Crashing into another person while moving at full speed is not a natural act. However, in football you must do so on almost every play. It is natural for young athletes to be apprehensive about this aspect of the game. As a parent or coach of a young football player, how you handle this behavior can greatly influence the player's enjoyment of the game.
Step 1
Introduce contact at a loosely planned pace. If he does not respond right away, slow down and allow him to experience success. Begin by talking through the technique and then walking through it, even demonstrating it for him. Once he is prepared, have him hit stand-up blocking dummies. Focus on proper technique, encouraging him to hit the dummy at half-speed until he feels no fear of the contact. When he has mastered the dummy, have him practice against another boy who is trying to hit back, progressing from half to full speed as slowly as needed.
Step 2
Pair athletes carefully. Size and aggression are not mutually exclusive. Smaller boys often might be the most aggressive because they have not gone through life being told to be careful of smaller children. In addition, their coordination is likely going to be more advanced, allowing them to move with greater speed. When pairing youth players, always partner them with players of similar size and skill level.
Step 3
Use crash mats if he is hesitant to fall to the ground. This will limit the impact for the athlete and develop the confidence to go to the ground without pain.
Step 4
Praise liberally. There always will be players who take longer than others to overcome their fear. As a coach or parent, the most important thing you can do is praise him at every opportunity. The anxiety toward contact stems from a lack of confidence in his ability and safety. Negative comments can have long-lasting negative effects on young players. In contrast, praise and an emphasis on fun and effort over wins and performance will foster a healthy environment that all young people want to be a part of.
Step 5
Give your youth player a playbook he can study. At all levels, players who know what they must do play at a faster pace than those who have to think about what they are doing. Keeping the game simple and teaching your youth what to do will allow him to play with more confidence and speed, preventing the likelihood of injury.
Things You'll Need
- Stand-up blocking dummy
- Full football uniform and pads
- Crash mat
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