Have you ever wanted to sit down and watch a game of American football but you do not understand the basics of the game? This is a fascinating sport which is as much about gaining territory as it is about scoring points. For further insight into one of America’s most loved sports, read on.
Understanding the rules of football is just as important as practicing drills or building your strength and stamina. Be sure that you know all of the rules of the game inside and out, and quiz yourself once in a while to help cement the knowledge in your mind as you play.
In order to improve speed and overall play, you must learn to play with both feet. Most people have a lead-off foot that they rely on, and usually preform better with. However, if you can use your other leg more, you can outmaneuver opponents and move more quickly.
It is very important that you do everything to keep your body in shape if you want to be a football player. The game requires a lot of physical exertion, so being out of shape will only make you more susceptible to injury. Dieting and exercising will help you get into good shape.
For anyone wanting to play defense, it’s vital to learn how to read each of the formations of the other team. Where the receiver lines up can tell you a lot about the play before it is played. Watching football games will teach you the different formations that teams use.
Learn about the different types of football. Tackle football is the kind of football that is played by the NFL, which is very physical. Flag football involves pulling a “flag” or ribbon off an opposing player. Touch football involves “tackles” where you just touch another player using both of your hands.
A great way to keep yourself in top form for playing football is to run at least 3 miles a day. This is an excellent exercise for your cardiovascular system. When you are near the end of your run, find a hill to run up and down before finishing. This will help increase your strength and play at your best longer.
Take every chance you can to study football footage, but when you can, study footage of yourself. Try and see yourself through an opponent’s eyes. Look for tells or signs of what you are about to do, as well as habits you have that are predictable. Always have a way to keep your opponent guessing.
To play football, you need to know what a down is. Downs are the four attempts that the team with the ball gets. They use these downs to advance the ball 10 yards. When the offense is successful with gaining 10 yards, they will get another set of downs. If they fail to get 10 yards after the four plays, the opposing team gets the ball.
A good piece of advice if you’re a runningback or a wide receiver in football is to learn to give into a tackle and to not resist it. By this I mean it’s important not to get too tense when you’re about to get tackled because it may result in an injury.
Sometimes football players need to bulk up their muscle mass for their position. Football players must eat large amounts of the right kinds of foods. Find nutrient rich foods that provide healthy calories. Blend olive oil and other healthy ingredients into health shakes, pasta dishes and vegetable blends.
If you play football, you should workout outside of your football practice. Having a strong body can not only help you play better, but it can also keep you safe when you play. Take part in workouts that strengthen your entire body and that can help you when you play football.
Hand-eye coordination is needed to catch a pass. To practice hand-eye-coordination gather your teammates together and form a circle. One person should stand in the center of the circle and begin passing the ball around. Once the ball has been passed to everyone, widen the circle by taking a couple of steps backwards.
Always pretend that there is a scout watching you play. Do this at games, at team practices and even when you practice alone. If you keep your form up every time you play your position, you are teaching your body exactly how it has to move to be successful.
To help protect yourself when playing football it requires a full uniform with the proper equipment. Referees will not let you on the field if you aren’t wearing a helmet, pads for your shoulders, knees and a cup to protect the groin area. Be safe, and always wear the necessary equipment, otherwise you might find yourself carried off the field on a stretcher.
Don’t try to turn every down into a big play or a scoring opportunity. Think of football as a game that moves ten yards at a time. When you try to make a big move every time you have the ball in your hands, you will leave your team open to turnovers.
Now that you have read this article you should have a better idea of how the game of American football is played and what each team is striving to do. Next time a game is on, take the time to sit down and watch. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy it.