The seam route[1][2][3] is a route, usually played against a zone defense in American football, in which the receiver runs at the edges of a defender's coverage (for example, between the linebacker and safety), thus, on the "seam" between two or more coverages. It is not a route on its own, but the location of another route (typically fly route or post route). The seam[4] is the area where two defenders' areas of responsibility meet. The concept behind this is that the ability to complete a pass is increased because the defenders may be confused about which one of them is responsible for defending the player on the seam or; the defenders are trying to cover their area of responsibility which creates an open space equidistant between the defenders.
