Football teams are more than just people who wear the same color of outfits. Teammates share a real passion for football and a desire to win. This passion motivates them to pursue improvement each day; the tips in this article will give you keys to improving your own game.

Don’t ever step onto the field without your protective gear. There is too much risk of injury without it. Do not step onto the field if your equipment is not up to standards. Possible injuries that can occur are broken bones and paralysis. Some of these injuries could alter your life significantly.

TIP! Remember that you are part of a team when you play football. You’ll be supported by your team, and you need to support them back.

Treat every play of the game like it was taking place in the final minutes of the Superbowl. Going through the motions to play the game will leave you in the opponent’s dust. Give 100 percent every single time you play the game, and you won’t have any regrets and you’ll be a better team member.

Weight training is critical if you play football. Keep up with your regimen for the best performance. To better both your speed and your strength, use a combo of basic lifting and lifting heavy weights, too. These skills are necessary for you to become a solid yet winning player.

In order to help improve your speed learn how to lead off with both feet. The majority of people perform better using their dominant foot. Try exercising your non-dominant foot so that you can move faster and maneuver better.

TIP! Keep in mind that safety is paramount in 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).

Study the other team’s formations to help you create a better defense. You can figure out a lot about a certain play based on where the receiver is lining up. Watch other teams play and keep a logbook of their plays.

Do your best to support your teammates. Football is all about teamwork. You will win or you will lose together. Don’t think about the individual — it’s the group. Supporting your team mates is the only way to build your team. A confident group wins more often.

Stiff Arm

TIP! Always practice your kicking skills. Kicking is as important as throwing or tackling.

A great football tip if you’re a runningback or receiver is to perfect the art of using the stiff arm. A stiff arm strategy can buy you time and yards in a crunch, and can completely protect you from a defending player. Simply straighten and stiffen your arm.

Physical fitness is a necessity in football. To get into good shape, start your workout with stretching, then perform both anaerobic and aerobic exercises. Top this all off with some resistance training and a routine to cool down.

Get better at agility and coordination with ladder drills. Training for football requires these important attributes. Draw a ladder with chalk, and step into and out of every square from the bottom to the top. This skill can also be practiced by lining up old tires.

TIP! Make sure your body stays healthy so you can go on playing. This includes warming up before practice, going to the gym, or enjoying other activities.

A useful method of learning football skills is to study what the pros do, Replicate what they do in your own games. It might be obvious, but by emulating great players, you can improve your game.

Shuttle runs will improve your ability to come to a quick stop as well as boost your endurance and stamina. Run from one goal line to the 10 yard line and touch it. Next, head back towards the end zone and tap the goal line. Do these every day to improve your skills on the field.

Use the right technique to catch footballs when it is raining. Keep from slipping by having your feet pointed at the ball during the catch. In this way, you can have good control when you catch the ball. Put your hips and chest in that same position. Each hand should be on the sides of the football, in the front.

TIP! Treat every play of the game like it was taking place in the final minutes of the Superbowl. Some players just go through the rote motions, and they miss things they will ultimately regret.

Teamwork is important. It’s sometimes easy to forget, but keep it close to heart. It takes teamwork to win, not just one person. You can’t be truly great until you support your team and know that wins must be won as a team.

Make sure that you precede all workouts, practices and games with good warm ups. An injury could cause you to stay on the sideline for a long time. A good way to keep physically fit for football is develop your muscles and keep them loose by stretching before going out to play.

When you think of universities you would like to attend, make a highlight reel for each one you consider. Make sure you apply to multiple schools. Choose a school that has an excellent academic program as well as a great football team.

TIP! Ladder drills are a great way to improve your agility and coordination. This is important when it comes to training for football.

If you play quarterback, scan the opposing defenders both right to left and left to right. A lot of quarterbacks only do left to right. By altering your scan patterns you will keep the defense on their toes and not allow them to blindside you from the left over and over again.

Depending on the team, they have the ability to elevate you to win or take the entire group down with them. The harder you work, the harder your teammates will work. Use what you learned and play a great game!