Understanding Nfl American Football Position Suggestions
Strength and conditioning: Up Downs
The popular conditioning drill known as up downs is a very effective way to increase cardiovascular activity and endurance. This drill starts by having the players run in place as fast as they can encourage them to get their knees up as high as they can. At the coaches signal the players will drop to the ground and do a push up, and then quickly get back up and start running again. Because this drill can be very taxing, it is important to increase the time spent at this slowly over time as the players strength increases.
Tackling Fundamentals and Safety
It has been stated many times that a defensive teams win games, and the most fundamental part of a defensive team is performing a great tackle. If you, or your players dont take tackling seriously you will not stop the offense and could also cause injuries. Here are three important steps to practice:
First, you need to stop the opponent quickly so make sure to place yourself directly in front of the opponents path. Plant your cleats in the grass squarely in front and in the middle, bisecting the player in half. Also, at this time thrust your arms backward to prepare for the next step.
Second, push your other foot keeping your knees low and bent, and in sync with your feet throw your hands up hard around the offensive player. At this point you are well planted in front and your head should be in direct contact. Never, ever, ever tackle with the top of your head down, keep it up and square against your opponent. A great way to insure that you are in the right position is to practice touching your facemask to the football of the opposing player.
Third, at this point you have successfully grabbed your opponent and all thats left is to lunge your hips forward and bear all of your momentum against your opponent. Setting yourself up for this last step will ultimately prove the success in the tackle.
The Proper Way to Catch a High Football
As a receiver, or any player that is going to catch a pass, you know that not all passes are going to go right to the chest. Here are some simple steps when making a high catch: Make a diamond with their forefingers and thumbs. Never catch or try to catch a ball with your body, especially a high ball. 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.
Strip Tackling
In order to win football games you need to have possession of the football. The fastest way to gain possession of the ball is to force an offensive player to fumble the football. Practice dislodging the football on the field in pairs of players. As the offender runs ahead of the defender, have the defender bring his clenched hands up quickly, and forcefully, as he aims his hand at offenders football. This drill is most effective if you start it slow focusing on the motions needed to be effective, and then speed up over time.
The popular conditioning drill known as up downs is a very effective way to increase cardiovascular activity and endurance. This drill starts by having the players run in place as fast as they can encourage them to get their knees up as high as they can. At the coaches signal the players will drop to the ground and do a push up, and then quickly get back up and start running again. Because this drill can be very taxing, it is important to increase the time spent at this slowly over time as the players strength increases.
Tackling Fundamentals and Safety
It has been stated many times that a defensive teams win games, and the most fundamental part of a defensive team is performing a great tackle. If you, or your players dont take tackling seriously you will not stop the offense and could also cause injuries. Here are three important steps to practice:
First, you need to stop the opponent quickly so make sure to place yourself directly in front of the opponents path. Plant your cleats in the grass squarely in front and in the middle, bisecting the player in half. Also, at this time thrust your arms backward to prepare for the next step.
Second, push your other foot keeping your knees low and bent, and in sync with your feet throw your hands up hard around the offensive player. At this point you are well planted in front and your head should be in direct contact. Never, ever, ever tackle with the top of your head down, keep it up and square against your opponent. A great way to insure that you are in the right position is to practice touching your facemask to the football of the opposing player.
Third, at this point you have successfully grabbed your opponent and all thats left is to lunge your hips forward and bear all of your momentum against your opponent. Setting yourself up for this last step will ultimately prove the success in the tackle.
The Proper Way to Catch a High Football
As a receiver, or any player that is going to catch a pass, you know that not all passes are going to go right to the chest. Here are some simple steps when making a high catch: Make a diamond with their forefingers and thumbs. Never catch or try to catch a ball with your body, especially a high ball. 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.
Strip Tackling
In order to win football games you need to have possession of the football. The fastest way to gain possession of the ball is to force an offensive player to fumble the football. Practice dislodging the football on the field in pairs of players. As the offender runs ahead of the defender, have the defender bring his clenched hands up quickly, and forcefully, as he aims his hand at offenders football. This drill is most effective if you start it slow focusing on the motions needed to be effective, and then speed up over time.
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