a narrow notch, groove or opening, as in a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine.
A slot on a computer motherboard is one of the expansion slots used for connecting add-on devices such as graphics cards or memory. A slot can also refer to a connection assigned to a single user on a server.
During his time coaching the Raiders, Al Davis made it a point to recruit and develop players in the slot position, which is usually positioned between two wide receivers. He believed that players in this area could be more effective than those outside because they had the ability to run routes and have precise timing.
In addition to this, the Slot receiver can block for running plays, which are more likely to feature him than passing plays. Because he is in a position closer to the center of the field, he needs to be able to effectively block nickelbacks, safeties and outside linebackers.
As the Slot receiver’s role in the game has grown, more and more teams have been using him on a regular basis. This is partly because Slot receivers tend to be faster and more precise than their outside counterparts, which can make it difficult for them to get hit by defenders. Aside from this, Slot receivers also have the advantage of lining up directly behind the line of scrimmage, which can open up a lot more space for them to operate in.