Improve your Effectiveness at Running Back in Football

Have you ever watched great running backs such as Adrian Peterson and wondered if you could be that good? While becoming a perfect running back does not happen overnight, here are some steps to help you perfect the skills of one of the most glamorous positions on the field.

Steps

  1. Get into the weight room. Using weights helps with speed, agility and power. Do significant work-outs around 3-5 times a week. Anything more could end up hurting you more than it does help you.
  2. Practice several times a week on drills and basic exercises. Things such as jumping rope, jogging/sprinting, and actually playing help increase your athletic ability and make you a better running back overall.
  3. Have fun. It is just a game and it's not the end of the world if you don't get as good as you want to be. It may simply be that your expectations are too high.
  4. Develop your running first. Straight line speed, acceleration, and lateral agility is crucial to dodge defenders and get to the endzone, or even just make it to the sidelines to stop the clock. It doesn't matter how big or small you are, if you can't get away from defenders, you'll never reach where you want to be.
  5. Ball handling is another important aspect of the game. Tuck the ball as close to your body as possible. Give defenders as little chance to knock the ball away as possible. And if you have to catch the ball on a screen pass or if you have to return a punt, learn to catch the ball with both hands first before you are doing one-handed grabs for the camera.
  6. Bulk up. It doesn't matter how little you are, even if you are the fastest man on turf, you will still get tackled. You will get gang-tackled by 2 or 3 people trying to bring you down. Protecting the ball is more important, but being able to take the hits, lay a strong stiff-arm and shed tackles is just as important. Bulking up can help you become a better blocker as well, as running backs are sometimes used for extra pass-protection.
  7. Work on your balance. It doesn't matter if you are trying to keep your knees from hitting the ground from the first tackle, or if you are trying to stay in bounds, you can avoid some injuries, too.
  8. Work with your offensive line and quarterback. You have to read the defense as well as your quarterback. Sometimes, you may even have to break up a supposed outside run and you must run inside (or vice versa).

Tips

  • Always keep your feet moving no matter whatever the play until the whistle has been blown, and I mean no matter what if you are being lifted in the air, or if someone is jumping on top of you, or they know what they are doing and wrapping up keep them moving. You will be surprised what it can do.
  • Always remember no matter how bad you may be right now if you work hard and don't give up anything can happen use what you have work on what you don't have, go with the flow don't be cocky and eventually everything will come your way.
  • Be tough. Most likely you're going to get hit.
  • Make sure you have a good grasp on all basic football skills. If you can run like Speedy Gonzalez but fumble the ball every play, you'll never be deemed a good running back.
  • Join a football team to get more advanced drills and other help.
  • Create a stable training regiment. Work out the same days every week at the same times every day.
  • Stay hydrated! Drinking fluids helps you rebuild your muscles quickly after that long workout. It also keeps you more alert during the game.
  • Make sure when you are running the ball that you hit the hole hard and make quick, good decisions. If the hole isn't there, dodge to the outside. Rarely when you cut to the inside will it work out, especially if you're just going through the hole. Everyone who hates you is on the inside.
  • Run low to the ground.
  • Maybe you should try running with weights on your ankle. This can improve your speed. Also to remember to work on that stiff arm.

Warnings

  • Make sure you have adequate protection. Lack of a helmet or pads may lead to serious injury.
  • When your run hard, make sure you get low and tuck the ball in. The higher you are the bigger risk of taking a harder hit and getting injured.
  • Football will not always be fun. If a situation arises that compromises the fun of the game, back off and take a breather.

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