If you want to play football well, take advantage of the advice presented here. You grow as both a person and a player when you keep learning all you can about the game. This article will provide you with a valuable perspective and some great playing strategies.

Make sure your body stays healthy so you can go on playing. This includes warming up properly before practice, at the gym or playing the game. You need to eat right and follow good hygienic practices so you can give the immune system a boost. When you’ve got all that, it’s then down to lots and lots of practice!

Learning to read the formation of the opposing team is essential when playing defense. The location of the receiver can give you lots of information about which play is going to be run. Watching football games will teach you the different formations that teams use.

Dancing can be great training in order to become a better football player. Even though dance isn’t as rough-and-tumble as football, dancing can help you work on your footwork and being light on your feet. Having good footwork on the football field can greatly improve your agility.

Kickers should aim to make field goals of fifty yards or more. One of the best ways to kick long distances is to build your strength using a variety of weight lifting techniques. It is also a good idea to improve your flexibility. Stretch daily to become more flexible.

It takes a lot of strengthen to play football, but you have to have a lot stamina as well. Increase your stamina by including cardio each day for an hour or two. You can run, jump, or use an elliptical. You want it to be something easy, so you are able to do it for longer periods, increasing your stamina.

You can help score points by kicking the ball through the goal. Try a field goal attempt on fourth down when in the kicker’s range. That ought only be done when your team is near enough for the kicker to kick between goal posts into the end zone. Three points are given for field goals.

Avoid playing football in extreme weather. Yes, football is a sport that’s played in all sorts of weather. Pro games are played in the rain and the snow. If it gets too unsafe, they will leave the field. You should also do this. From sprains to permanent injuries, bad weather can really hurt you.

Send potential colleges a video of highlights for coaches to watch. You should apply to several schools where you desire to play football. If you have a lot of choices, you are in the driver’s seat.

As the quarterback, it is your responsibility to thoroughly scan the defensive line from left and right and vice versa. Many quarterbacks will only look from side to side. But learning to gaze in multiple directions at once will help you avoid being blindsided.

Make sure conditions are appropriate for the game. Is the field a safe place to be on? If you’re going to play with friends, you should avoid any areas that have holes and dips. Pay attention to the weather and dress appropriately, remembering to drink plenty of water if it is a hot day. Consider these things ahead of time so you can keep your mind on the game when you are playing.

While a large size can sometimes be of a benefit in football, you don’t want to get fat. Fat leaves you unhealthy and tired. You want to keep body fat low, and focus on adding muscle mass instead.

You should learn how to leap vertically. While this may seem important for basketball, football has a need for it as well. If you can out jump a defender, you may be able to catch a pass that was throw a bit too high. If your opponent goes low, you might be able to jump over them. Either way, you will be better if you perfect the skill.

No football player wants to make careless errors. However, they happen from time to time, and no one can be perfect. Still, using what you have now learned to help you become a better player is ideal. You will feel more confident now that you have learned how to improve your abilities.