| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | systems. Each week of training start off with a |
| Football is definitely a sport that requires a | | | | three-mile run. If this is not enough then do an extra |
| combination of skills and athletic ability. This is why it's | | | | mile or two but don't become too excessive because |
| so important to develop a football conditioning | | | | you'll certainly run more later in the week. |
| program that would help you improve in every | | | | Day 2, 4, and 6: Work on Speed Training |
| aspect of the game. These aspects include: strength, | | | | On these days your focus should be on speed and |
| cardiovascular, and cardiorespiratory training. All of | | | | acceleration. The best way to work on speed and |
| these areas need to be improved upon and directed | | | | acceleration is doing some form of sprinting. |
| towards skill improvement that mimics what takes | | | | Remember to stretch between sprints and at the |
| place on the football field. Football players often | | | | end of your work out. |
| require endurance, strength, flexibility, coordination, | | | | Day 3 and 5: Work on skills that are specific to your |
| and explosive speed and acceleration. | | | | position and strength training |
| The purpose of this article is not to give you a | | | | You can develop position specific skills by doing a |
| blueprint of an exact conditioning program but instead | | | | variety of practice drills. Obviously because each |
| to give you what you need to know to design one | | | | position has different skills we cannot go over them |
| for yourself. This is because one program will not | | | | all here. If for example you are a running back, you |
| necessarily work for everyone. Schedules sometimes | | | | want a practice run blocking, ball handling, receiving, |
| need to be adjusted and programs need to be | | | | pass blocking, and agility drills. |
| flexible when necessary. | | | | After position specific training, focus on strength |
| A good preseason football conditioning program | | | | training. Focus on those areas which are specifically |
| should begin 8-10 weeks before the season and | | | | needed for your position. Finish off with a three-mile |
| should take place six days a week. The seven day | | | | run. |
| should be used for resting and recovery. If you train | | | | Your football conditioning program should be |
| too hard and do not rest your muscles you will | | | | approached with caution. If you overwork your body |
| almost certainly receive an injury. During the course | | | | you may end up injured and not able to play at all |
| of your work out stretching is one of the most | | | | during the season. |
| important things you can do to avoid injury. This will | | | | Therefore is important to take it slow careful and do |
| also help you promote muscle growth and flexibility if | | | | plenty of stretching. Finally it is always important to |
| done over a period of time. | | | | your diet high in protein and carbohydrates to keep |
| Day 1: Run 3-5 miles | | | | yourself energized. This will also help your body |
| On day one you should run three to 5 miles in order | | | | perform at its best. By following a strict football |
| to promote endurance and your cardiovascular | | | | conditioning program you should have a great season. |