Sharpening High School American Football Learning Habits
Conditioning: Five dot jump
Conditioning is meant to increase speed, endurance, and reaction time on the football field. This drills intention is to help quickness and accuracy on the field which will reduce errors and increase the chances of great plays. In order to execute the drill you will need a place with five dots, either marked on the grass or on a mat, forming an x shape much like the dots for the number five side of dice.
The athlete starts at the edge of the mat placing their feet on two of the outer dots and proceeds to jump with feet together on the center spot and then out again quickly to the outer dots similar to a simple hop scotch motion. Next proceed around the dots one at a time jumping with one leg only, and then change to the other leg. Then continue around the dots with both legs together. The last phase is really returning to the original starting phase of jumping together and apart, however this time the athlete will change directions after they have jumped to the outer dots. Players will need to increase their speed and accuracy to be effective with this drill.
A great Handoff Drill
Drills practicing fundamentals like an effective hand offs can make the difference between a mediocre team and an excellent one. This drill requires more than one player; it starts off with two lines, line A and line B, the front of each line facing each other a couple of yards apart. The player from line A leaves the line with the football running towards line B. In sync with that first player, a second player leaves line B, when they meet player A passes to player B. At this moment another player leaves line A and accepts a handoff from player B. It should be a constant motion. This is a great drill to help running backs practice hand offs, and should be run every day.
Conditioning: The Quick Jump
Reaction is as skill that players need to develop through conditioning and drills. The point to this drill is having players practice quick directional changes on the field. Start out by placing the player on any crossing lined area on the field, anything like a small for square area. The drill starts by having a player stand in one area or box, and has them jump diagonally, laterally, frontwards, and backwards from one area to another. Some of the variations can be on legged; either right or left, or changing the order those players will perform the drill.
Football tackling 101
Learning how to perform a proper tackle is fundamental to the game of football. If you, or your players dont take tackling seriously you will not stop the offense and could also cause injuries. Some points to remember when tackling:
First is to cut off your opponent by placing yourself directly in front of them. You can do this by placing your foot between your opponents feet. Also, and in coordination with your feet throw your arms back preparing to grab.
Second, thrust your other foot again squarely in front of your opponent and with all the momentum that you have brought to the tackle grab your opponent. As your feet plants your head should be making its first contact. Never, ever, ever tackle with the top of your head down, keep it up and square against your opponent. Tell yourself, or your players to imagine that they are biting the football.
The third and last step is to bring your hips up and drive the opponent backwards and towards the ground. The squarer you are in the first step the easier it will be to perform the third step.
Conditioning is meant to increase speed, endurance, and reaction time on the football field. This drills intention is to help quickness and accuracy on the field which will reduce errors and increase the chances of great plays. In order to execute the drill you will need a place with five dots, either marked on the grass or on a mat, forming an x shape much like the dots for the number five side of dice.
The athlete starts at the edge of the mat placing their feet on two of the outer dots and proceeds to jump with feet together on the center spot and then out again quickly to the outer dots similar to a simple hop scotch motion. Next proceed around the dots one at a time jumping with one leg only, and then change to the other leg. Then continue around the dots with both legs together. The last phase is really returning to the original starting phase of jumping together and apart, however this time the athlete will change directions after they have jumped to the outer dots. Players will need to increase their speed and accuracy to be effective with this drill.
A great Handoff Drill
Drills practicing fundamentals like an effective hand offs can make the difference between a mediocre team and an excellent one. This drill requires more than one player; it starts off with two lines, line A and line B, the front of each line facing each other a couple of yards apart. The player from line A leaves the line with the football running towards line B. In sync with that first player, a second player leaves line B, when they meet player A passes to player B. At this moment another player leaves line A and accepts a handoff from player B. It should be a constant motion. This is a great drill to help running backs practice hand offs, and should be run every day.
Conditioning: The Quick Jump
Reaction is as skill that players need to develop through conditioning and drills. The point to this drill is having players practice quick directional changes on the field. Start out by placing the player on any crossing lined area on the field, anything like a small for square area. The drill starts by having a player stand in one area or box, and has them jump diagonally, laterally, frontwards, and backwards from one area to another. Some of the variations can be on legged; either right or left, or changing the order those players will perform the drill.
Football tackling 101
Learning how to perform a proper tackle is fundamental to the game of football. If you, or your players dont take tackling seriously you will not stop the offense and could also cause injuries. Some points to remember when tackling:
First is to cut off your opponent by placing yourself directly in front of them. You can do this by placing your foot between your opponents feet. Also, and in coordination with your feet throw your arms back preparing to grab.
Second, thrust your other foot again squarely in front of your opponent and with all the momentum that you have brought to the tackle grab your opponent. As your feet plants your head should be making its first contact. Never, ever, ever tackle with the top of your head down, keep it up and square against your opponent. Tell yourself, or your players to imagine that they are biting the football.
The third and last step is to bring your hips up and drive the opponent backwards and towards the ground. The squarer you are in the first step the easier it will be to perform the third step.