What it is

A go route, also called a fly or a streak, is the simplest deep route. The receiver runs straight down the field, usually along the sideline, as fast as he can.

In a game

It tests a cornerback’s speed and tries to beat him over the top. The quarterback lofts the ball deep and lets the receiver run under it, so the throw needs good touch and the receiver must track the ball while running at full speed.

More detail

Offenses often use a go route as a decoy to pull defenders deep and open room for shorter routes. The defender’s best answer is to stay on the receiver’s inside hip, between him and the quarterback, and turn to find the ball late. Against Cover 2, a go route to the sideline is jammed by the cornerback and then passed on to the safety.

The route

The bright circle is the player running the route. The arrow shows his path. Scroll down to watch it as an animation.

Animated diagram

1. The receiver runs straight down the sideline as fast as he can.
2. The cornerback has to turn and run with him, trying to stay on his inside hip.
3. The quarterback lofts the ball deep, and the receiver runs under it. The throw is risky, but a catch can be a long gain.