So many people love American football all over the world. That’s a fact. It’s a fun sport, but not necessarily a simple one to play. From a fan to a college player, the tips below will give you some great advice.

Always wear your safety equipment when playing football. There is a serious risk of injury if you do. If the proper safety equipment is not available then just don’t play. Possible injuries include broken bones as well as paralysis. These are just some of the things that may lead to your not being able to play again.

TIP! Do not ignore the concerns of your fellow team members. When you disagree, you should still listen and support them.

You can improve our agility thanks to drills. You will find football players to be very agile athletes. You should be able to avoid tackles as well as make catches. Anyone you are able to do to increase your agility should help your game play.

Always lend support to your teammates. Teamwork is crucial to a successful football team. You will win, as well as lose, together. Remember that you should never say “I”, rather, think in the sense of “we”. Supporting your team mates is the only way to build your team. When your team is confident, your win totals will skyrocket.

Learn about the best passing routes. Normally, receivers don’t run in a straight line up the field. Receivers typically have an arsenal of routes in mind, including slants and crosses. Receivers sometimes run forward in a play and then cut across the field. This is called a crossing route. A slant route is used by running the ball diagonally. Both of these routes move the ball quickly towards the goal line.

TIP! Agility can be increased through practice drills. Football requires great agility.

Learn to catch a wet football. Avoid slipping by pointing your feet towards the ball. When you catch the ball, this will give much more control. Also, your hips and chest should be positioned like the legs. Hold the football with your hands placed evenly on each side, pointed frontward.

Field Goal

Attempt a score with a fair-catch kick, although rare. Catching a punt that came from the opponents can give you a chance to go after a field goal during the next play. A holder positions the ball while the kicker kicks the ball into action. It is similar to a regular field goal and is worth three points. That down is not timed.

TIP! Understanding the opposing team’s formation is key to being a good defensive player. When you take a look at the offensive lineup, you can learn a lot about what their intentions are as far as the upcoming play.

Put 5 cones about 5 yards apart and line them up straight to improve hip flexibility. You should go through the cones while running in a zigzag as quickly as possible. Lean into the turn, and keep your head up while looking down the field.

To be great, you need to be physically fit. You need to watch your food intake and eat right. You need to know how your body responds and act accordingly. The slightest sign of pain needs to be dealt with immediately.

Shoulder Pads

TIP! Dance could be used as one part of your workout to improve your football skills. While dance does not involve lots of physical impact, it does develop great footwork skills.

One obvious piece of football gear are the shoulder pads. Ensure that your shoulder pads fit properly. You don’t want them to be too loose. Low quality pads could break because of a shock and cause an injury.

Give yourself a football break every so often. You shouldn’t let football take over everything in your life. Taking time away from the sport to discover your other interests can be a beneficial experience.

Don’t forget to mentally train yourself. Visualize your position and see yourself playing it. Many scientific studies show mental practice can offer help to how you play. Watch yourself over and over again tackling your opponent or making the catch and you will end up doing it in a real game.

TIP! You should try to make sure you can kick a 50 yard field goal, if you are in a kicking position. Weight training can help build the strength needed to kick very long distances.

Vertical leaping is something you should work on. This is a useful skill in basketball, but it also comes in handy in football. A football can be thrown a bit outside your normal reach, which would require a leap. Or perhaps you’ll use your vertical leaps to jump over the defensive line in order to score. Either way, the better your leap, the greater your chances for success.

Becoming a great football player requires lots of commitment and practice. Just remember to have one day a week for down time. You need some time to focus on other things in life to play the game well when you are on the field. Enjoy time off with the family in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

You must be properly hydrated when playing football. This allows your body to work harder. The pros keep away from sugary drinks like cola. Rather, they consume lots of water or beverages featuring electrolytes.

TIP! Field goal kickers are important players on any team. In fourth-down situations, kicking a successful field goal gives your team three valuable points.

So now that you know more about the game of football, keep on learning. Use this knowledge whether you are a fan needing to educate yourself, or a player looking to increase your skills. Whether you are playing or just watching the game, enjoyment is sure to be increased.