Skills & Drills | Antoine Mason, Saginaw Valley State | Wide Receiver Drills

Antoine Mason is the wide receiver coach at Saginaw Valley State University, where he also serves as the co-Recruiting and summer camp coordinator. He will begin his fourth season with the program in 2025. Before joining the Cardinals, Mason held coaching positions at Northwood University, Lawrence Tech University, and Culver-Stockton College. Additionally, he is the CEO of Wideout Tech Performance, a company dedicated to training elite wide receivers. Here are some of the drills coach Mason teaches his wideouts.

Clock Drill

In this video, Coach Mason introduces his Clock Drill and the three progressions he uses to teach releases to his receivers. This drill is used during the offseason, where the focus is on developing individual players rather than team strategies. The three progressions of the drill—Release Point, Vertical Point, and Break Point—are designed to work together to simulate the creation of a receiver’s route.

Drill Setup:

• Place four cones to form a small box (approximately 1 yard x 1 yard).
• The receiver begins with one foot in the middle of the box and the other foot positioned at the 9 o’clock spot.
• The receiver faces in the opposite direction of the intended release point.
• For the second and third progressions, use an additional player, cone, or pad to mark progressions.

Release Point Phase:

• On command, the receiver plants at the 6, 3, and 12 o’clock positions on the clock, rotating on the foot inside the box.
• Once the receiver returns to the starting position, they execute a press-man release:
  • Perform a single jab inside.
  • Slip the outside hip of the defensive back (DB) to work vertically.
• Repeat the drill for both directions:
  • If going right, the left foot is in the box.
  • If going left, the right foot is in the box.

Key Coaching Points:

• Keep eyes, chin, and shoulders aligned.
• Shift weight onto the outside foot with every plant.

Vertical Phase:

• The receiver completes all steps from the Release Point Phase.
• On release, the receiver jabs inside and reduces their surface area by slicing past the DB.
• Use the inside hand to guide against the outside hip of the DB, aiding in slicing by.
• Once past the DB, the receiver slips their hip around and stacks vertically behind the defender.

Key Coaching Points:

• Maintain square hips.
• Gain ground while slicing and slipping around the DB.

Break Point Phase:

• The receiver completes all steps from the Release Point and Vertical Phases.
• After releasing, the receiver works vertically for 5-10 yards before breaking the route 90 degrees in one direction.

Key Coaching Points:

• Breaks should involve three steps:
  1. One big step to initiate the break.
  2. Two smaller steps to transition.
  3. Execute a clean 90-degree turn.

Using the Clock Drill, Coach Mason emphasizes the precision and technique necessary for receivers to excel against defensive pressure and execute crisp routes. This structured approach to training develops players’ footwork, balance, and route-running skills, making them more effective on the field.