Slot is the name given to a position on an aircraft, or more generally, a vehicle, that is used to carry cargo. There are several different types of slots, and they may be positioned in various ways. In some cases, they are mounted in the fuselage of a plane, while in others, they are attached to the outside surface of the wing or tail. A slot can also refer to a specific type of opening, such as a keyway in a piece of machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine.

A slot receiver is a special type of wide receiver on an NFL offense. They are typically shorter, stockier, and tougher than other wide receivers. They can also be a very important part of the team’s blocking corps, especially on running plays. They need to be able to block well enough to pick up blitzes from linebackers and secondary players, and they also need to provide protection on outside runs like sweeps or slants.

In addition to their catching abilities, slot receivers must be able to run a variety of routes and have excellent timing with the quarterback. They also need to be good blockers for the ball carrier on running plays, especially when they are called into pre-snap motion. This helps to protect the ball carrier and allows them to get open quickly. Slot receivers also need to be able to handle carries from time to time, such as on pitch plays and end-arounds.