There are few things that rival the passion that football players and football fans feel about the game. Players strive to do their best to give their fans an exciting game that is full of action, and hopefully full of lots of scoring points. If you are a player who is looking to improve your game, then continue reading to find ways to improve 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.
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!
Make sure you work on your mental game as much as your physical game when preparing for football. Although keeping in shape and practicing the drills is tough for anybody, the mental aspects of football are what trips most players up on the field. Make sure you’re as tough mentally as you are physically.
Remember that making a running play is a little different than making a receiving play. You want to take the football from the quarterback with only one hand. You don’t cover it up with both arms until you are about to be tackled. Make sure that you hold onto the ball until you hear the whistle stopping play.
Watch how professionals play to become better. Study professional players moves and begin using them when playing ball. It might be obvious, but by emulating great players, you can improve your game.
Always take the time to stretch all of your muscles before you begin to practice or play football. If you do not stretch you are risking hurting yourself, which can then lead to you not being able to play for a long time. Do the right thing and stretch before you start.
Play with a personal style. You shouldn’t spend the game upstaging your teammates or thinking about just you, but there are moment in a football game where your personality can shine, especially after an awesome tackle or touchdown. Do you have a special fist pump or shuffle dance you want to pull out. Go for it! Get your teammates involved too.
Learn by watching the pros. This doesn’t mean just sitting around and catching the game with your friends. Find a player who plays the same position as you and watch how they play. Examine how they move their feet, and what choices they make on the field. Try to emulate them in your own game.
There is an art to catching a football as rain pelts down. Avoid slipping by pointing your feet towards the ball. That allows you to control it when it arrives. Pay attention to your hips and chest as well; they should be aligned with your legs. Each hand should be on the sides of the football, in the front.
Increase your hips’ flexibility by spacing five cones about five yards apart. Run fast in a zigzag pattern by starting at the cone on one end and continuing to the other end. Lean toward the direction you intend to take, and keep your head high with eyes down field.
Speed is very important for receivers. To keep your speed up, establish a well-defined area to run. Find some weather-proof items, preferably cones, and use them to set off a running space of at least 10 yards. Run quickly between cones and time yourself. Now, begin trying to beat your time. This kind of sprinting improves takeoff speed.
Avoid practicing and playing in extreme weather conditions. While it is true that a football game can be played in virtually any condition, you never want to over do it. Football is played in snow, rain and on sunny days. If it gets too unsafe, they will leave the field. You need to, as well. Ankle sprains or worse injuries can be sustained in inclement weather.
Invest time in learning the plays, and invest money in books that teach the mental aspect of football. Regardless of what position you play, know every player’s moves and responsibilities. This makes a cohesive team that anticipates one another’s actions and thoughts. It does you no good to be an excellent quarterback if the rest of your team is not in sync with your mindset. You will end up being on a losing team.
Vertical leaping is a good thing to practice. You may consider this a skill for basketball players, but vertical jumping is critical in football as well. You need to be able to reach up and grab the ball when it comes at you. Or you need to leap over a pack of opponents on the goal line for the winning touchdown. The higher you are able to leap, the better your game will be.
If you can change direction quickly and without the opposition knowing where you’ll go next, you’ll be a master at football. If the offense doesn’t know you’re headed for them or the ball, or the defense expects you to go right when you go left, you’ll own the game and they’ll come out losers.
There will be times that opposing teams play rough or target you. If you think that they are deliberately trying to cause you physical harm, tell your coach. Do not retaliate on the field. It could lead to injuries, cause your team penalties and possibly get you thrown out of the game.
As already stated, the passion that football players and football fans feel for their game and their team is enormous. Football players who are looking to improve their game skills and make their fans cheer should use the tips from above. With practice and luck, you can help bring your team to a winning season.
