There is a great deal of satisfaction in being able to invade enemy territory, then outsmart, outmaneuver, and outrun the defense to successfully receive a pass.

Becoming a fine pass receiver is not easy. You must have excellent speed, faking ability, change-of-pace, quickness in your movements, and a sure pair of hands. A team's passing attack is only as good as its receivers. Many players can do everything but hang onto the ball. So first of all, you must become a "glue fingers"!

1. You should always try to catch the ball in your hands, with control by your fingers. You must train yourself to be relaxed when you receive the ball. Relaxed fingers and hands will not drop the ball. Day after day of practice, and catching every football that comes your way in practice, will help you develop this total relaxation.

2. As the ball approaches you, keep your eyes on it until you have it in your hands. We say that you must "look the ball into your hands"!

3. You must be able to catch the ball over either shoulder and while running in full stride. You should be able to snag the ball whether moving right or left, going forward, or coming back toward the passer for a pass thrown short.

When you receive the ball over your right shoulder, your fingers should point upward and your palms should be toward the ball, with your left hand slightly higher than your right hand. When you catch the ball over your left shoulder, your fingers and palms should be held the same way, but your right hand should be slightly higher than your left hand.

WHEN A PASS RECEIVER has gotten behind the last defender (left), his jumping ability becomes very important. Keep your fingers and hands relaxed and remember to "look" the ball into your hands (right) .

4. On a deep pass, where your catch is apt to be made as you are running in full stride toward the goal line, you raise your hands as described above, and slightly turn your head to pick up the ball with the "corner" of your eye. Again, you "look" the ball into your hands.

1. As a receiver, you must give your passer a good target. He must be able to see you. You must be able to fake the defenders into thinking you are about to go in one direction, then move quickly in another direction which will lead you into the open. It helps if you are a good blocker. Then, the defense must consider the possibility that perhaps you are going to block for one of your teammates instead of receive a pass.

2. You must be able to stop and start quickly. You must develop the ability to maintain good balance while you are making cuts and running full speed at various angles.

3. It is a good idea for you to read Huddle 2, on passing. A thorough knowledge of the passer's movements and maneuvers will make you a better receiver.

1. You must "think" yourself into being a good decoy! When you go into the defensive secondary on a pass pattern and are not the intended receiver, you must convince the defense that you are going to catch the ball! It is up to you to be such a good actor that you will pull the defensive secondary oward you. Then, your teammate, who will actually receive the ball, is left uncovered and in the open.

2. Too many decoys give themselves away! They loaf a little bit as they move into the defensive secondary. They do not run quite as hard, maneuver quite as sharply and quickly, as when they are to receive the pass themselves. The defense isn't fooled and a shift is made to cover the real receiver.

1. The general idea of most specific pass patterns is to get one topnotch pass receiver behind all defenders. Then, a well-thrown pass, properly caught, will result in a touchdown. You must learn how to trick the defenders as to your true speed, getting them to move slowly and then catching them off balance as you step on the gas and pull away from them.

2. A topnotch receiver should be able to get up in the air! If you can boost yourself up to a good height and snag the ball without having to wait for it to come down to you, you can prevent the defenders from knocking the ball down or intercepting it. Once you are in the end zone to receive a pass, jumping ability is very important. If the pass is thrown high, you can get up to catch it before it goes out of the zone. If you have defenders around you, battling with you for the ball, your ability to out jump them can mean the difference.

3. Outside the end zone, too many receivers are content to catch the ball, then let themselves be tackled for whatever gain they have at the point they caught the ball. Once you have the ball, use all your open-field running ability, going as far as you can ... all the way for a "T.D.," if possible.

4. It is important that you learn to maintain control of the ball once you have it in your hands. You will often be tackled just as you receive the ball, or immediately after catching it. You must develop "quick hands" to get the ball down out of the air and into a secure position in your arms.

5. Remember, the main thought in every pass receiver's mind, after making the catch, should be to put the ball down in the end zone for a six-pointer.

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