When you go to football camp for the first time, you will be inundated with football. Football camp is devoted to getting into top shape and learning the skills that are needed in football. Since you are dealing with youngsters, it is important to make sure youngsters are as safe as possible and are having a good time while they do it.
Conditioning
The first priority in football camp is for players to get into game condition. This is done largely through calisthenics and running drills. With young football players, you don't want to overwhelm them with too many exercises and drills but you still want to do enough to help them improve their conditioning. Have them run two 50-yard dashes and one lap around the football field. Also, have each player do two sets of 10 push-ups.
Contact Drills
Players will engage in several blocking and tackling drills to get ready for football season. One of the ways this is done is with the Johnny Tackle drill. In this drill, the coach will pick one player to stand at the 20-yard line. The rest of the players are at the goal line and on the coach's whistle, the players run to the 40-yard line. The player in the middle tries to tackle one player. When the players reach the 40, the original player in the middle and the player he tackled have to tackle one player each. Keep going in this manner until all players have been tackled.
Catch-and-Run Drill
In this drill, the receivers will work on catching the ball. On the coach's whistle, the receiver will run 10 yards and turn around. The quarterback will pass to him and the receiver will catch the ball, secure it and then run 20 yards upfield. Give each receiver two chances to catch the ball and run. This will help players catch the ball and put it away so they can run with it.
Warning
In youth football it's important to emphasize safety in everything that is done on the field. Players must be taught that they cannot lead with their heads when it comes to running with the ball, blocking or tackling. That's how devastating injuries occur. Players must wear helmets during all contact drills and must have their mouth guard in place. Most players who play youth football won't go past the high school level. It's important for players to have the experience of playing organized football and the discipline that goes with it. However, it's more important that players finish their football experience as healthy as possible and that means playing the game the right way. This is always emphasized in football camp.
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