A slot is a narrow aperture or groove. In computing, a slot is a hardware or software element that allows for expansion. For example, a computer motherboard has several slots for expansion cards, and some computers have internal slots to accommodate disk drives. A slot is also a term for a position in an organization or team. For instance, a football player’s “slot” is the position he or she plays on the field. The slot for a player can change from game to game, depending on the needs of the team.
A player’s “slot” can also refer to a place in an organization, such as the executive committee of a company or organization. Likewise, a person’s “slot” in an organization can be defined by his or her responsibilities and duties.
In the NFL, a Slot receiver is a wide receiver that lines up slightly in the backfield. Because of where they line up and their pre-snap motion, Slot receivers tend to be much more agile than outside receivers. In addition to catching passes from the quarterback, Slot receivers may be asked to run routes like end-arounds and pitch plays. They also often act as a big decoy for running plays, making it harder for defenders to get close enough to tackle them.