Do you like the sport of football? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you know about the sport? No matter your answer to that question, this article is going to help you with some things. You can always benefit from new advice, and becoming the best player you can be is what it’s all about.
Prepare for football by practicing some kicks. Though it is not the most important part of the game, its importance cannot be understated. Many people play football but very few work on the kicking part of the game. This causes issues.
One of the most important things you can do when playing football is to stay healthy. This means always taking the time to warm up before practice, hitting the gym, or playing a game. You should also build your immunity by eating nutritious foods and practicing proper hygiene. On top of that, practice, practice, practice!
Don’t concern yourself over your weight immediately. You may think that you need to gain a ton of weight to be a great football player, but really all you are doing is becoming fat and slow. More important is your conditioning. You want to be able to perform with the weight on you, so consider adding weight on slowly and with a good fitness plan.
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.
Try to focus some of your exercises on increasing speed. Do jumping squats to increase the speed of your reflex muscles. Squat down and jump on a step. Stand straight up and then jump back down and into a squat. Repeat this exercise 40 times daily and gradually increase the height of the step.
Learn to be precise in your patterns. It can’t be emphasized enough the importance of precision. Just a few feet in any direction and you won’t be in place to make an important tackle or to catch the football that’s been thrown to you. This takes a lot of repetition during practice, so be ready for it.
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.
Learn the proper technique for catching a football. The best receivers know that the quicker they can grab the ball, the less likely the defense will get it. To catch a ball extend your arms and reach for the ball as it gets close to you. Then tuck the ball to help avoid fumbling the football.
Be sure to drink lots of water or a sports drink as you play. Being in the hot and heavy equipment you have to wear to play football safely will leave you sweating buckets. Replace that water by drinking so that you don’t end up with a cramp or an injury.
Football training takes a toll on your body if you do not have a consistent recovery plan. This does not mean taking time off from training during the off-season periods. It means allowing your body to recuperate every night and on days off. Get at least eight hours of sleep every night, drink plenty of water (not sodas) and soak in epsom salts three times a week.
Eat a healthy diet when you play football. When your body is fueled correctly it can perform a lot better. Eating healthy proteins, whole grains and fruits and vegetables can help you feel better and play better. Try your best to eat a healthy diet and you’ll find it can enhance your play.
Remember the basic positions on an offensive team. There are eight basic of them. They are quarterback, halfback, fullback, wide receiver, tight end, offensive tackle, offensive guard, and center. The quarterback is generally the one player that both runs the offense on the field and leads the team when huddled.
Play the position that works to your personal strengths. If you strong, fast and good at catching a football thrown from different angles, play safety or wide receiver. If your body is bulky and you have a lot of strength, play defensive or offensive tackle. If your good at kicking the ball with accuracy, you may be the perfect field goal kicker or punter.
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.
Talk to your coach about your progress. While your coach is more than likely giving you a lot of direction already, talk to him after practice. He might be calmer then, and he may be able to offer you tips about how you can improve. You can ask him about how far you’ve progressed, as well.
Avoid becoming comfortable with the position you play. You need to know what each and every position entails so that you make things easier for your fellow players on the field. This is a great way to improve the strength of your team and should improve your chances of winning.
How do you feel now that you’ve had a chance to review the information in this article? You surely are now motivated to get out there on the football field to play. Remember to always practice and search for more helpful knowledge so that you can continue to improve your game.
