Baffled By Football? Get In The Game With These Top Tips

Football is arguably the most popular sport in America. From junior high school games to the professional leagues, a great number of boys and men aspire to greatness between the end zones. If you want to be a better football player, or just have an idea where to start, keep reading.

Have a plan in place whenever you get ready to practice. You need to know your schedule, including how long you will spend on each drill. Have a list of drills you can use and then choose which you'll do each day. Don't forget to warm up before you begin!

When you have one workout that works for you, keep doing it. You don't want to begin a specific workout routine only to alter it the following week. The best way to benefit from working out is to find a great routine and do it several times a week. Don't let yourself quit and restart numerous times.

A good football tip is to always stay low if you're messiten on the offensive or defensive line. Staying low helps you stay grounded and gives you a better position to block or rush the other player. It also makes it much harder for you to get knocked onto your back.

Improve your hip flexibility by placing five cones approximately five yards apart in a straight line. Starting at one end, run in a zigzag pattern between them as quickly as possible. Lean towards the direction you seek to go, and do so while your head is up but your eyes are downfield.

Remember the basic positions on an offensive team. There are eight basic of them. They are quarterback, halfback, fullback, wide receiver, tight end, offensive tackle, offensive guard, and center. The quarterback is generally the one player that both runs the offense on the field and leads the team when huddled.

Send potential colleges a video of highlights for coaches to watch. Apply to several different colleges at the level you aspire to play for. Remember to think about your desired level of education, too.

Stretch all your muscles before practicing or playing a game and wear all of your protective equipment. Muscle injury is much more likely if you begin playing before your muscles are warmed up. Safety gear is required for a reason. Ensure that your helmet fits well because head injuries sustained while playing football can be extremely dangerous.

Mental ability is also a huge part of being a football star, not just physical training. Know the game like the back of your hand. Study NFL game tapes and learn the basics from the game's best players. Being able to anticipate an opponent's actions and using strategic moves separates good players from the legendary ones.

To help protect yourself when playing football it requires a full uniform with the proper equipment. Referees will not let you on the field if you aren't wearing a helmet, pads for your shoulders, knees and a cup to protect the groin area. Be safe, and always wear the necessary equipment, otherwise you might find yourself carried off the field on a stretcher.

Learn your playbook by heart. Every team has a playbook, and it's your job to get it down before you play any serious games. Keep in mind that this is a team sport, so your friends are relying on you to be mentally tough enough to follow through here.

Always remember to do your stretches before you practice or play. Although this may seem like a dull aspect of the game, in order to prevent injuries from occurring you must loosen up your muscles. You aren't going to be that great if your hamstrings are tightening up. A good pre-game stretch helps to prevent injuries down the road.

If you have no time outs left and you want to run the clock down, keep taking a knee. When this happens, the play ends, but the clock continues to run. This will work if you have two minutes or less left on the clock, but if you have longer, consider other options.

Safety is important when playing football. Do not take shortcuts with safety. This can lead to dangerous results. Always wear your full gear when practicing and never practice without your helmet on. Many players have gotten injured because they did not use the proper equipment or practice in a safe manner.

Always know what play has been called and then stick to it. It isn't your job to call plays, it is only your job to do what you are told. Be sure that you understand what you are being told to do so that you don't end up in a place you shouldn't be.

When you are off-season, keep up your training and routine. Championship level players train when the others are taking off. Use this time wisely and keep yourself in top physical condition. Read up on the rules of the game. Watch videos of your favorite players and continue learning for that extra boost when season starts.

Support your fellow teammates off the field. Being a team doesn't end when you leave the football stadium. Real trust is built when you take that loyalty and show it off well away from the line of scrimmage. Be there when a teammate needs a friend. It can do a lot to build team character.

Now that you have read this article, you should know a few tips about the game of football that you did not previously know. Apply them towards personal success on the field. Always remember that you can be a great football player when your knowledge of the game equals your physical abilities.