Coaches have a limited amount of time to install an offensive scheme, a defensive plan and get a team philosophy across to players. In addition to building skills and learning plays, coaches have to make sure that all players are in shape to play the game. This is particularly true at the youth, middle school and high school levels because players might not be involved in year-round training.
Endurance Conditioning
Line up all your players on the near sideline. Have them run to the near hashmark and back, the far hashmark and back and then the far sideline and back. Take a two-minute break and repeat the drill. This will help prepare a player for the work in practice and help with endurance.
Agility Drills
Use a rope ladder to get players to run with their knees up and to step precisely. Set up a 2 foot by 10 foot rope ladder and have players run through the ladder as quickly as possible while stepping in every hole. This will help a player with his quickness and precision on the football field.
Oklahoma Drill
This is a practice drill that will help offensive and defensive linemen as well as running backs. In this drill, set up two cones about 8 yards apart. The offensive lineman and defensive lineman will set up within the cones and the running back will line up 5 yards behind the offensive lineman with the ball. On the coach's signal, the defensive lineman will try to toss the blocker aside and tackle the runner. The offensive lineman will try to overpower the defensive lineman and give the runner a hole to run through. Make sure every offensive lineman and defensive lineman pair up in this drill.
Receiver Drill
In this drill, the receiver will run 10 yards and turn around and face the quarterback. He will catch the ball thrown to him, secure it and turn 90 degrees to the right. He will put the ball down and catch another ball and secure it. Then he will turn 180 degrees, put the ball down and catch another ball and then turn upfield and run. This will help a receiver get used to catching the ball and securing it properly before running upfield.
Warning
Football practice can be difficult and draining, particularly when practiced in the heat of summer. Players should bring plenty of water with them and water breaks should be taken frequently. If temperatures exceed 95 degrees, practice should be halted because dehydration can occur.
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