Everyone has an idea about football and what makes it such a great sport. Many people see football as a way of life. The following information will open your eyes to this game.

Listen to your teammates. Even when you disagree with fellow players, remember that you are all there to win. You never know when they might say something that can improve your ability to help the team win.

TIP! Each play should be made as if it is the one to win the game. It’s easy to become numb to the action, and go into a play half-heartedly.

If you’re going to participate in football, it’s vital that you wear safety gear. The odds are very high that you could be injured. Don’t play if you don’t have the proper gear. Possible injuries that can occur are broken bones and paralysis. Avoid this from happening if you want to play the game.

Always play safely. Stay safe no matter what you are doing. Always wear the appropriate protective equipment and stretch your muscles first.

Maintain a healthy body to keep playing. Warm up carefully every time you do something strenuous. You must also keep your immune system healthy through proper nutrition and maintain good hygiene. Practice to ensure you do techniques correctly as well.

TIP! Agility can be increased through practice drills. One of the most agile athletes are football players.

Your playing time is often a matter of how much work you put in when practicing. Natural talent definitely plays a role in your development as a player, but without a solid work ethic you will never be great. Your coach would prefer a hardworking player over player that has natural abilities and is lazy.

Learn to kick fifty yard field goals if you’re a kicker. You need to build up your strength with a well-rounded weight lifting regimen if you ever hope to kick the ball long distances. You also need flexibility for long kicks. Stretch daily to become more flexible.

Stamina is just as important as strength in football. If you want to enhance your stamina, choose any easy cardio exercise and perform it for a minimum of 60 minutes every day. These kind of exercises include biking and running. You want it to be something easy, so you are able to do it for longer periods, increasing your stamina.

TIP! Use ladder drills to improve agility and coordination. These are standard drills for football fitness training.

Field goals can assist your team in winning. In fourth-down situations, kicking a successful field goal gives your team three valuable points. 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 points add three points to your team’s score.

It can be difficult to catch a football when it is raining unless you use the proper technique. Point your feet in the direction that the ball is coming towards you to avoid slipping. You will have far better control when catching it by doing that. Additionally, keep your hips and chest positioned square above your legs. Put a hand on each side of the ball, towards the front.

If you only play at half your ability, expect to see mediocre results. You’ll wind up hating yourself when you realize that your lack of full effort cost your entire team the football game. Make sure you keep that passion burning so you can win.

TIP! You should have a good work ethic if you want to be in the game often. Even though natural talent plays an important role, work ethic is even more important.

It is foolhardy to play during extreme weather conditions. Football is played under almost any conditions. This means snow, sleet and rain too. If their safety is in question, they end the game. You should make sure that you do the same thing. At the very least you can end up with a sprained ankle or break a bone.

You must learn the basic defensive positions. There are eight of them. Each player has a different job. Depending on the game, the ratio of inside and outside linebackers can be different. Strong and free safety are the safety positions.

Be sure to send your target colleges a DVD of your best playing. You should apply to several schools where you desire to play football. Choose a school that has an excellent academic program as well as a great football team.

TIP! Football is often viewed as a sport of sheer strength, but stamina is imperative, too. In order to increase your stamina, you’ll need to do cardio exercises for about an hour every day.

Go to the gym often. Football players must lift weights. Strength conditioning is very important to the quality of your field time. You must work out your whole body. Do not just focus on your upper body. Your legs need the strength for pushing off effectively while at the line of scrimmage.

Keep in mind that each time you spring the field or catch the ball, it is because your mind is instructing your body to take that action. When your body and mind work in sync, without effort, you are more likely to be successful. Mental preparedness helps you perform at your best.

Football is a fast-paced and energetic sport to watch or play. However, there are also people who wonder why so many people devote their entire lives to following this sport. You should now realize that people enjoy football because it represents an epic struggle. Use these tips to make your appreciation of the sport deeper and more enjoyable.