A slot is a narrow notch, groove or other opening, as in a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. A slot is also a position in a group, series or sequence.

In football, a slot receiver is a wide receiver that lines up pre-snap just behind (or slightly ahead of) the outside wide receivers and slightly in front of the tight end or offensive tackle. The Slot receiver gets his name because he typically lines up in the “slot,” which is a great location for running routes such as slants and routes that require quick cuts and a lot of agility.

A Slot receiver is also a key blocker on running plays, as he can help get the ball carrier through holes and to the outside edge of the defense. And, because he lines up closer to the line of scrimmage than the other wide receivers, a Slot receiver is often in a good position for sweeps and slants that require good blocking.

While a Slot receiver does a lot of different things well, his strongest suit is his ability to break through coverage and run a route that matches up with the other wide receivers in the formation. This helps the offense keep the defense guessing, and it can lead to big plays.

Another important attribute of a Slot receiver is his speed and quickness. He’s able to catch the ball in stride with his teammates, and he can easily outrun defenders down the field. In addition, he has a good understanding of the game, and he can often anticipate where the ball is going to be thrown by the quarterback.

A Slot receiver is usually a fast player, and he can be a valuable weapon on any team’s offense. However, he needs to be able to make the correct adjustments when his team’s offensive plan changes. Otherwise, he’ll find himself behind the other wide receivers and could miss out on big plays.