How To Gear Up To Play Football

It's all to easy to mistakenly think of football as a game of athletics, and nothing more. Football actually encompasses a challenging mental game, paired with strategy and athleticism in order to secure a win. Before you head out to the field, preparing with and without your equipment will help you gear up for a more successful game. By reviewing your last game triumphs and mistakes, and reading over the game plan, you'll be more prepared to take on the physical aspect of the game.

Step 1

Review your performance during the last game via game film or an assessment with the coach if film is not available. Knowing what you did right and where you can improve on your game gives you a clearer picture for a game plan. Reviewing past games gives you a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses to give you a better focus during game play.

Step 2

Read over the game plan so you understand the strategy involved for playing and beating the next team. Your coach and assistants take time to put together a plan based on the other team's specific game play habits, so you'll have the upper hand when it comes to playing a team that you already know and understand. Read the game plan through once when you're given the document and once again directly before the game.

Step 3

Assess and address any pain issues you have before the game. A small pull in a muscle in your leg or a sore wrist may seem like a small issue while not playing, but it can become a big problem during the game. Talk to your coach or physical therapist about the location and severity of your pain before you play. You may simply get a word of caution, have the joint or muscle wrapped, or be taken out of the game completely to treat the cause of your pain and give you time to heal.

Step 4

Eat a carbohydrate-heavy meal or snack two to four hours before the game. The fourth edition of the book "Nutrition" notes that eating carbohydrates before a game or other exercise can help replenish glycogen stores to improve endurance on the field. Try breads or pasta, avoiding heavy meals that could make you feel nauseous while playing.

Step 5

Perform light exercise and stretching directly before the game to warm up your body for game play. A light run around the track and the stretching of each major muscle group can help you avoid muscle strain and injury while playing football. After the game, ensure that you similarly cool down to allow your heart rate to return to a normal pace.