Football is arguably the most popular sport in America. From junior high school games to the professional leagues, a great number of boys and men aspire to greatness between the end zones. If you want to be a better football player, or just have an idea where to start, keep reading.
Always be moving during the game. You must move to create space between you and the defensive players. Be sure to be aware of what is going on while moving. You need to be able to know when you have open space to turn and reposition yourself to receive the ball.
A valuable football fitness training technique is shuttle runs. These help to increase speed and endurance, while also having the added benefit of developing lower body muscles. Shuttle runs increase distance gradually, by reaching specific yard lines, then returning to starting position. The next yard line is a further distance away, and the action is repeated, typically by 10-yard lines.
Focus on improving your abilities leading with either side of your body. The majority of people perform better using their dominant foot. However, if you can use your other leg more, you can outmaneuver opponents and move more quickly.
A good football tip is to always make sure you’re properly hydrated. Football is a very fast paced sport and you can get dehydrated quick with each down and possession. In order to perform at your best, you need to make sure you’re drinking water as often as you can.
A great tip if you’re a runningback or even a receiver, is to run right off the back of a lineman. Your linemen are there for a reason. They’re trying to block a certain player in order to open up a hole for you. Take advantage of that by sticking to them like glue, making the hole wider.
Record your gameplay. Football is all about plays and patterns, so you need a way to watch how you specifically did out on the field. Was your pattern off? Was the quarterback expecting you in a different locale all together? Did you come up too short on your turn-around? When you can see it, you can change it much more easily.
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.
Try learning how to start a football game properly. The game should start with a coin toss. The team that wins the toss then gets to decide the end of the field they’d like to defend for the first half, or if they’d like to receive the ball. One team will kick the ball to the other. The kickoff will occur at the start of each half and after each score.
If your goal is to become a quarterback, make sure you practice with a lot of distractions. Although Tom Brady makes maneuvering in the pocket look easy, it’s actually pretty intense, and that’s the time most players make mistakes. Practice when you’re under lots of pressure and learn to make smart decisions with lightning speed.
Always drink plenty of water when you are practicing or playing football. It is very easy to get dehydrated during a game or during practice. This will not only impact your performance, but it could be dangerous as well. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after any football related activity.
Take up the practice of yoga. Many of the poses will help you build strength from your toes to your shoulders. The improved mind-body connection will also improve your coordination on the field. Mastering the art of conscious breathing will also give you tremendous self control over your body when on the field.
Nothing is more important than teamwork. People who want to be pro stars have a hard time remembering the team at times, but it is a must. The whole team wins, not just you. You’re not a good player if you cannot recognize the contributions from your team and accept the fact that teamwork produces better results.
It’s important to care for your body. You should watch the foods you eat and recognize how your body reacts to games and practice. Should you experience limited movement or pain, speak with your team’s doctor immediately.
Now that you have read this article, you should know a few tips about the game of football that you did not previously know. Apply them towards personal success on the field. Always remember that you can be a great football player when your knowledge of the game equals your physical abilities.
