Madden 12: Superstar Running Back's First Practice and Game!

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Middle School Training, Fun, Practice, Safety, and Coaching

Points on tackling safely and effectively

It has been stated many times that a defensive teams win games, and the most fundamental part of a defensive team is performing a great tackle. Tackling can be fun and exhilarating, but done improperly and it can be dangerous. When you tackle your opponent remember three important steps:

First, you need to stop the opponent quickly so make sure to place yourself directly in front of the opponent's path. 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. 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.

The third and last step is to bring your hips up and drive the opponent backwards and towards the ground. Setting yourself up for this last step will ultimately prove the success in the tackle.

Making a great hand off

Learning the basics in a handoff is essential to a strong offense. The hand off can take place in many ways, but most if not all handoffs occur between the quarterback and the running back. The running back starts the hand off running towards the quarterback with his arms open creating a pocket for the quarterback to slide the football right into the running back's chest. Once the quarterback has placed the ball in the pocket, or opening, the running back immediately clamps down on the ball protecting it and holding on to it. Now that the running back has the ball when he leaves the quarterback he should remain low to the ground in order to react quickly on the field.

Some benefits to Weightlifting

Let's not forget weightlifting. It is one of the essential elements that will help you improve your game. The benefits of lifting weights are found in added strength, but more importantly it will increase your maximum power. Maximum power should be the goal of your training, because it involves muscle strength and muscle excursion during play. This exertion will help you as a football player to execute your skills on the field with speed and force. We highly recommend working with a personal trainer when weightlifting to insure that you are doing it properly, and to help you design a program that will fit your position.

The High Toss Football Catch

Because not all throws are perfect you will need to practice making catches that are high or low. As such you need to practice the high passes so that you know to react, here are some basics: Make a diamond with their forefingers and thumbs. Never catch or try to catch a ball with your body, especially a high ball. Important to look the catch through and tuck it away. When you practice a high catch you are going to perform it subconsciously on the field, so remember extend the arms, catch and follow through.

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Football Practice - Pee Wee Coaching Practice Plan

When pee wee football leagues were first developed, coaches made players' physical training the top priority of football practice. Their thinking was that young player needed to be in top condition in order to play well in the future. While being adequately fit to play the game is still important, coaches have now shifted their priority to making sure beginners have a basic understanding of the game. By successfully training young players in the fundamentals when practicing football, coaches can know that they will continue on with a solid foundation in the sport.

Conditioning Warm-Up

Start practice with conditioning drills to get players warmed-up for the game. If practicing with equipment, this is good time for the kids to get used to the extra padding and weight. Start with push-ups and agility exercises. The tire drill is an effective agility exercise to emphasize the importance of high knees.

Next, have players do running drills. This is a good time to explain the layout of the football field. Set up running drills so that players will have to accurately read yard markers.

Coaching the Fundamentals

When first coaching, it is important to start with the basics. Remember that this might be the kids' first exposure to any organized sport, so explaining each aspect of the game is vital for the players' understanding.

• Tackling: The first priority when coaching tackling is the safety of the players. Use tackling dummies to demonstrate how to properly tackle, emphasizing using the shoulder pads to lead into the tackle and the arms to wrap around the opponent. Beginners need to understand that serious injuries can occur from leading the tackle with the head, even with the helmet on. Improper tackling technique is never acceptable.


• Blocking: After tackling, coach beginners on the basics of blocking and how to utilize proper blocking technique. Players should learn to keep their hands inside the shoulder frame and make contact with the upper body, but never head. Again, even with the helmet, serious head and neck injuries are possible.


• Plays: Coaches should take extra time to explain the basics of football plays. Understanding plays is one of the biggest challenges of youth football, but it is very important for the players' development. Use visuals to show players how a play looks on paper compared to how it is executed on the field. Each player should learn how his position will be determined by different plays. This is an opportune time to reinforce the differences between offense and defense and the different roles they perform in each play.

Wrapping it Up

Close practice by going over what was learned that day, and give players the opportunity to ask questions. They need to understand your role as coach and know that they can come to you when needed. Practice should be over only when everyone has a basic understanding of the skills covered that day.

Next step: Visit my football coaching blog for more than 468 free drills, plays, and practice tips for youth and high school teams.

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