In life, we have many hurdles which stand in our way. Sometimes they have to do with a lack of natural talent, while other times they’re based on a lack of knowledge. In fact, sometimes practice and research can give you something better than natural talent – read on to learn more when it comes to football.
Have a plan in place whenever you get ready to practice. You need to know your schedule, including how long you will spend on each drill. Have a list of drills you can use and then choose which you’ll do each day. Don’t forget to warm up before you begin!
Don’t ever step onto the field without your protective gear. The chance of a severe injury is extremely high. If you aren’t wearing the correct gear, do not play. The potential injuries you risk range from broken bones to outright paralysis. It could mean that you never get to play a game of football again.
Learning to recognize the opposing team’s formation is an essential defensive tool. You can tell a great deal about a play before it’s played by the line up of the receiver. Watch professional and college games to help understand the formations used, and create your own playbook with the different plays.
Practice all that you can. Football may look easy when watching it on television, but that’s far from the truth. It’s a very physically demanding sport that also take a lot of brain power. You need to remember patterns and think on your feet with little notice to succeed. All of this takes practice.
Take up a dance class to improve your footwork. Before you laugh, think back to reality television dancing competitions and how many times NFL players not only competed but succeeded! Ballroom dancing and even ballet are extremely effective at helping football players get an extra edge on the field.
A kicker should have the ability to kick a field goal from 50 yards. You can build up your strength for long distance kicking with some special techniques of weight lifting. Kicking the ball long also requires flexibility. It is easy to stay limber by stretching every chance you get in the course of everyday activities.
Use interval sprint training to really boost your stamina. Sprint for 30 seconds, then rest for 1 minute. Sprint and rest again. Keep repeating this until you can not physically spring anymore that day. Record your total number of sprints for that day, and aim to beat it by one the next day. Most days you won’t, but you will slowly edge that number up.
If you play football, you should workout outside of your football practice. Having a strong body can not only help you play better, but it can also keep you safe when you play. Take part in workouts that strengthen your entire body and that can help you when you play football.
Consider teaching others about all you know in regards to football. If you can give back to the community by coaching a team of six year olds, you will get an amazing feeling in your heart. You could also hold charity football games to raise money for local organizations as well.
The only thing that you really cannot alter is your height. You can get stronger, wider, faster and more skillful with practice. If you really want to be the best player possible, you can work at it and improve.
Work on your team work. Football is a team sport, and it is important that you and your team mates know how to work well as a team. While you are working on your skills and becoming a better player, share the skills you learn with your team to increase your game as a team.
If you are running with the football, cradle it close to your body. Players on the other team will try to strip the football away from you to force a fumble. If the ball is away from your body, it is much easier for the opposing team to make a play on the ball.
Listen for the whistle. Oftentimes, when a player does not hear the whistle or does not give it the attention it deserves, someone will end up hurt. Play when it is time to play, but stop as soon as the whistle is blown. You do not want to get hurt, nor do you want to help anyone else.
Be vigilant about staying hydrated with water during football practice and games. It is estimated that a football player wearing a uniform can become dehydrated in as little as 30 minutes. Water is essential for hydration, as well as for transporting oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of your body.
Great football players need to develop lateral agility. Practice drills that increase agility as a regular part of your routine. Set up a set of six lines with three cones each. Then step sideways over the cones with two quick steps. Make sure to lift the knees high as you go over the cones.
Stay in good condition to avoid becoming injured while playing football. Resistance and strength training are key. The type of endurance you need to build to stay strong will depend on your team position. No matter what position you play, power and strength are important.
If your jersey is just too tight, it’ll leave you uncomfortable as you play. Soak it in cold water for an hour and then wring out the water. Stretch it between multiple chairs or over a table so that it’s pushed just to its limit. Turn it half way to stretch it in two directions. Repeat until dry.
Some people are born to be big, wide and strong. Others are lithe and nimble, with an accurate arm. Some just have basic skills and yet still want to play better football. Regardless of your current talents, this article has provided you with some tips and tricks to better your game.
