Among the many roles a slot receiver can have, one of the most important is blocking. This role is especially important when an outside running play is made. Usually, the slot receiver is smaller than outside receivers. It is because of this that they have to be very agile.

Slot receivers line up about three to four steps off the line of scrimmage. They will then line up slightly in the backfield. This is called the low slot. They will then have plenty of room to run their routes.

When the quarterback is trying to get the ball snapped, he often calls for a slot receiver to come into the pre-snap motion. This gives the quarterback a read on the defense. The Slot receiver then positions himself in the slot between the last man on the line of scrimmage.

The slot receiver has to be able to chip outside linebackers and safeties. He may also need to chip defensive ends on run plays. He can run routes or slants. He also has to have good hands. The slot receiver is also a great decoy for the quarterback for future plays.

A slot receiver’s blocking is more important than an outside receiver’s. Because of their smaller size, the slot receiver has a lot more options than an outside receiver.

The slot receiver can also be used to chip a defensive end. For example, if the defender is blocking a running back, the slot receiver can chip him.