Ron Lewis, assistant coach at Baldwin Wallace University (Ohio), knows that connecting on a deep route can really change the outlook of a game.

He also knows that getting reps on deep routes—and learning to master the intricacies of catching the deep ball—can be challenging.

That’s why Lewis, a recent guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast, has created drills to help his receivers get accustomed to executing the intricacies required to run a successful deep route.

To help his receivers learn to get a clean break from the line of scrimmage, Lewis lines up one cone on the goal line and one cone on the 10-yard line, forming an imaginary line. The receiver starts at the cone on the goal line with a defender covering him.

The receiver must get a clean release and get back to the imaginary line by the time he gets to the 10-yard line. The defender’s goal is to prevent the receiver from running his route.

“Whether you have wide receivers giving you a look or defensive backs, even better, who can be in that drill, their side of it is they want to keep the kid from getting back on that line.”

As the receiver progresses, Lewis narrows the distance, causing the receiver to work to get back on his route even more quickly.

This sort of timing is critical to the success of deep routes. It also helps receivers develop the use of their hands.

“We work at least twice a week on getting hands off during a route,” said Lewis.

To recreate the angle of catching a deep pass, Lewis likes to get creative.

Lewis will have a quarterback go to an area in the facility where he is far above the receiver, like the top of stadium bleachers. There, the quarterback will simply toss the ball down from that height, simulating what a deep pass might look like angling down toward a receiver.

Lewis said this helps players get used to catching the ball at that height without having to run a “50-yard bomb every time.”

Listen to the full Coach and Coordinator episode with Lewis here.

Work on your passing game this summer. Sign up for a USA Football 7on7.