Active Things To Do To Prepare For Middle School Football

Football is a demanding sport. Not only do you need to be prepared to hit and be hit, but you have to do so while carrying around 20 or more pounds of equipment in the heat of late summer and early fall. For that reason, it is essential that you show up to the first day of practice in good shape and ready to compete. Get a checkup from your doctor before trying out for middle school football.

Begin Lifting Weights

By the time you have reached middle school, your body is likely ready to begin some form of resistance training. Many high schools have programs designed to help prospective athletes learn how to lift in a developmentally appropriate way. If a high school in your district does not have such a program or won't allow a middle school football player to take part, check out gyms in the area. Consult your doctor before starting any lifting routine to ensure that your body is ready for that type of exercise. As you gain confidence and experience in the weight room, your muscles will begin to build size and strength, preparing you for the season.

Run Sprints

The National Strength and Conditioning Association suggests that athletes use sports specific interval training to condition their bodies for competition. This means quick bursts of speed that simulate game play in some way. Since the average football play lasts six seconds, that means running sprints that are between six and eight seconds with approximately 30 to 45 seconds rest in between. As the season approaches, push to run greater distances in the same time intervals and add additional repetitions.

Position-Specific Drills

Start early practicing the specific skills that you will be using during the coming season. These drills vary by position --- blocking drills for offensive linemen, tackling drills for defensive players, agility drills for running backs and receivers, throwing drills for quarterbacks. Some coaches are allowed to work with you on these skills during the off-season. Contact your coach to see if he is available.

Open Field

While working out and drills have their place, they cannot make up for the experience you get from playing football. Get together with your friends and teammates and play pickup football whenever possible. This helps condition you for the season and tests your skills in a live competitive situation. Many times schools will have "open field" times where players can come and engage in games like this.

Attend Camps

Camps are a great way to become familiar with your position and the skills you will need for the coming season. Many middle school and high school programs host some sort of camp that is run by their coaches. These camps help you get to know your teammates and coaches while learning the offensive and defensive schemes that you will run that coming season.

Many college football programs offer camps for younger players. These camps are usually more generic in nature, but they offer coaching by experienced college coaches and players. They also give you an inside look at a college football program and help you understand what it takes to play at that level.