When you step onto the field, your heart swells up. Your head is filled with the sounds of the crowd and your body begins to heat up. It is the passion of the game which overwhelms you, and your drive to win carries you forward. Read on to find out how to become a better football player.
Always play safely. No matter what you are doing to prepare for football, your health and safety should be the main priority. Always wear the proper safety equipment, no matter what you are doing.
When selecting which position you will play, consider your strengths. If you’re great at catching the ball and you are a fast runner, then you should fill such a position. If you are large, nimble and strong, then maybe you should be playing defense. If you have a great arm, go for quarterback!
In order to be a good football player you must be agile. To improve your agility practice doing agility drills. These types of agility drills include running through tires, jumping over cones and jumping rope. By doing these agility drills on a regular basis you will become a better football player.
The wide receivers are some of the most athletic and fastest players on the field. When the quarterback wants to throw, he usually looks towards the wide receivers to receive the pass. In practice, you should be training yourself to become a faster runner. Sprints are a great way to increase your speed.
Never be the stereotype. Often people see football players as jocks with few brain cells. You all know that’s far from the truth. Football works all aspects of who you are. Your mind needs to be as agile as your feet. So don’t play to this silly stereotype. Show people that athletes excel in all aspects of life.
Make sure you work on your mental game as much as your physical game when preparing for football. Although keeping in shape and practicing the drills is tough for anybody, the mental aspects of football are what trips most players up on the field. Make sure you’re as tough mentally as you are physically.
Get in shape for your next football game by practicing vertical power jumps. These are achieved by thrusting yourself in the air vertically as high as you possibly can. The goal is to build muscles in your legs. Bend slowly at your knees, then project your body into the air repeatedly, up to 20 times in a row.
Running backs are members of the offense. For a running play, the quarterback may pass the ball to a running back who will run the ball as far as he can. When the ball is going in the air, the running back may help protect the quarterback from tacklers or he may try to get open to catch a pass.
If you play a defensive position such as a linebacker or defensive lineman, learn to tip the ball away from the receiver. The best way to learn this is by watching film of successful tips and practicing with your teammates. When the ball is thrown, look at its trajectory and run toward where it will land. Then, jump and smack at the ball as it passes above you.
Don’t be afraid to be intimidating as a football player, because this can really help your game. When opponents think you’re bad and know you’re going to hit them hard, it can change the way they play and cause them to make mistakes. Be known as somebody they really don’t want to face, and you have an advantage before you even show off your real playing ability.
A good football tip is to make sure you have the appropriate gear on when playing. If you find yourself getting hit a lot, or hitting players often, it may be a good idea to invest in a mouth guard. A mouth guard will prevent you from messing up the inside of your mouth.
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.
A great football tip for everybody is to always make sure you have a solid meal before any game. You need to give yourself plenty of energy for the game, or else you’re going to be sluggish and unfocused. A generous amount of carbs and protein would be a good idea.
Proper padding for the lower body is a must. Pants can be purchased with pads built in or with pockets in them to slide the pads into them. No matter what type of pants you decide on, make sure that you have pads to protect the tailbone, knees, thighs and hips.
When playing, look for dehydration signs. One that is an easy one to spot is the color of your urine. If it’s a darker color then you are more than likely suffering from dehydration right then. You’ll need to take immediate action. Drink water asap, and make sure you keep hydrated from then on out.
The old saying “practice makes perfect” applies to the game of football as well. Don’t miss one of your practices. See if you can get a friend or a family member to help you work on your skills during your down time. The more you practice, the better you will be during the games.
Look for local training programs to better your regimen. Some gyms may offer football-specific classes or courses which can help you build your skills before the season starts, or even during it. Their expertise can give you advice which you couldn’t get from your coach or other players on your team.
Once the game is over, all that matters is that you had a great time playing. If you won or if you lost, the fun of playing will get you to your next game. The more research you do in the meantime, the better your next game will be, so keep reading and learning all you can.
