Many people develop a love of football from a young age. Football is their life and they are always looking for ways to improve their game and score points. If you are one of those players, then here are some ways to help you score points and help your team score.
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.
Have a plan in place whenever you get ready to practice. You need to know your schedule, including how long you will spend on each drill. Have a list of drills you can use and then choose which you’ll do each day. Don’t forget to warm up before you begin!
You must go all out on each play as if you were competing in the Superbowl. Many players do not play like this and regret it later. If you put your all into it, you’ll never have regrets. And, your team will be more successful than ever.
To improve your game play and speed, make use of both your feet often. You may have one good foot, and it’s likely the one you use most. If you can learn to use your other foot as well, you can pick up your pace, and out-maneuver your opponents better.
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.
Treat all of your fellow players, even your opposition, with the respect they deserve. Football is a taxing sport on body and mind. Everyone that plays is a warrior in his own right. It shows great courage and teamwork. Keep that in mind, and don’t react poorly to misplays and losing. Treat your fellow players the way you’d want to be treated.
Hit the weight room around the year. Staying in a peak condition is a bit harder than getting there. You want to be in that state at the start of the season or even before. Then, use weight training to keep up your conditioning through the course of the season.
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.
If you aren’t mentally in the game, don’t play. Let your coach know if you are not feeling well because of a loss, a fight, a break up, a bad grade or anything else which might be getting you down. He can talk you out of it, or allow someone else to play for you.
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.
Even if you suck at football at first, remember that it takes time to get good at anything. The more you practice and learn about the game, the better you will get. As long as you put the effort into getting better, it is bound to happen for you in time.
Make sure the weather conditions are safe when you play a game of football. Football is played in all weather conditions. You’ve watched the pros play through some harsh weather conditions, and even they will take precautions. But, if things get dangerous, they always get off of the field. You should make sure that you do the same thing. Serious ankle sprains and broken bones can happen when playing in severe weather.
Learn the proper way to hold a football when throwing. When you throw the football, your pinkie and ring fingers should cross the laces and your thumb should be underneath the ball. The palm of your hand should not make contact with the ball. Hold the ball loosely and point your feet towards your intended target.
Learn to scan defenders from right to left and left to right if you’re a quarterback. Many quarterbacks will only look from side to side. When you alternate your scanning pattern, you’ll keep the defense guessing, and you won’t be consistently blindsided from the left.
You should always check out the conditions before playing a game. Be sure the field is safe and even. Avoid areas with dips and holes in the terrain when you play recreational football with friends or are practicing. Make sure that you and your friends dress appropriately for the weather. If it’s hot outside, bring plenty of water so that you can stay hydrated. Before playing any game make sure that you plan ahead to help remain safe.
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.
As you already know, many people develop a love of football from a young age and continue to work on their skills to be the best player that they can be. All football players strive to be their best. Use the tips from above to help you improve your skills and practice all you can.