Slot receivers are a hot commodity in the NFL today. They have a unique skill set that helps them stand out from the rest of the wideouts on the field.

Their speed allows them to fly past defenders when running a go route and their hands make them reliable in the slot. They also have a better understanding of the field than other receivers.

Despite their high-speed capabilities, slots are a difficult position to block. They are in a spot on the field that’s crucial for sweeps and slant runs to be successful.

They need to have an advanced ability to block, more so than outside receivers. They need to know which defensive players are where and when to move in their pre-snap alignments to seal off the defense.

A slot receiver’s pre-snap alignment is one of his best weapons on the field. They line up a few steps off the line of scrimmage, which gives them more options when they run routes and makes it easy for their quarterback to read them.

The way they move in the pre-snap alignment also dictates their strong suits, what they do on different plays, and how they can help the offense. On running plays, they can act as big decoys to cover up nickelbacks and other defensive ends.

They also use their speed and hands to confuse the defense on passing plays. When they run routes, their speed allows them to fly past defenders in the middle of the field. They can also be used as a quick target when the quarterback is running behind the line of scrimmage.