So you want to become a better fan of football but you aren’t sure where to begin? Even though there is a lot to learn about the game, with simple tips about understanding strategies anyone can be well-versed on football. If you seek knowledge about the game and don’t know where to start, look below for all your answers!
You must stay healthy to play football. That means carefully warming up when you practice, go to the gym or play. Eat the right foods to build your immune system, too. In addition to that you must practice, practice and practice some more.
Attack every single play as if it were fourth and goal of the last minutes of the Superbowl. It’s not uncommon for players to begin to slack and just lazily move through the motions, which will come back to haunt them later. When you give it 150 percent effort with every play, you don’t have to question what may have been which benefits your team.
Concentrate on developing agility skills if you want to be a successful football player. Tackling and running are important parts of the equation, but agility is what sets you apart. Increase your agility by jumping rope, repeating precision jumps over small objects, and sprinting through tires in alternating patterns.
One of the best things you can do as a football player is to listen to your coach. While you may not agree with what your coach has to say, they are in charge of directing the team, not just you as an individual. Without the coach, there would be 11 guys running around in circles on the field.
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.
A great football tip when you’re trying to tackle is to attempt your tackle from a low position. Staying low will give you a lot more power and it will make it harder for the opposing player to be able to shake off the tackle. Not staying low could actually get you run over instead.
Being a good football player requires effort and dedication. Always go full speed during practice and give it your full effort. This will help you tremendously during game time. The continuous momentum and work during practice will allow you to be in top form during the entire game, not just at the beginning.
If you play a receiver position in football, work on the basic fundamentals to the position. Catch the ball with both of your hands, but secure it by holding it close to your body and covering it with your arms. Run towards the end zone, but also keep tacklers to your back. This helps you keep the ball and prevent a fumble.
It is important to always support your team. Football is most definitely a team sport. You will win, as well as lose, together. It’s about everyone on the team. Keeping this in mind, try to be supportive to your teammates by helping to build confidence in them. A confident team is a winning team.
When you practice, try playing with both feet. Most people favor one foot or the other and it takes practice to learn how to use both. If you concentrate on your weaker foot, you will notice dramatic improvements in form, stability and quickness. Kick the football repeatedly against a wall to strengthen your weaker foot.
Your team will score extra points if you’re able to kick field goals. If your team is at a fourth down situation, try kicking a field goal. If your kicker can make the goal, then go for it. Your team will gain three points for each field goal.
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.
Put five cones about five yards away from each other to improve hip flexibility. Begin at one end, and zigzag through the cones as quickly as possible. Lean toward the direction you need to go, head up and eyes looking down field.
Football players need to be aware of their body. You should be careful with your diet and pay attention to the way you feel after a workout session or after a game. Signs of restricted movement or pain should be attended to immediately.
You should be careful when playing football in bad weather; sometimes you should stop the game completely. It’s true that football can be played in many types of weather. This means snow, sleet and rain too. They always leave the field when it becomes unsafe! You should also not attempt to play football in dangerous weather. Playing in dangerous conditions can cause serious injuries.
Being aware of the time clock is very important when trying to succeed in a football game. When the game’s almost over, if you are down and have the ball, don’t allow your time to run out.
Know the defensive team’s basic positions. In total, eight of them exist. The defensive line consists of two outside linebackers, two safeties, the corner back, defensive tackle, defensive end and nose tackle. The lineup is different for 4-3 and 3-4 games. The two safety positions are strong safety and free safety.
Now that you read this great article about football, you see how it can be broken down and simplified so most people can understand it better. All it takes is a commitment to gather in as much knowledge about football as you can soak up. By reading these tips it has given you a great basis to figuring out this sometimes complex game.
