Football has been around for a very long time. From the pigskin to the current artificial ball, changes have been plentiful. Read this piece to find out what it takes to better your game.
When trying to improve as a football player, don’t worry about putting weight on. Unless you happen to be really small, weight isn’t as important as other factors. Focus on strength, training and agility and you will improve your play. Put on too much weight and you may lose some advantages.
For receivers, having a variety of different routes is necessary to be able to shake the defense. Practice the post, fade, hitch and quick-out routes during every practice session. The more you practice them, the more they will seem like second nature to you. Come game time, you will be able to run them with your eyes closed.
Understanding the offense’s formation is crucial for defensive players. The location the receiver is lining up tells you quite a lot about their play before it’s played. Watch tape of NFL games or college games to get a handle on how different formations look.
A great football tip is to watch the tapes of a team you’re about to play before you play them. Studying up on your opponent will help you tremendously because it allows you to see the types of plays and formations they use. Having this knowledge will help you form a better attack plan.
Always be positive and supportive of all teammates. Football is a game that is primarily about teamwork. You and your teammates must win and lose as one. It is not “I”, but “we”. It is important to be supportive as a teammate. Being confident and supportive will allow you to play better.
If you are a receiver or running back, try bettering your stiff arm. A good stiff arm fends off defenders and helps you to gain extra yards. All you have to do is hold your arm straight out.
It can be extremely difficult to catch a ball that is wet from the rain. Keep from slipping by having your feet pointed at the ball during the catch. This gives you control. Keep your hips and chest in line with the legs. Put a hand on each side of the ball, towards the front.
Teamwork is very important. To be a good player you must put the team first. Wins depend on the entire team, not the effort of one player. Team work, communication and support are all important to making your team successful.
A great attitude wins games. Even the best players will fail if they are negative or unfocused. If you stay positive, targeting your goals as you play and practice, you will achieve them. Do what it takes to remember why you play in the first place to stay on top of your game.
Stretch all your muscles before practicing or playing a game and wear all of your protective equipment. Muscle injury is much more likely if you begin playing before your muscles are warmed up. Safety gear is required for a reason. Ensure that your helmet fits well because head injuries sustained while playing football can be extremely dangerous.
Along with physical training, you should have mental skills. Get to know everything about the game. Try to watch older games so that you can see all aspects of the game as a spectator. Being able to anticipate what others are going to do next and knowing when to implement strategies are what make the difference between ordinary players and extraordinary ones.
Remember, size does matter in football, but this does not mean being fat. Fat can hurt you as you age, especially when you stop working out and exercising as much. Instead, build muscle.
If you want to play like a pro, watch the pros. This means watching them on TV, whether they are playing or talking about playing. You can also look for videos of them on websites like Youtube or ESPN. This will help you figure out what you can do differently.
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.
Pay attention to where you are on the field at all times. You need to keep your head up and know where the other players and the ball are at all times. This will help you prevent accidental collisions that could injure you or the other player. Never watch the ground while running.
Learn the best tackling techniques by watching instructional videos and practicing their techniques often. The best videos will show that players should remain low and hit by lowering their shoulders and hitting the players in their midsection. Once you have learned this important tackling technique, you will be able to stop the majority of the opposing team’s plays.
Scout out the other team ahead of the game. This can teach you a lot and give you an advantage. You will learn how they play offense, and what styles and defensive plays they use. In turn, this lets you better prepare your defense and offense.
The dot drill is a great way to improve your quickness. Paint five dots on the field, one yard apart, in the shape of an X. Start on the dot in the lower left corner. Jump sideways to the lower right dot, and then jump to the dot in the opposite corner of the square. Repeat for 30 seconds.
When you learn as much as you can about any topic, be it building a shed or playing football, you will become better at it before you even begin. Just the fact that you are here, shows that you want to be a better player. You game will improve as you continue to learn.
