Slot Receivers
A narrow notch, groove, or opening, as a keyway in a machine or slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position or place in a group, series, or sequence; an assignment, billet, or job opening.
In computers, a slot (also known as an expansion slot) is a set of closely spaced holes in a motherboard that accepts an expansion card containing circuitry for adding a specific capability, such as video acceleration or sound control. Almost all desktop computer systems come with a set of expansion slots.
Football coaches often emphasize the importance of having a good slot receiver on the team. They are a crucial part of the offense and help the team win games. A good slot receiver is fast, has great hands, and can run a variety of routes. He or she must be precise with their timing, as well. They should also have good chemistry with the quarterback.
Slot receivers are a rare breed in the NFL, and there are very few of them out there. The position was pioneered by the Oakland Raiders’ Don Davis in 1966, who wanted a second wide receiver that could line up inside or outside the formation. His vision became a reality with the arrival of John Madden as the Raiders’ head coach in 1969.
The defining characteristic of a slot receiver is his or her speed. A quick player can fly past the secondary, and especially the safety, when running a go route. They can also catch many short passes from behind the line of scrimmage. A good slot receiver will have a reliable pair of hands, and can catch the ball with ease at any depth.
Another important skill of a slot receiver is his or her ability to block. With a limited number of blocking backs, the slot receiver has to take on a lot of responsibility. They need to be able to fill the holes left by the fullback and extra tight end, and they need to block effectively in the running game as well.
When playing slots, it is vital to have a budget and stick to it. This will prevent you from getting sucked into the whirlwind of bright lights and jingling jangling noises that draw people to these machines like bees to honey. In addition, it is important to stay focused on the game and not on comps or bonus features. Psychologists have found that players of slot machines reach debilitating levels of gambling addiction three times as quickly as those who play traditional casino games. This is because slot machines trigger the same parts of the brain that are involved in drug and alcohol abuse.