Between all the football lingo and slang remembering routes, play calls, and audibles can be confusing. That is why this article is on hand to break down exactly what a go route is in football.
In football a go route involves the receiver running in a straight line deep down the field. Go route can also be referred to as a fly route.
On this route, the wide receiver will attempt to achieve separation from the cornerback deep down the field.
The wide receiver may attempt a quick fake or juke at the line of scrimmage to establish a small amount of separation. But aside from that, the receiver will simply run in a straight line down the field to complete the route.
In most cases, wide receivers are going to be faster than the defensive back covering them. This is why this route does not need a cut in order to get separation from the defender.
Typically a wide receiver will get open on a go route by simply outrunning the cornerback down the field.
What To Know About Go Routes
Now that you know what a go route is it is time to learn a little more about this route. Below we will break down some of the key pieces of information a football player should know about go routes.
Receivers Need Speed Or Strength
One thing you need to know about go routes is that is going to require either speed or strength from the wide receiver in order to be successful.
This type of route is best suited for a deep ball receiver which tends to fit into one of two categories. Either the receiver is a tall and strong player that can win jump balls and make tough catches.
The other kind of deep ball receiver is not necessarily tall or strong but possess elite top-end speed which allows them to run past the defender as they go down the field.
Having one of these play styles is going to make wide receivers much more successful when it comes to running go routes.
Best Route For A Big Play
It is worth knowing that the go route is the best route to run if a team or player is looking for a big play. Every wide receiver dreams of the plays in which they make a deep catch to win the game.
Go routes are going to be your best bet at making this dream a reality. When a fly route is completed successfully you are either going to gain a large number of yards or a touchdown.
This is why go routes are one of the most desired routes for a wide receiver to run. If a receiver is getting targets on a go route then that means he is getting opportunities to get put up yards and touchdowns.
Shorter receiving patterns such as an in route or a slant route are rarely going to result in a big play.
They Are Often In Double Coverage
Another important factor about go routes is that the receiver will often find themselves fighting through double coverage on these routes. In most cases, this is going to be a safety and a cornerback.
The cornerback will start the play lined up against the wide receiver. The safety who is responsible for stopping deep throws will wait in the defensive backfield for a deep pass to be thrown.
Oftentimes when passes are thrown on a go route the quarterback will have to fit the ball over top the cornerback and underneath the safety coming from the middle of the field.
This often results in some very difficult catches for the receiver as the defenders converge on him.
Additionally, if there is no safety in the defensive backfield there is a much higher chance the pass will be thrown to the receiver.
A go route has a much higher success rate when in single coverage compared to double coverage with the safety.
One way to beat coverage is by using a stop and go route. This receiving pattern acts as a comeback route on the first cut, only for the receiver to cut back downfield for a deep pass.
