Understanding Elementary American Football Players Routines
The High Toss Football Catch
High passes happen, and as a receiver you need to be ready for something unexpected. Because of the variety of passes that you might receive here are some basics to high pass catching: Make a diamond with their forefingers and thumbs. When you have your hands extended you are performing a proper catch, remember, and dont ever catch it with your body. Important Tip: never, ever, under any circumstances, for any reason, take your eyes off the ball; even after you have caught it watch the ball until you know that it is safely in your grips.
Dehydration is an enemy to football success
Sufficient water intake on and off the field for athletes should be a concern for both the coaches and the players. Each athlete should bring or have a water bottle provided, and they need to use it often. Times have changed and coaches these days should be aware of hydration needs and not use water as a reward, or withhold it as a punishment. When players are hydrated and energized they will practice harder and learn more.
Protecting the football as you run
A team that prevents fumbles is a team that wins. There is nothing worse than almost getting a first down or even a touchdown and fumbling the ball, for this reason there is a great need for ball security. Basic ball security can be broken down into four steps. First grab the football with your carrying hand with the tips of the football being covered with your fingers. The second point is your forearm wrapped around the ball and shielding it from the defense. Third, pull the football in close to your bicep to protect it from opponents jabs and attempts to make you fumble. The final point is keeping the football high and tight against the ribcage. Run a couple of drills were the ball carrier runs through a pack of defenders to practice. As your ball carrying continues to improve you will insure less turnovers and greater success on the field.
Conditioning: The five dot drill
Strength and reaction time is what makes a great football athlete. The intent of this drill is to increase accuracy, timing, and speed. 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 the player will jump touching each dot with on leg only, and then switch using the other leg. Then continue around the dots with both legs together. The last step is the same as the first hop scotch method but this time when the player reaches the other side they will turn around on the two dots. Remember that speed and accuracy are important on this drill so coaches should start players off slow and then proceed to full speed constantly watching accuracy.
High passes happen, and as a receiver you need to be ready for something unexpected. Because of the variety of passes that you might receive here are some basics to high pass catching: Make a diamond with their forefingers and thumbs. When you have your hands extended you are performing a proper catch, remember, and dont ever catch it with your body. Important Tip: never, ever, under any circumstances, for any reason, take your eyes off the ball; even after you have caught it watch the ball until you know that it is safely in your grips.
Dehydration is an enemy to football success
Sufficient water intake on and off the field for athletes should be a concern for both the coaches and the players. Each athlete should bring or have a water bottle provided, and they need to use it often. Times have changed and coaches these days should be aware of hydration needs and not use water as a reward, or withhold it as a punishment. When players are hydrated and energized they will practice harder and learn more.
Protecting the football as you run
A team that prevents fumbles is a team that wins. There is nothing worse than almost getting a first down or even a touchdown and fumbling the ball, for this reason there is a great need for ball security. Basic ball security can be broken down into four steps. First grab the football with your carrying hand with the tips of the football being covered with your fingers. The second point is your forearm wrapped around the ball and shielding it from the defense. Third, pull the football in close to your bicep to protect it from opponents jabs and attempts to make you fumble. The final point is keeping the football high and tight against the ribcage. Run a couple of drills were the ball carrier runs through a pack of defenders to practice. As your ball carrying continues to improve you will insure less turnovers and greater success on the field.
Conditioning: The five dot drill
Strength and reaction time is what makes a great football athlete. The intent of this drill is to increase accuracy, timing, and speed. 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 the player will jump touching each dot with on leg only, and then switch using the other leg. Then continue around the dots with both legs together. The last step is the same as the first hop scotch method but this time when the player reaches the other side they will turn around on the two dots. Remember that speed and accuracy are important on this drill so coaches should start players off slow and then proceed to full speed constantly watching accuracy.