Middle School Practice and Preparation For Football
Strength and conditioning: Up Downs Up downs is an excellent conditioning drill that will improve reaction time and endurance.
This drill consists of having players run in place as fast and as hard as they can.
From time to time the coach will signal to the players, by whistle or a command, to get down - meaning that they drop down do a push up and get back up as quickly as possible to run again.
This drill is an excellent workout and should be worked in slowly at first and then increased in intensity and length over time.
Tackling Fundamentals and Safety Learning how to perform a proper tackle is fundamental to the game of football.
If executed poorly not only will you not succeed in stopping the offensive team, but you could possibly injure yourself in the process.
When you tackle your opponent remember three important steps: First is to cut off your opponent by placing yourself directly in front of them.
An excellent technique is to plant your foot in the middle of your opponents.
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.
As your feet plants your head should be making its first contact.
The one golden rule in making a safe tackle is to never, ever lead with or try to tackle with the crown of your head.
Tell yourself, or your players to imagine that they are biting the football.
Third, throw your hips up and hard as you drive the offensive player backwards.
Setting yourself up for this last step will ultimately prove the success in the tackle.
Practice can help turnovers There is a golden rule in football defense, get the ball to the offensive team as quickly as possible.
Win your games by training your defense to use a strong tackle that strips the ball from the opponent.
This drill practices with two players.
Have the defender move up on the offensive player, trust his arms back and then forward with his fists clenched.
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 offender's football.
Start the drill slowly, and reward for a strong tackle that affectively tackles and makes an attack to dislodge the offensive players grip on the ball.
Ball security: The Gauntlet Drill Ball security has to be the most important aspect of a strong offensive team.
This of course is even more important for wide receivers and running backs as they handle the ball more than most.
One drill that has been used several times to improve ball security is called the gauntlet drill.
This drill is set up with one ball carrier, there objective is to run through a group of opponents that try to knock the ball out.
A coach can set up short fast runs or longer relays with several obstacles and defenders prying at the ball.
To be effective with this drill have the ball carrier run the drill holding the ball in several different positions.
This drill consists of having players run in place as fast and as hard as they can.
From time to time the coach will signal to the players, by whistle or a command, to get down - meaning that they drop down do a push up and get back up as quickly as possible to run again.
This drill is an excellent workout and should be worked in slowly at first and then increased in intensity and length over time.
Tackling Fundamentals and Safety Learning how to perform a proper tackle is fundamental to the game of football.
If executed poorly not only will you not succeed in stopping the offensive team, but you could possibly injure yourself in the process.
When you tackle your opponent remember three important steps: First is to cut off your opponent by placing yourself directly in front of them.
An excellent technique is to plant your foot in the middle of your opponents.
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.
As your feet plants your head should be making its first contact.
The one golden rule in making a safe tackle is to never, ever lead with or try to tackle with the crown of your head.
Tell yourself, or your players to imagine that they are biting the football.
Third, throw your hips up and hard as you drive the offensive player backwards.
Setting yourself up for this last step will ultimately prove the success in the tackle.
Practice can help turnovers There is a golden rule in football defense, get the ball to the offensive team as quickly as possible.
Win your games by training your defense to use a strong tackle that strips the ball from the opponent.
This drill practices with two players.
Have the defender move up on the offensive player, trust his arms back and then forward with his fists clenched.
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 offender's football.
Start the drill slowly, and reward for a strong tackle that affectively tackles and makes an attack to dislodge the offensive players grip on the ball.
Ball security: The Gauntlet Drill Ball security has to be the most important aspect of a strong offensive team.
This of course is even more important for wide receivers and running backs as they handle the ball more than most.
One drill that has been used several times to improve ball security is called the gauntlet drill.
This drill is set up with one ball carrier, there objective is to run through a group of opponents that try to knock the ball out.
A coach can set up short fast runs or longer relays with several obstacles and defenders prying at the ball.
To be effective with this drill have the ball carrier run the drill holding the ball in several different positions.