Running a route as a wide receiver requires speed and precise break points. Running better routes from the wide receiver position requires an understanding of leverage and body positioning.
Two techniques commonly taught to wide receivers are the stem and stack. In football, the stem allows receivers to neutralize leverage on a defensive back within the first 5 yards by running inside or outside. Stacking helps receivers gain leverage in the vertical pass game.
In this article, we will show you how to run better routes at wide receiver using the stem and stack technique.
Stem and Stack
Every step the wide receiver takes when they get off the line of scrimmage matters.
We often see players like Julio Jones or Larry Fitzgerald dominate on Sundays. The casual fan thinks that their size, speed, and natural talent alone set them apart. However, they are also very technical route runners.
In the NFL, players are nearly evenly matched in speed, so they must find a way to win through leverage and positioning.
WR Stem In Football
The stem in football is when the wide receiver takes away leverage from the defensive back. In the picture above, the defensive back has inside leverage (the sideline is to the left). The first step for the wide receiver is to move inside to take away that leverage.
The receiver wants to stem the defender for a few reasons:
- Neutralize The Leverage
- Keep The Defender’s Hips Square
If you call a “fade” route or a “slant,” running as fast as you can downfield is only half the battle. Being able to own leverage is the other half.
Gain Leverage
Stemming is often used to neutralize the leverage on a defensive back.
Defensive players will often start the play with inside leverage. This gives the defensive back an advantage to play between the quarterback and the wide receiver. If the ball is thrown to the WR, it puts the cornerback in a better position to break on the ball.
Receivers can neutralize this leverage within the first few steps of the route. Splitting the defender down the middle keeps the defensive back’s hips square. When they are square (facing the wide receiver), it means they are backpedaling.
Keeping The Defender’s Hips Square
As shown in the picture above, the wide receiver needs to keep the defensive back’s hips facing him as long as possible. We do this for a few reasons:
- Get to top speed in our route
- To keep him guessing which way we’re running
Especially if the wide receiver is stretching the route vertically, we need to keep the defensive back from turning his hips and running as fast as he can with us. The receiver is faster forward than the defensive back is backward.
As the WR approaches, the defensive back eventually turns his hips (as shown in the video above). Closing this gap on a defensive back not only puts pressure on him but forces him to guess which way to open his hips. If we’re lucky, we can have him guess wrong and spin him.
WR Stack In Football
Now that the player has successfully been stemmed, we engage the stack. The stack is used to gain vertical leverage on a defensive back. If you notice in the picture above, once the receiver clears the defensive back, they will get directly behind them to own the vertical leverage.
Wide Receivers often stack for multiple reasons:
- Obtain vertical leverage on the defensive back
- Make the throw easier for the Quarterback
Vertical leverage is beneficial because it puts the defensive back in a trail position. The receiver takes an inside release in the video and immediately works back on top of the defensive back.
The stack is a great move to help slower receivers gain leverage downfield. Once the receiver has successfully stacked the defensive back, he controls the situation.
If the ball, by chance, is underthrown, the receiver can slow his route down (which creates a natural lean on the trailing defensive back) and then speed up to gain natural separation.
Helping The Quarterback By Creating More Separation
Stacking helps the quarterback throw the football downfield by giving him a better angle.
For example, if the wide receiver just took an outside release and didn’t stack, the defensive back would naturally be between the receiver and the ball. This means the quarterback would have to throw an arcing pass over the defensive back. Very tough to do.
If the wide receiver stacks the defensive back, the quarterback can miss left, miss right, or overthrow, and the defensive back will have a hard time recovering because they are in a trail position.
The video above will give you a better visual of how the small receiver controls the stem and stack situation.
Inside our membership vIQtory Pro, you’ll find exact instructions and tutorials on how to turn average wide receivers into dominant targets that can win vs any coverage.
If you’re looking to learn more about fundamental wide receiver play, read the articles below.
What Is a Slot Receiver Or A Slot Corner?
How to Beat Press Coverage In Football
Why Do Wide Receivers Point At The Sideline?
What Does A Tight End Do In Football?
Why Do Wide Receivers Wear Gloves?