There is no question that offensive efficiency is paramount in the red zone. Settling for a field goal rather than a touchdown can be the difference between winning and losing.

For pass-heavy offenses, the right combination of routes can help playmakers find space on a crowded field.

Josh Niblett, who has a 117-13 record in nine seasons as head coach at Hoover High School (Birmingham, Ala.), believes success in the red zone starts with game planning for each segment.

“As an offense, we don’t ever want to make it to the red zone,” the five-time state champion coach said. “Once we get over the 50-yard line we check the call sheet for what we have game planned for the fringe (45-25-yard line). That’s where we want to take our shots downfield.”

Getting in the end zone isn’t an easy task and that’s why creating a game plan is so important. It allows the offense to understand what protection scheme, formations and routes will work best against an opponent.

If Niblett’s offense cannot capitalize on a double-move or find success on a deep route he doesn’t panic. Instead, he goes to what he has planned in the remaining four segments of the red zone.

“Based off the down and distance we game plan for the 25 to the 20-yard line, 20 to the 15-yard line, the 15 to the 5-yard line and from the five to the goal line,” Niblett said. “Inside the 25 is where defenses really start to do more stuff like blitz and play cover zeroes. We want to spot match-ups pre-snap and identify as many defensive tendencies as possible.”

Niblett sends his playmakers in motion, creates bunch formations and shows empty looks in order to get defenses to reveal their coverages. It’s once a quarterback reads the defense that wide receivers, tight ends and pass-catching running backs learn their assignments.

“The biggest thing about being a successful receiver in the red zone is being able to get leverage on your opponent,” Niblett said. “Prevent the defensive back from taking things away from you. Attack and counter the leverage while constantly using your hand, body and feet to stay alive.”

When the game is on the line--especially in the red zone--Niblett puts faith in his best athletes to make a play.

“If you have a great athlete that is a man amongst boys I’d take my chances on him making a big play,” Niblett said. “To be a great receiver you have to be physical. Anyone can catch a ball, it becomes who wants it more and how much do you like contact. Wide receivers have to attack the ball at its highest point and win the 50/50 ball. That’s what makes a difference in the red zone.”

Here are some of the routes Hoover wide receivers run in the red zone:

Bang-8 route

Glance route (six step skinny slant)

3-step slant route

Back shoulder fade

Rub and pick routes

Shute route

Corner route

Sit route

No matter the route they’re assigned, receivers who are aggressive, tenacious and attack the ball have a chance to be a major factor in the area of the field where they can greatly impact team success.