- American Football Tutorial
- American Football - Home
- American Football - Overview
- American Football - History
- American Football - Terminology
- American Football - Playing Environment
- American Football - Equipment
- American Football - Players & Positions
- American Football - How to Play?
- American Football - Scoring System
- American Football - Rules
- American Football - Variants
- American Football - How to Learn?
- American Football - Tournaments
- American Football - Participating Countries
- American Football - Champions
- American Football - Surprising Facts
- American Football - FAQs
- American Football Resources
- American Football - Quick Guide
- American Football - Useful Resources
- American Football - Discussion
American Football - How to Learn?
American Football is easy to learn and practice. There are many things that you can do to practice the game and learn it. Continuous practice of everything is needed to become a great American Football player. You will have to learn kicking, catching, holding, and many other things. Here we will discuss some processes which will help you to learn each aspect of the game easily.
Physical strength, speed, alertness, etc. are needed to play the game effectively. Besides this, you also need to learn technical skills so that you can become proficient in different types of moves.
Footwork Drills
One of the essential aspects to learn is the footwork and you can follow the footwork drills to become proficient. There are three types of drills that you can practice each for 30 minutes. Let us discuss these drills in detail.
Ladder Drills
This is a practice in which you have to set up a ladder and use different types of patterns to run. Some of these patterns are as follows −
Side shuffles
High knees
Quick feet
Each of these three steps should be performed for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, take a break for a few seconds and start the next one. This will help you in improving your footwork pattern.
Dot Drills
This is a type of practice in which you have to draw dots. After drawing these dots, try to jump from one dot to another in different patterns. You can jump at the front and then go back. You can also go for in and out. You have to practice each of these steps for 30 seconds and repeat it to improve your jumping skills which is needed in this game.
Cone Drills
This is a type of practice in which you have to design or set up a zigzag pattern and practice in such a way that directions are changed quickly. Repeat this step five times daily and also take rest in between.
Ball Handling Skills
There are different things that you have to improve so that the ball can be handled safely and comfortably. You need to learn agility, control, and grip, and here are things that you can do to practice ball-handling skills.
One-Handed ball Control
This is a type of practice in which you have to handle the ball in a single hand flip it in different ways and then catch and hold it. You can throw it up and catch and you can also spin it. All these movements should be done for a few seconds and take rest in between. Also, you need to repeat the steps 5 to 6 times.
Ball Slams
This is a practice in which you have to handle the ball with both hands. Now you need to throw the ball forcefully on the ground and then catch it on every bounce. This step has to be repeated for half a minute or more and then take rest in between every half minute.
Agility
Create a zigzag pattern and start running while having the ball in one of your hands. You need to put the ball from one hand to another while running in different patterns. This instep has to be repeated and after finishing take rest and then start again.
Blocking Drills
Blocking is one of the important parts of the game as you have to block the players of the opposition team from reaching the end zone of your side. The blocking skills are required by offensive and defensive teams. You can perform different things that can help you in improving power, footwork, and technique of blocking. Let us discuss some of these drills.
Wall Drive
This is a practice in which you have to face a wall while holding the ball in both of your hands. The next step that you have to do is to push the ball against the wall as hard as possible. The step has to be repeated for 30 seconds and then take rest and repeat it.
Shadow Blocking
This is a practice where you have to stand in front of a mirror. Take into account footwork, stance, and hand placement. Perform this step for 30 seconds and repeat it as much as you can.
Footwork Blocking
This is a practice in which you have to set up cones in a straight line Now run through these cones while practicing different types of blocking techniques. Some of these blocking techniques include cut blocking, drive blocking, and many more. These steps should be practiced continuously for 30 minutes.
Route Running Skills
Route Running Skills have to be practiced by those people who want to become a receiver, tight end, or running backs. You need to focus on your speed, agility, and precision. Here are some of the drills that you can follow −
Cone Routes
This is a practice in which you have to set up and arrange cones in different patterns to make different types of routes. Some of these patterns are ins, outs, slants, and many more. You need to run on each route after creation accurately.
Reaction Route
This is a type of practice in which you need a partner. You need to tell the partner to run on different routes. You should then tell him the correct way of running on different routes. This will help you to be alert while reacting quickly to any situation.
Mirror Routes
This is a type of practice in which you have to stand in front of a mirror. You can practice repeat running while using different patterns. The practice has to be performed for 30 seconds or more.
Tackling Drills
Players in the defensive team must have tackling skills. The skill is necessary as they have to take the offensive player who is holding the ball. There are different types of tackling skills to practice that we will discuss here −
Tackle Dummies
This is a practice in which you have to set up dummies and try to tackle them. You have to use different techniques of tackling. You need to concentrate on the target while going for tackling.
Agility Tackles
This is a practice in which a zigzag pattern has to be made and tackle the dummy while running in this pattern. You need to concentrate on your balance along with speed while tackling the dummy.
Shadow Tackling
This is a practice in which you have to stand in front of the mirror. Try to focus on your stance, hand placement, and footwork while practicing the ways of tackling.