The Ten Receiver Commandments

I. Thou shalt sit in the front row in meetings. Arrive early to guarantee an available seat in the front row. Countless research studies show that the further you sit from the teacher, the lower your marks. Every row you move further back from the coach, adds another row for potential distraction. What's better: to stare at the back of heads or right into your coach's eyes? The front row is engaging, helps with information retention, and forces you to focus.

II. Thou shalt catch everything. You're going to drop passes, unless your name is DeAndre Hopkins. So if you drop a pass, punish yourself. Don't swear all the way back to the huddle, but do something physical to hold yourself accountable. 10 push-ups for every drop is a reasonable punishment. Nelson Agholor had an issue with drops in his second year. To hold himself accountable, he started logging dropped passes the ensuing mini camp, keeping a running tally on a white board in his locker; to no surprise, that board was blank most of camp. Catch as many passes from your QB before and after practice, and hold yourself accountable for every drop.

III. Thou shalt run precise routes to the correct depth. Be efficient at the breakpoint and eliminate extra steps. Drive out and bring your head around for the ball; your body will naturally follow. Understand the difference between speed cuts and square cuts. Know the sticks and don't ever cut your route short, especially on 3rd down.

IV. Thou shalt never let a DB rest his hands. Be physical and violent. If a DB shoots his hands, be prepared to wipe or chop them away. You control the route. If you allow the DB to stay connected by holding onto you, you're giving him a free ride to the breakpoint. Get him off you!

V. Remember the playbook, all positions. If you don't know the plays, then you can't be trusted on the field. Every coach quizzes the wideouts to see who has been studying the playbook. Request the white board marker and prove your diligence. Know the x, y, z, b, or any other letters in your system; it's the fastest way to the field.

VI. Honor thy QB and want the ball every play. Build a relationship with your QB off the field to develop quick chemistry on the field. Study together, grill him with questions, and build trust. Make sure he knows that if all fails on any given play, you'll be open. It's okay to request more action your way; it shows confidence in your abilities and that your team will be more successful when the ball is in your hands. You better back it up.

VII. Thou shalt not complain, but lead. If you have any conflicts, be mature in how you go about resolving them. Schedule a private meeting with your coach discussing your usage or pull your QB aside and talk to him about your targets. Handle your business one-on-one and be respectful. It's okay to be passionate and emotional.

VIII. Thou shalt be a playmaker and look to score. Be aggressive and have a nose for the end zone. Give your coach a reason target you for screens and bubbles. Pick up first downs. Fight for extra yardage but know when it's time to go down. Cover the ball with two hands at the end of plays.

IX. Thou shalt study film and be most prepared. Know your opponent and his tendencies. Be able to recognize coverages as you scan the field at the line of scrimmage. Plan your attack accordingly. Kobe once studied how great white sharks hunt seals off the coast of South Africa, to understand patience and angles of attack. Do whatever it takes to build to your database.

X. Thou shalt dominate, every play. Always go 100% and never take a play off. Be mentally tough; you can rest after the game.