Playing football for your high school team is an honor and enormous responsibility. Your coach, classmates and others within the school expect you to play to the best of your ability and, one hopes, win some games and perhaps even showcase your skills in a tournament. The football season for most high schools starts in the fall, so you should spend your summer working out and preparing yourself to take the field and wow the crowds with your skills.
Run
A large portion of your time spent on the football field will likely be running, either to make a touchdown or to prevent the opposing team from doing so. Spending some time running before the season starts will improve your overall fitness, but will also prepare your body to run fast. Greg Jacobs notes in his book, "The Everything Kids' Football Book," that failing to prepare for the physical demands of running and playing the game will leave you breathless and unable to play well. Running is good exercise, but will also get your heart, lungs and muscles ready for the demands of practice and games.
Weightlifting
Strong muscles are important for improving your game because they allow you to play hard and tackle the opposite team while also protecting your teammates. Lifting weights will help build muscle tone and increase your overall strength and endurance. Many high schools have a weight room that players can use to get ready for the season; if yours does not, a local recreation center may have a variety of weights for you to use.
Situps and Pushups
Any type of movement that requires vigorous physical activity will help you get in shape for the upcoming football season. Jacobs recommends situps and pushups because you can do them anywhere and because they help build muscle tone and increase your overall strength. Do a series of situps and pushups each day either before or after you run or lift weights. As you build strength, add more repetitions to continue toning your muscles.
Football Drills
Football drills help build your skills for playing the game, and also tone the parts of your body needed to play your position. If you are the quarterback, completing a series of throwing and passing drills will increase the strength in your arm. Tacking drills will help prepare you to be tackled, as well as build your muscles so you can effectively tackle the opposite team. Football drills have the added bonus of building teamwork and cooperation.
References
- "Condititioning for Strength and Human Performance"; T. Jeff Chandler and Lee E. Brown; 2007
- "The Everything Kids' Football Book"; Greg Jacobs; 2010
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