It’s easy to enjoy watching football. Playing it well is another thing altogether. If you’re interesting in finding out more, the following advice will help. Appreciate the sport more by reading the following article.

Safety is the first and foremost concern that you have in the game of football. Always practice the habit of safety, whether you are in the weight room, on the field for practice, during game time and even celebrating after a win (or coping with a loss). Wear proper safety protection at all times.

TIP! Learn to properly play football using both feet so that you can better your speed, along with your overall play. Many people favor one foot over the other, but you should learn to use both.

Study the other team’s formations to help you create a better defense. One key to anticipating plays is to watch the receiver, see where he lines up on the field. Watch tape of NFL games or college games to get a handle on how different formations look.

A “stiff arm” can come in very handy. Not only can you pick up a little additional ground, you could also get out of a tackle entirely. All you do is stick your arm out straight.

It is important for kickers to have goals, and a good one to start with is fifty yards. Weight lifting exercises are the way to build the strength you need to kick the ball for longer distances. Additionally, flexibility is key to long kick. Make a habit of stretching multiple times per day in order to find and keep flexibility.

TIP! You should be in good physical shape. Always start any fitness workout with slow stretches, then aerobic and other forms of exercise.

A successful field goal attempt can boost your team’s score. Field goals are sometimes a good option when in fourth-down scenarios. Only attempt this if the kicker on your team is in close enough proximity to get the ball through the goal post of the opposing end zone. A goal will give you 3 points.

Do shuttle runs if you need to build endurance and stamina. This will even help you with abrupt stops. Start one end of the field, sprint to the line for ten yards and touch it. Next, head back towards the end zone and tap the goal line. Do as many of these as you can each day of the week. Keep record of your totals to see improvements over time.

Try scoring with the rare fair-catch kick. If one team gets one punt from the other, they can attempt a field goal with a free kick in the play after the fielded punt. You kick the ball with the help of a holder. It is scored in the same way as any other field goal; and it gives you three points. It doesn’t count on the timer.

TIP! Should you be a kicker, your goal is to kick field goals at fifty yards. Weight lifting helps build strength which is essential for powerful, long-distance kicks.

Get off of the playing field if you’ve been hit by extreme weather. Football is one sport that is played regardless of the weather. This means snow, sleet and rain too. If conditions become too dangerous, however, the players stop playing. It’s best you follow suit. Playing in unsafe conditions can mean sprains and broken bones, neither of which you want.

A great tip, if you are a quarterback, is to practice your footwork. A quarterback with good footwork uses every motion efficiently, making every moment count. Split seconds are crucial in football. As a quarterback, you should practice twisting and back pedaling whenever possible.

Always build up your endurance. If you’re able to run without needing to catch your breath, any team will love to have you. If you happen to become winded, slow down and deepen your breathing. Focus on the fact you will be feeling better soon, getting you back into playing.

TIP! Endurance is as important to football as strength and speed. Work on cardio for about an hour almost every day.

You now see there is so much that goes into a football game that you might not have been aware of. Most people understand the game better when someone can show them the basics. This article has taught you the basics of football so you can enjoy the culture surrounding football with your friends and fellow fans.