Dear Players

Dear Players,

August 4th will be here soon. Whether you are on vacation, have been coming to our workouts or not, there are 5 things every one should be doing: 1) Be active. 2) Get Regular Rest. 3) Eat right. 4) Read and study. 5) Practice.

BE ACTIVE

This should be easy for most of you. Swim, ride a bike, play a sport, run around like your hair is on fire! It does not matter what you do, just do something outside every day the weather permits.

GET REGULAR REST

Most of you have different summer bedtimes. That's okay. But try to keep a regular bedtime. If bedtime is 9 or 10 o'clock then go to bed at 9 or 10 o'clock. Not 9:30 or 11 o'clock.

In general, your body functions better if you keep a regular routine. Change the routine and your body will need time to adjust.

EAT BETTER

Think of food as energy fuel for your body. The better the food/fuel you put in your body, the better your body will respond when you want to go, go, go, go!

If you are a perfect eater, keep being perfect. But if you are like most young people and adults, you can find lots of little ways to eat better.

If you like soda, try having one or two less a week. If you like Fast Food a couple of times a week, try to eat Mom or Dad's home cooking a little more often.

READ AND STUDY

Football players are lean, mean, agile and hostile! Good football players are also smart football players. They know the game and their assignments.

You may not know this, but top college and pro players spend nearly as much time studying their assignments for a game as they will practice for the game.

You have a long way to go before you have to prepare that much. But "training your brain" is just as important as training your body.

Read a book a week. Go to the Library and find a book on football. Learn about the position you are interested in playing. Learn basic football formations. Learn basic football language.

If Pro Players study and prepare, it won't hurt you to do the same.

PRACTICE

Take as little as 5 to 10 minutes a day to practice. If you have a ball, use it. If you have someone to catch with - do it. If you do not have a ball, practice getting in and out of your stance.

Practice different stances (two point, three point and even four point stances) or runs some sprints.

Whether you have a football, someone to play with or not, there is something you can do everyday to get a little better. Just use your imagination.

Get ready for a fun season

Barry Thompson

Director of Football, FPYC