkins System (McDaniels, Belichick)
Concept-based calling. Each play has a memorable name that tells multiple receivers what to do. Enables no-huddle with 1-2 word calls.
Coryell System (Vertical Passing)
Three-digit route tree system. Each digit represents a receiver's route. More complex but very precise for vertical passing attacks.
The Routes Are the Same
Don't get confused by terminology. A post route is a post route in every system—the receiver runs 12-15 yards and breaks at 45 degrees toward the goalposts. Only the name changes. If you understand the underlying routes and concepts, you can translate between any system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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