Playing football with advanced skill is a goal for many people. Unfortunately, simply watching games is not going to get you to this kind of level. You must learn about football to become great at it. Use these tips to become a better football player.

Safety gear is important when playing football. There is too much risk of injury without it. Don’t play if you don’t have the proper gear. Injuries include fractures and bone breaks, paralysis and even major brain injuries. You won’t ever be able to play football again if you get a serious injury.

Practice your skill at kicking a football. Kicking isn’t always a primary football skill, yet it’s a critical one. Too many people that play football do not spend enough time bettering their kicking game. If they don’t practice, they can have problems kicking the ball.

To get better at speed, improve your foot work on both feet. Most players have one lead-off foot they tend to rely on, and perform better with. By adapting the other foot to serve as a leading foot, you will not only increase your speed and takeoff, but also your maneuverability.

Be a supportive teammate. Football really requires a strong team to win. You and your teammates must win and lose as one. It’s never an “I”, it’s a “we”. When you are supportive as a teammate, the players around you build confidence. When your team is confident, your win totals will skyrocket.

Stiff Arm

A wonderful tip when you’re a receiver or running back is to learn to stiff arm. A stiff arm strategy can buy you time and yards in a crunch, and can completely protect you from a defending player. Stick out your arm in a straight line.

Observing professionals play can help you become a better player. Watch their moves and try to do them yourself. It might seem pretty obvious, but the greatest players are the ones that study from the best and learn.

Make a touchdown. This is the goal of each football team. A player has to run the ball through the other team’s defense or catch a pass after they cross into the end zone. If the ball is held over that line, a touchdown is made. Touchdowns are worth six points.

You should know a lot about football to be good at it. You need to keep reading for better tips to assist you in getting to that skill level. Keep learning what you can about the sport, and put what you learn into play.