Are You Training Right For American Football?

Let’s set the record right first, it is not easy to train for American football but it is certainly accomplishable. However, players of this special type of game should always know that it take time to enhance their football skills. By enhancing the football skills, not only a player will become better but he will also increase his chances of surviving a game without serious injuries. American football is considered to be a dangerous sport and as we know, a lot of games have already resulted in broken bones and dislocated joints. However, it is this very aggressive and strong action of the sport that made it so popular.

Sprint training

Being able to run very fast is a skill that is very vital in American football. Players must know how to run very fast especially if they are the one holding the football. They will be chased by numerous opponents who will tackle them if given the chance. That is why football players have to be very fast. The most popular type of sprint training is the wind sprint exercise. These can really knock of the wind out of players because it is very exhausting. Nevertheless, it really helps a lot when it comes to speed. Wind sprint exercise is done by letting players sprint yards for eight yards. After resting for about eight seconds, they should run another eight yards.

Block training

A block is a very important defensive maneuver in American football. Offensive players must know how to block the defenders so that the player who holds the ball will not be tackled. Players can become better blockers by increasing their upper body strength. A regular dumbbell workout could also increase the strength of their arms which are also important in making a good block. The legs have to be strong as well and that is why squats are very recommendable.

Tackle training

Tackling is a lot harder than it looks. Players should tackle in such a way wherein they will not be able to injure themselves and their opponents. Football might be dangerous but there is no place for intentional violence in this sport. Tackling exercises could be done wherein one group play as tacklers and then the other group play as defenders. The goal of the defenders is to carry their footballs safely and the goalof the tacklers is to prevent defenders from achieving their goal. After that, the tacklers could become the defenders and vice versa. Good tacklers are the ones that have strong lower leg muscles. That is why calf exercises are very important.

Receiving

All players must be good ball catchers. There will always be ten opposing players trying to take the ball from a single defensive player. Therefore, dropping the ball after a pass is not good. Players must increase their hand-eye coordination so that they will not have a hard time receiving the football. Aside from that, receiving skills can also come in handy especially if a defensive player wants to intercept the ball that is thrown by his opponent. Passing drills, like the two-on-three passing drill, can help players improve their catching skills.