None of the above.
The read progression is randomly determined by these things (there are more than five I'm sure):
1) The distance of the passing play.
2) The number of receivers running the route at that distance.
3) All other receivers running routes at all other distances.
4) Your QB's FOV attribute (supposedly).
5) Arm strength (I have never once seen this prevent a QB from attempting to make a throw).
At the snap, the WRs whose routes match the distance of the play have the highest possible chance of becoming the the primary receiver on the play, but this is not guaranteed. So a Short passing play will most likely have the receiver running the Short route as primary, but it could have the backside receiver as primary.
But wait there's more.
The QB reads each receiver until he finishes a route to decide whether to throw. So that Short route may finish and the QB may decide not to throw the ball to that receiver. At that point, the QB reads the next route, which could be the long route, and therefore never looks at the other short route (again).
But wait there's more.
Once a receiver finishes the designed route, he runs freely. Typically, the receiver will run upfield and usually into space. BUT if the receiver is coming back to the LOS, he'll keep running backward. That is, of course, unless he was running a quick hook and then at that point he'll run upfield again.
But wait there's more.
DBs have not clue how to cover free running WRs. So it's best to have routes where the WR can hit the end of the route quickly and start free running. This gives you the best chance to succeed in the passing game.
If the QB happens to read them.
Last edited at 9/12/2017 11:36 pm
