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NFL Preventing Fumbles on the Field and other NFL Basics

By: Wellington W

Prevent fumbles with strong techniques

You can’t run with the football until you have learned some basic ball security measures. Football teams have lost many games because a couple of players were lax in there ball carrying and fumbled the football. A great way to teach tight ball security is with four points. The claw position is the first point, meaning that you grab the football clawing at the point of the football with your fingers. The second point is making sure that your forearm is wrapped tightly on the outer rim of the football. Third, pull the football in close to your bicep to protect it from opponent’s jabs and attempts to make you fumble. Last point is to hold the back of the football right up against the ribcage and as you run keep it high and tight. As a player, you will want to make sure that you are well practiced in this skill, and as a coach you should dedicate some time to ball carrying skills. As your ball carrying continues to improve you will insure less turnovers and greater success on the field.

Tackling Fundamentals and Safety

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. 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. At the same time you want to bring your arms back in anticipation for the next phase.

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. At this point you are well planted in front and your head should be in direct 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. 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.

The third and last step is to bring your hips up and drive the opponent backwards and towards the ground. The more momentum that you bring to the table on steps two and three the more effective your speed will be in this last step.

Powerful Blocking Strategy: Double Teaming

Football is all about strategy and fining, or making weak spots in your opponent. Use the proven technique of double teaming to get great results on the field In essence you take two blockers or linemen and have them go after the same person. This technique is effective for punching a hole through the line and getting a running back through, or it also works great on a defensive blitz. The basics are simple for this technique: First, both players will need to step together, and put their hips together. Next, form a wall, an impenetrable block that the opposing teams’ linemen can’t break. Hit the shoulders hard and pin the opponent down as you drive them back. To be effective the double team has to work in a fast blitz like maneuver.

Up Downs Conditioning Drill

Up downs is an excellent conditioning drill that will improve reaction time and endurance. Players will start this drill by running in place as fast as they can, keeping their knees high as possible. 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. As up downs require endurance and strength, players are encouraged to start in slow short burst and work up to longer and more intense sessions.

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