Q&A for How to Train for Football

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  • Question
    I'm a 14 year old girl, 135lbs, 5'7". I wanna try to join the JV football team. I go to the gym regularly, powerlift. I'm really good shape, have great leg strength. Any tips to prepare for tryouts?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Do you know what position you're interested in? If you are, you can certainly study some professional tape to try and pick up on how the pros play your position. This can give you a good sense for what you need to show the coaches when it comes time to tryout!
  • Question
    Is there any way to avoid a concussion in football?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Always wear your helmet. Get a neck collar and attach it to your pads. When you are getting tackled, try to curl up a little so you land on your shoulders, not your head. Unfortunately, there's no way to stay 100% safe from concussions, so there's always a risk when playing football.
  • Question
    How do I carry the ball?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    A quarterback holds the ball at their chest with both hands wrapped around the outside and their fingers on the laces. Running backs and wide receivers tuck one arm over and one arm under the ball to protect it from defenders when they're near the line, but shift to a one-arm grip when they're in the open field and hold the ball under their shoulder and against their chest. Remember to always put both hands on the ball if you're about to be tackled to avoid fumbling it!
  • Question
    What kind of exercises could I do for improving leg strength as a kicker?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    Squats, lunges, and running stairs are all excellent options. Going out to a football field and regularly practicing your field goals is a great way to improve your leg strength as well. Start out at the 10-yard hash mark and kick a field goal. If you make it, go back 10 yards. Continue doing this until you find the spot where you're hitting roughly 50% of the field goals. Start practicing at that hash mark once a week. Your kicking strength will go up over time.
  • Question
    I am a junior and I've wanted to play high school football but I never could due to school work. I want to join next year. Any advice for me to increase my chances?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Play in a recreational league to get some practice on the field. Most park programs have some kind of youth league that you should be able to join. Also, make sure you stay on top of your schoolwork! When you do make the team, coach won't be happy if your academics are keeping you off of the field.
  • Question
    What would be good training if you want to be a running back?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    You need explosiveness and speed if you're going to play running back. If you're in high school, now is the time to start weight training. Barbell squats, bench presses, and bicep curls are all great for building up your strength. Running hills or stairs and practicing your 40 yard sprint is the best way to improve your speed.
  • Question
    I'm a girl and I want to try out next year for football. What should i do? I'm really nervous.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It's understandable that you'd be nervous. Try not to worry about it too much. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of girls out there playing competitive high school football. In 2019, Toni Harris became the first female college player as well! There's no reason you should worry about your skill--there's plenty of evidence that the girls can keep up just fine. Just stay in shape, practice throwing and catching the ball, and eat a balanced diet to stay on top of your game.
  • Question
    If you never played on a football team when you were little, can you join the high school football team?
    Community Answer
    It is never to late to start playing football. If you are interested in the sport, make sure you know all of the rules and work hard on your skills and you have a good chance of making the team.
  • Question
    How do I train to be a wide receiver
    Community Answer
    Do speed training like running or squats, but also do upper body training because in football, you have to be tough.
  • Question
    How big do I have to be?
    Community Answer
    This varies by position and is even a little irrelevant. Being fast and strong is more important than being big. Eating healthy food and working out will increase your chances of success.
  • Question
    How can I control my asthma while training for football?
    Community Answer
    Breathe through your nose and out of your mouth while training to control your breath, and talk to your doctor about safely exercising with asthma.
  • Question
    I'm in middle school and I have not been interested in the sport until I got a free football. What do I do know?
    Community Answer
    Watch football games to learn more about the sport. Join a quick summer league and ask the coach for training advice if you want to get on the high school team in a couple years.
  • Question
    How do I decide which position that I want to play?
    Community Answer
    It depends on whether you can throw; if so, be quarterback. If you can catch, be a wide receiver. If you can hit, be on the line. Try all the positions to find out where you are at your strongest and thrive.
  • Question
    I am a girl who wants to try out for wide receiver. Any tips on training?
    Community Answer
    To play wide receiver, you have to work on catching the ball, and improve your strength and agility. You can do this by lifting weights and pulling a weighted sled.
  • Question
    I want to be a quarterback. I can throw a good pass, but I'm slow. Can I be a quarterback?
    Community Answer
    Sure, but you need to improve your speed. You can do that by strengthening your leg muscles, running, and doing exercises specifically focused on leg muscles.
  • Question
    How far would I need to throw? I'm in middle school.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    25 yards might be enough. 40 yards would be better.
  • Question
    I am a girl who wants to try out for running back, any ideas on how to get better at taking a hit?
    Community Answer
    Get lower than anyone trying to tackle you. Also, if you can, moving laterally with juke moves, spin moves, or combinations may get you out of taking hits, and when you do take them, they won't be as hard.
  • Question
    Why can't girls play football?
    Community Answer
    Girls can and do play football! Although many leagues are strictly for boys only, girls are increasingly finding their way onto football fields.
  • Question
    How do I handle it if I'm the only female player?
    Community Answer
    Be extra awesome, and show the boys what you're made of. Show them girls can be tough, too.
  • Question
    how do I break a tackle when I am a running back?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Keep driving your legs forward. Twisting your hips could help, too. Avoid the tackle in the first place with cut or spin moves or a stiff-arm.
  • Question
    How do I learn the plays? I am a good athlete and in shape but I don't know what to do during the plays besides run and dodge defenders.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Ask a friend or teammate to help you memorize the plays. Go over them in your mind, or run through them over and over on the field. It's no different than studying for a test in school.
  • Question
    I'm a 13-year-old girl and I want to play tackle football next year. I've never played tackle before, what should I do to get in shape and be as strong as the boys?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Do not expect to be as strong as the boys, especially as you get a little older. Focus on getting in shape, learning plays, and training by blocking and tackling, passing and catching, punting and kicking, running pass routes, and defending against receivers.
  • Question
    What are the best foods to eat for football?
    Community Answer
    If you are interested in playing any sport, you need to eat a lot of lean protein, and fruits and vegetables are vital for everyone. Carbs are good for bulking up. You also need to try to avoid fatty, unhealthy foods.
  • Question
    I'm scared to try out for high school football, what can I do?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You're not going to get hurt in a tryout. Give it a shot, and see what you think. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering what would have happened if....
  • Question
    I can throw and I'm fast but I can't take a hit, can l be a quarterback?
    Community Answer
    Yeah you could but at some point you are going to take a hit, it is a matter of if you are willing to take a few hits to make a play. especially on big plays during the game such as 3rd and medium when they blitz you. It also depends on the oline and if you have the ability to take in the entire playbook so when you line up you can correct them in a couple seconds. Not to mention the correct reads you have to make on various plays. If you can handle these then you can play quarterback.
  • Question
    I am a girl who wants to play linebacker. Any tips?
    Community Answer
    Follow the tips in this article. Also, always be in a defensive stance. Football is always played at extension, so when fighting off a blocker, extend your arms when you get rid of them. Fly to the ball and practice tackling.
  • Question
    I'm in high school and the head football coach wants me to play next year. I told the coach it will be my first time playing. I'm six-foot-two and 230 pounds. What will be a good position for me to play on defense?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    This depends on a number of things, like your speed, quickness and strength. It also depends on the relative sizes of your teammates and their abilities. In college and professional football, your proportions are comparable to some linebackers and running backs. However, on some high school squads, you may be better-suited to play on the lines.
  • Question
    I want to play linebacker but the coaches say they only start their sons. What can I do? I've played linebacker since 4th grade.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Show them you're a better player than their sons. If that doesn't work, try out for defensive end.
  • Question
    I'm 14, 5'4" and a girl, and I want to play football on a team (but my dad won't let me). I've never played before, and I really want to. How do I learn how to play, and how can I convince my dad to let me?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    First play touch or flag football, and see how you like it. Tackle football is physically a lot harder, even dangerous, and that's likely why your dad is concerned.
  • Question
    I live in South Africa and there is no football at all, what should I do?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You could get your friends together and show them how to play the game.
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