How to Run a Football

Football is a game that involves more strategy and thought than some people give it credit for, but when it comes time to make the play, you still have to run the football to the end zone. When you have possession of the football is when you have to be at your best, bobbing and weaving your way through defenders until you get tackled or until you find that perfect gap that takes you all the way for a touchdown. Read on to learn how to run a football.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Football
• Players
• Football Field

1. Listen carefully to the play as chosen by the coach and quarterback. The play will dictate the pattern that you are supposed to run. This dictates the position you should be in at the time the quarterback needs to pass the ball to you or where you should be when he hands it to you in a running play.
2. Take your position on the field, whether at the line of scrimmage, alongside or behind the quarterback.
3. Begin to move as soon as the quarterback calls "Hike!" or whatever term is used by your team to indicate the play has begun. If the play calls for you to be in motion, then begin moving at the appropriate time in the pre-snap. Remember that you are not permitted to move forward, only from side to side.
4. Go. Head in the pre-designed pattern of the play, and run to the spot you need to be in order to receive the ball.
5. Line up behind your blockers and use their cover to find an opening to exploit in the defensive line. Run into the best weak point, being careful to watch for defenders in the back field.
6. Maneuver whenever you need to in order to avoid defenders and tackles. Make sharp turns in one direction, and then roll or spin out of the move and head in the opposite direction.
7. Lower your head and throw your shoulder into tacklers as they begin their moves. This can help to shake tackles by knocking the defender off balance.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear cleats when you are playing football, especially when you are in the mud. Cleats give you extra traction and help you make quick turns from one direction to another.
• Never play full contact, tackle football without wearing adequate protection. A helmet is always a necessity, as are chest, shoulder and knee pads. Choose two-hand touch or flag football if you don't have protective gear.