It is relatively simple to be a avid football spectator, but putting on that uniform and getting in the game takes a some special understanding and skills. If you want to learn to play well, these tips will give you some good, basic information. After reading this article, you will have a firm foundation in football.

When playing football, it’s important to be safe. No matter if you are at practice, at a game or just working out, safety must always be a priority. Wear the right gear and use your helmet.

TIP! Weight lifting is vital when you play football. Year round weight training helps you optimize your skills.

Attack every single play as if it were fourth and goal of the last minutes of the Superbowl. It’s easy to become numb to the action, and go into a play half-heartedly. But you can soon regret it. Give it you all during every second of every game, and you won’t ever have any post-game regrets.

Learn how to use your feet effectively for better speed and overall performance. Everyone has a foot that they lead with, which offers better performance when running. If you’re able to adapt the other foot, you’ll be able to quicken the pace, along with being able to out-maneuver the opposing team better.

You can increase your agility and coordination by doing ladder drills. This is important when it comes to training for football. Sketch an imaginary chalk ladder, start on the bottom, stepping into, and out of, every square till you get to the top. This technique needs correct development. Use Internet videos to see just how the pros train this way.

Field Goals

Field goals are the ideal way to gain points. When they’re on the fourth down, try kicking a field goal. 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. Field goals result in three points.

Try using shuttle runs for boosting endurance, stamina, and developing your ability to do abrupt stops. Start at one of the goal lines; run up to the 10 and touch it. Turn around and return to that goal line, touching it. Try to do as many of these as you can each day, and record how many you accomplish to see yourself improve as time goes on.

TIP! If you want to improve your overall game-play and speed in particular, learn to play using both of your two feet. Most people have a lead-off foot that they rely on, and usually preform better with.

Warm up before practicing and working out. Without a warm up, you could be injured more easily which can result in not being able to play for an extended period of time. Exercise to build a strong body with the muscle to help your game, and always stretch before playing.

Improve flexibility in your hips by putting five cones about 5 yards from each other in a line. Begin at one end, zigzagging between them while running at top speed. Keep your eyes peeled ahead, and simply lean your body in the direction you choose.

If you do not give football your full effort, you will not achieve full success. If this causes the whole team to lose, you will kick yourself for it. Always wear your passion on your sleeve, and work to being the best possible.

TIP! Stamina is just as important as strength in football. To boost your stamina, you’ll need to choose a cardio exercise, then work on it for an hour (at least) every day.

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. Report restricted movements or pain to team physicians immediately.

Try paying attention to the amount of time that’s left on the game clock and using that to help your team. If it’s near the end of the game and you have got the ball and you are down, don’t try running down the clock.

When you think about where you will play ball, you should be cognizant of how well you can play. If you try to play at a level too high, you will end up out of your league. However, if you underestimate your skills and ability, you could end up in a level that does not challenge you.

TIP! Make a touchdown. Making a touchdown is the biggest goal.

If you are interested in playing college football, you should consider making a video of yourself in action. Add as many highlights as possible, including examples of your agility, speed, strength, accuracy and dexterity. Make sure that you highlight all aspects of your game, demonstrating a well-rounded skillset.

Include a DVD that highlights your play time with college applications. Apply to several that are at the level you wish to play at. Your first choice may not recruit you to play for them, so you need to have options.

If you play the quarterback position you will need to quickly scan the entire field to check out the defense. Quarterbacks need to make sure to scan right to left as well because many forget. When you alter your scan pattern, you prevent the opposing defense from being able to blindside you as easily from the left.

TIP! Using the best techniques is vital to catching footballs in the rain. Point your feet in the direction of the ball to avoid slipping.

There is a lot to learn about the game of football! If you are willing to learn, and someone will teach you, football is easy to understand. This article was a great beginning, but continue your learning any time you can.