Football practice is a time to teach players the game and how to play positions on the offense, defense and special teams. Where blocking, tackling and ball handing are fundamentally important, knowledge of the rules is necessary to your teams' success on the field. Good football coaches often repeat the same things over again. This is not because he considers players dense in some way, but because repetition is essential to teaching the complex game of football.
Rules
Step 1
Set up a clipboard, paper and a pen to take notes. Call your players onto the middle of the football field.
Step 2
Ask a player to point out the sidelines of the field and to describe where each sideline starts and ends. Some might erroneously believe that the sidelines end at the goal lines. The sidelines extend beyond the goal to the end lines of the field, otherwise known as the back lines of the end zone.
Step 3
Ask players to cite any rule regarding play and the sidelines and note the responses on the clipboard. Ask players to define the line of scrimmage in a game and note these responses.
Step 4
Describe a game situation, such as receiving a punt. Ask each player which rules apply to blocking on a punt return. Describe a kickoff situation and ask players to cite the rules regarding a ball that bounces before it reaches a receiver on a kickoff. Unlike a punt, a kickoff can be picked up by any player on either team after it has been kicked and travels over 10 yards.
Step 5
Describe scenarios that challenge your players' knowledge of rules regarding pass blocking, illegal formations and illegal procedure on offense. Ask your players what constitutes personal fouls by a defensive player.
Step 6
Compile your responses and call a team meeting where you have access to a chalkboard. Discuss and define any rules that your players do not fully understand or know about. Hand out football rulebooks or provide a link to a football rules website and give the team homework assignments designed to further their knowledge of the rules of the game.
Fundamentals
Step 1
Conduct one-on-one blocking drills to establish which players are best suited for the offensive line and which would be good defensive rushers. Tackling drills disclose players who have football desire. Teach the proper techniques for blocking and tackling.
Step 2
Set up passing drills with a quarterback and a line of receivers on each side. Teach your running backs and receivers basic pass routes, such as sideline patterns, quick slants and deep pass routes. Teach your receivers to catch passes with both hands and tuck the ball away securely.
Step 3
Organize half speed scrimmages and discuss blocking assignments on running plays. Set up various defensive alignments and teach the linemen how to determine which defender must be blocked for each running play. An educated offensive line is the key to a successful running attack in football.
Step 4
Devise drills to develop quarterback and running back timing and ball handling in the offensive backfield. Teach your running backs to focus on the point of attack, instead of looking down for a hand off.
Step 5
Practice special team kickoffs and punts every day. Teach your players how to time the kickoff before they cross the kicking line and charge down the field. Teach your offensive linemen to hold their blocks until the kicker punts the football. teach your wide receivers the importance of remaining wide as they run down the field to protect against a run-back along the sidelines.
Tips and Warnings
- Teach your offensive and defensive players to continue hustling on every play until a whistle is blown by a coach or a game referee.
- Condition your players on a gradient to avoid exhaustion. Allow brief water breaks during practice. Instruct all players to wear a mouthpiece while on the field.
