Being a fan is simple, but playing football well isn’t. You can easily learn more about football if you are interested in this sport. Read the advice in the article below to remind yourself why football is an awesome sport.

Keep safety in mind when you play football. If you are not safe, you do not win, so practice good safety techniques in all aspects of your life. Wear seat belts when driving and protective gear when working out.

Weight Training

Weight training is important in the game of football. It is important to engage in a year round weight training regimen specifically tailored to help your football game. To better both your speed and your strength, use a combo of basic lifting and lifting heavy weights, too. To be a winner, you must have both skills.

Always be a teammate who is supportive. Football really requires a strong team to win. You will rise and fall together. Never think of just you, think of everyone in the locker room. With that in mind, being a supportive teammate is essential to building confidence in those around you. When the whole group is confident, then it seems winning comes a little easier.

Use ladder drills to increase agility and coordination. These are an important part of any football fitness training. Use chalk to draw a ladder form and begin at one end and step out and in of the squares until you make it to the other end. In order to develop the proper technique, you should watch how the professional players practice this skill.

Learn to kick fifty yard field goals if you’re a kicker. In order to be able to kick the ball for a long distance, the kicker will need to incorporate leg strengthening exercises into their workout routine. You must also work on your flexibility in order to do long kicks with ease. During the day the kicker will need to stretch out their legs in order to increase mobility and to be more flexible.

Cardio Exercises

While it is true that football takes brute strength, it is stamina that keeps you playing. Doing cardio exercises daily for an hour will increase your stamina. Some examples of good cardio exercises are cycling, running and stair climbing. Exercises for stamina need to be easy so you can exercise for longer periods.

The right technique has to be followed when you catch a football and it is raining. Don’t slip, by pointing toes in the direction of the ball. You will also feel more in control when the ball lands in your hands. Make sure that your torso and hips are facing toward the ball, as well. Put your hands at the front and sides of the ball.

To improve hip flexibility, place 5 cones about 5 yards apart on a line. Start down by one side of your cones and make a zigzag pattern, running between each set at maximum speed. Lean in the direction you are going, and keep your head up while your eyes are focused down field.

One of the things you should already know is that you need shoulder pads. Before going out to play, you need to ensure that there is a proper fit. Make sure they aren’t moving around and in tip top shape. If there are any problems with your pads, it could lead to an injury in the game.

You should be careful when playing football in bad weather; sometimes you should stop the game completely. While it is true that a football game can be played in virtually any condition, you never want to over do it. You have probably see pro games take place during snow, rain and even sleet. Of course, if playing conditions are not safe, the game is stopped. You and your teammates should do likewise. From sprains to permanent injuries, bad weather can really hurt you.

When applying for a college football team, be sure to include a video of your games. Include highlights from games that show your speed, strength, accuracy, agility and dexterity. Include some of everything to demonstrate your complete player profile.

Get better on your feet if you’re playing quarterback. Great footwork is essential to great quarterbacking, because each second in the pocket is critical, maximizing the importance of each step you take. Backpedaling and twisting are two moves to practice as much as possible.

As you can see, there is a lot more to a football game than what meets the eye. Anyone can get into the sport if someone else teaches them strategies and basics. The above article will explain all you need to know to enjoy football.