Football is a collision sport, though a rugby player may point to the pads and helmets worn by football players and claim that football players are protected. The truth is, the rugby player would be half-right; while pads and helmets do protect players, they also allow them to hit harder and more aggressively. Even with pads, though, football players risk serious collisions with other players every time they step onto the field. Overcoming the fear of contact in football is a necessary skill to participate meaningfully in the sport.
Step 1
Realize that fear of contact in football is normal. It is human nature to possess a self-preservation instinct. At the same time, however, realize that as you learn proper technique, this fear will lessen. You must believe this.
Step 2
Learn physics. Knowledge of the basic rules of physics can work wonders to mentally prepare you for contact and collisions in football. According to Newton's Second Law of Motion, force equals mass times acceleration. This means that the faster you are going, the harder you hit the opposing player (and, conversely, the less the hit impacts you). Knowing that the faster you run for a tackle--or, if you have the ball, away from one--the less force is applied your way, can mentally prepare you to play the game at top performance without worrying so much about being hit yourself.
Step 3
Practice on a tackle dummy. Focus your tackle-dummy efforts on tackling at full speed. The worst thing you can do for your psyche is slow down just before a hit. After a while, you'll learn that the faster you go, the less a tackle impacts you. This will make it easier for you psychologically to hit and take hits while in the game.
Step 4
Practice tackling someone your own size. Perfect your form against a similarly-sized individual, then work your way up to larger opponents. Besides working on your form physically, this will prepare you mentally to meet opponents of any size on the field.
Step 5
Take inventory of your form. Worrying about contact in football may stem from a few bad contact experiences, which in turn occurred from improper form. Have a coach or a professional watch as you perform a tackle and let them critique your form. As you work on your form, you'll improve your performance, which will mentally ease your fears about contact.
Things You'll Need
- Football pads
- Football helmet
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