Football today is dominated by pass-first offenses. Quarterbacks are putting up ridiculous numbers in terms of touchdowns and passing yardage. This increasing number of passing plays has changed the way offenses look by utilizing three or four receivers in nearly every formation (fig 1).
Due to that change there are a greater number of notable wide receivers in every level of football. Historically, teams were more likely to use two or even just one receiver in their offensive formations (fig 2).
X Receivers:
An ‘X Receiver’ is the Split End – in other words, the receiver away from the strength of the formation (fig 3). The ‘X’ will usually line-up on the line of scrimmage and is the receiver most likely to see press coverage.
Z Receivers:
A ‘Z Receiver’ is the Flanker – the receiver lined up to the strong side of the offensive formation. The Z lines up off the line of scrimmage to allow the tight end (the last man on the line of scrimmage) to become eligible. Z’s are often a smaller receiver than the X, however, they typically compensate for a lack of size with speed. The Z is normally a team’s best deep threat and one of the fastest players on a team (fig 4). Notable Z receivers in the NFL include: Desean Jackson, Percy Harvin, and Brandon Marshal.
Y Receivers:
Most often the ‘Y Receiver’ is the tight end (fig 5). If the Y is on the line of scrimmage he is not eligible unless he is the last man on the line of scrimmage. So, by making him a blocking threat as well as a receiving threat, he is more difficult to cover. Y’s are generally used to catch passes in the middle of the field, in heavy traffic. Notable NFL Y’s (in the receiver sense of the word) include: Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzales, and Jason Witten.
A Receivers:
When a team runs a four wide or five wide set, the receivers’ roles change slightly. Teams don’t always have a great receiving tight end so the Y becomes a slot receiver. Offenses that utilize a tight end as well as three receivers will call the slot an ‘A receiver’ (fig. 6).
