A narrow opening, such as a hole that accepts coins, in something. He dropped the coin into the slot and dialed.

In the NFL, the term “slot” refers to a receiver’s position on the field. A wide receiver who lines up in the slot is positioned between the last man on the line of scrimmage and the outside receiver. This positioning allows a receiver to move up, in, or out, and provides the quarterback with multiple routes to run when passing.

Typically, a wide receiver who lines up in the slot has top-notch route running skills, especially when it comes to precise timing. Because they often have to run tighter routes than their outside counterparts, Slot receivers also need to develop good chemistry with the quarterback in order to maximize their potential.

A slot receiver is a key member of any offense, as he is able to attack all three levels of the defense when properly utilized. This is why many offenses now feature two or more wide receivers that line up in the slot.

Slot receivers must also be able to block effectively, as they’ll often act as the ball carrier on pitch plays and reverses. This is why a great slot receiver must have excellent speed and agility, as well as be able to effectively communicate with his offensive teammates. If a Slot receiver can master these aspects of the game, he can become a dangerous weapon for any team.