Conditioning drills add an endurance component to a football program, giving the players the stamina they need to last through the game. With conditioning, the players learn to execute plays even when their energy levels are dropping. Running laps are an option for conditioning, but adding variety keeps the players interested and might keep them better engaged in the drills.
10 Reps
Two coaches stand at least 40 yards apart for this conditioning drill. Players begin near one of the coaches. On the whistle, the players perform 10 repetitions of a designated move, such as squats, up-downs, jumping jacks, pushups or heel touches. After the 10 reps are finished, the players sprint the distance to the second coach. They complete 10 reps of another conditioning exercise before sprinting back to the first coach. The players run back and forth between coaches, completing 10 reps of the designated exercises each time. You can vary the distance between coaches or the number of reps to increase the intensity of the conditioning drill.
Circuits
Circuit conditioning allows the players to enjoy variety while constantly moving. Set up different conditioning drills, such as up-downs, lateral jumps over cones or squats at each station along the circuit. Divide the players between the stations. The length of time spent at each station depends on the current endurance level of the players. Begin with short amounts of time, such as 30 seconds, at a station before blowing a whistle. The players rotate to the next station to complete the new move until the whistle blows again. Do as many rotations as desired.
Football Field Laps
The team is divided into two groups for this conditioning drill. The groups go to opposite end zones, starting at opposite corners, each at a sideline. The players sprint down the sideline to the opposite end zone on the whistle. The group walks along the end zone to the other corner after arriving. The walking gives them a chance to rest briefly before sprinting the length of the football field again. The teams are essentially running laps around the football field with some brief stretches of walking. Gradually, make the lap area smaller by moving the teams in to the teams in to different yard lines.
Member Comments