Learning & Playing - Football Practice

Constant motion drill to increase ball handling skills

This drill is used to increase player's ball handling skills on the field. Players will move the football from one hand to another hand around differing parts of their body. The drill is simple and starts by having the player pass the ball around their head, torso, arms, knees, and even between their feet from one hand to another in constant motion.

The best thing that a coach can do is call out body parts that the players will have to move the ball around, or even calling a reverse command were the players will need to change the direction of the football. Changing the direction of the football ensures that they don't form a habit, and that they remained focused on the ball and controlling the movement.

We recommend that you end this drill by doing several football drops. This means that the player will drop the football and retrieve it again quickly. It will also help to change the hand that the player's uses to pick up the ball to ensure both hands are learning this technique.

Proper Catching Leads to Great Ball Security

When a receiver catches the ball they need to immediately put it into a secure ball carrying position. A great catch can be broken down into three steps: First, keep your arms extended out in front of your body with your hands out forming an imaginary triangle with your fingers and thumbs. Second, follow the ball through with your eyes. Third, secure the ball tight and high against your ribs, forearm, and biceps. Bad habits can form easily as many receivers look away mid catch to scan the field for defenders. This increases fumbles and turnovers. In order to increase catching and ball security effectiveness have two receivers pass to each other, when one of them catches the ball make sure that they slow the motion down pausing when they catch, follow through, and secure the football.

Football tackling 101

Tackling is fundamental to football, and should receive proper attention at practices. If you, or your players don't take tackling seriously you will not stop the offense and could also cause injuries. Here are three important steps to practice:

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 opponent's feet. Also, at this time thrust your arms backward to prepare for the next step.

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. Now is the time that injuries can happen. Never, ever, ever tackle with the top of your head down, keep it up and square against your opponent. You need to literally imagine that the football is a big hamburger and you want to bite it and not slam your forehead against it.

Third, at this point you have successfully grabbed your opponent and all that's 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.

Conditioning: The Quick Jump

Football is all about action and reaction, and those that practice reacting quickly in a variety of directions will dominate the field. This practice drill is intended to increase reaction speed and the ability to quickly change directions. It starts by placing players in a small four square box. Then the player will proceed to jump from on area or box to another, thus forcing the player to jump laterally, diagonally, frontwards, and backwards. Some of the variations can be on legged; either right or left, or changing the order those players will perform the drill.



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