The QB Route Tree: 9 Routes Every Quarterback Must Know

Learn the 9 routes on the QB route tree: flat, slant, out, dig, comeback, curl, corner, post, and go. Coaching cues, depths, and how each route builds into passing concepts.

# The QB Route Tree: 9 Routes Every Quarterback Must Know

A kid showed up to his first session with me last summer and said he knew the playbook. I asked him to name the nine routes on the route tree. He got three. Called the slant a "quick cross" and thought the curl and the comeback were the same thing.

Most young QBs skip straight to concepts without knowing the foundation underneath. The route tree is that foundation. Every play call, every read you will ever make traces back to these nine routes.

If you do not know them by name and number, you are guessing. And QBs who guess lose.

## What Is the Route Tree?

The route tree is the universal numbering system for receiver routes. Every route gets a number from 0 to 9. No matter what offense you play in, no matter what level, these numbers mean the same thing.

Routes 0 through 4 break outside or come back toward the sideline. Routes 5 through 9 break inside or go vertical. Odd numbers break in. Even numbers break out. Once you know that pattern, the tree clicks fast.

## The Flat (0 Route)

The receiver pushes straight to the sideline at 1 to 3 yards. No stem, no break. Just get to the flat.

This is your safety valve. When the defense takes away everything else, the flat is there. It is a key piece of flood concepts, where the flat stretches the defense at the lowest level while other receivers work deeper.

Coaching cue: "Get to the sideline now. No dancing. No wasted steps."

## The Slant (1 Route)

Three steps and cut inside at a 45 degree angle. The slant attacks the space between defenders, gets open fast, and gives the QB a quick answer against pressure.

The key is the release. The receiver has to win at the line. One hard step outside to set up the inside break, then cut and go. For the QB, the ball should be out before the receiver makes his break. If you are waiting to see him come open, you are too late.

Coaching cue: "Sell outside, cut inside. Ball out on the third step."

## The Out (2 Route)

A hard break to the sideline at 5 to 7 yards. The receiver stems vertical, plants, and cuts 90 degrees toward the boundary. This route requires arm strength because you are throwing against the grain of most coverages.

The biggest mistake young QBs make? Throwing it inside. An inside out route gets picked. The ball needs to be on the outside shoulder, where only your receiver can get it.

Coaching cue: "Outside shoulder, on a rope. If in doubt, throw it out of bounds."

## The In / Dig (3 Route)

The opposite of the out. The receiver stems vertical for 12 to 15 yards and breaks hard inside across the field. The dig attacks the space between linebackers and safeties. Deliver the ball while the receiver is in the void, and it is a big gain every time.

In the Mills concept, the dig pulls the safety down while a post breaks behind him. This route shows up everywhere because it works everywhere.

Coaching cue: "Get depth. 12 yards minimum. No cheating at 10. Break hard, no rounding."

## The Comeback (4 Route)

The receiver pushes vertical for 12 to 15 yards, sells the go route, then plants and comes back toward the sideline at a 45 degree angle. The comeback tests timing more than any other route.

By the time the receiver plants and comes back, the ball should already be on its way. Wait for the break and the window closes. Trust the route.

Coaching cue: "Throw it before he turns. Back shoulder, on the numbers."

## The Curl (5 Route)

The curl and the comeback are cousins, but they are not the same. The receiver stems vertical for 10 to 12 yards, plants, and turns back toward the quarterback. The comeback breaks to the sideline. The curl turns inside toward the middle of the field.

The curl sits in the soft spot of zone coverage, right between the linebackers and deep defenders. It is a rhythm throw. You know the depth, you know the timing, put it on him at the top of his break. First downs live on this route.

Coaching cue: "Snap it down, face the QB. Big target. Do not drift."

## The Corner (6 Route)

The receiver stems vertical for 10 to 12 yards, then breaks to the corner of the field at about 45 degrees. This is the route that beats Cover 2.

In the Smash concept, the corner route pairs with a hitch underneath. The cornerback squats on the hitch, and the corner sails right over his head into the void between the corner and the safety. The receiver must stem inside before breaking to the corner. No telegraphing.

Coaching cue: "Stem inside, then break to the corner. If the corner squats, throw over him."

## The Post (7 Route)

The opposite of the corner. The receiver stems vertical for 10 to 15 yards, then breaks inside toward the goalpost. This is the big play route.

Posts attack single high safeties. The post bends behind the safety or splits him from the nearest linebacker. In four verticals, the seam runners adjust their path based on where the safeties are. Ball placement matters here. Deep throws need air under the ball, placed where only your receiver can get it.

Coaching cue: "Stem vertical, break to the post. Over the inside shoulder vs man, up the field vs zone."

## The Go / Fly (8 and 9 Route)

Straight vertical. Full speed. The go route is the simplest route to draw up and the hardest to defend when the receiver can run. No break. Just beat your man deep.

Even when the go is not the primary read, it clears out the top of the defense and opens everything underneath. The QB throw is a touch ball. Outside shoulder, let the receiver run under it. Overthrowing a go is better than underthrowing it. An underthrown go is an interception waiting to happen.

Coaching cue: "Stack the corner and run. Outside shoulder. If you have to miss, miss long."

## How the Route Tree Builds Into Concepts

Once you know all nine routes, you start combining them. That is where concepts come from. Smash is a hitch plus a corner. Flood is three routes at three depths to the same side. Spacing puts three short routes across the field and reads one defender.

Every concept is just routes from the tree, packaged to attack a specific coverage. Know the tree and the concepts click. Skip the tree and the playbook is just a pile of random plays.

## The Bottom Line

The route tree is not flashy. But it separates a QB who understands the game from one who is winging it.

Know the numbers. Know the depths. Know what makes each route work. Everything you build as a quarterback starts here.

If your QB is ready to go deeper and learn how concepts attack specific coverages, that is what we build at [QB Stable](https://theqbstable.com). Training that makes the game make sense.