Let’s say you’re the father of a 10-year old boy and you think he could be a good football player. Or, let’s say you’re the 10-year old son, a terror on the playground, and you think you have a future in football.
If you fall into one of those categories, I knew a few people who have some advice for you.
I sought advice from a cross-section of Washington Redskins who went from playground hero to wealthy professional – quarterback Cary Conklin, running back Earnest Byner, Hall of Fame receiver Charley Taylor, center Raleigh McKenzie, defensive tackle Eric Williams, linebacker Andre Collins and cornerback Darrell Green, among others.
And from this group I pulled out the following tips that may help you decide whether you should play, what position you should play, what to expect and how to succeed.
Everybody wants to be the quarterback but, according to Conklin, if you’re not the kid on the playground with the strongest arm, look for another position. If you are, start throwing 100 balls per day to moving targets.
The non-quarterback positions can be divided into three groups:
* If you’re big and strong, think about volunteering to be an offensive or defensive lineman.
* If you have some size and quickness, you might want to check out linebacker and running back.
* If you’re athletic and fast – the faster the better – wide receiver and defensive back might be your thing.
There’s an unwritten rule of thumb for determining which side of the line of scrimmage you should plant your big body.
If you have quick feet, pick up things quickly and have good SAT scores, you’re an offensive lineman. It would take to much space to explain but, trust me, you have to be smart to play there.
If you’re aggressive but have trouble in school and your SATs aren’t good, report directly to the defensive line.
The mid-size level is a little more difficult to explain, but the difference between a running back and a linebacker usually comes down to personality.
If you like to run without being hit, try running back. If you like to run and hit and don’t mind going to the weight room and adding another 20 or 30 pounds of muscle, you’re a linebacker.
For the little guys who can run like the wind, the difference between receiver and defensive back is in the hands. Catch the ball and you’re a receiver. Drop it and you’re a cornerback or safety.
Now that we’ve determined your position, here are some quick tips for perfecting your skills:
Conklin: ”A quarterback gets paid to complete passes. Throw every chance you get and learn to keep your emotions under control.”
Byner: ”Work on strength and speed, and know when you should run through a tackler or run around him. Develop instincts.”
Taylor: ”Catch 50 balls over your right shoulder, and then catch 50 over your left shoulder. Do it every day.”
McKenzie: ”Work on your upper body strength and balance.”
Williams: ”Eat lots of doughnuts. It’s a rough spot to play, so work to be big, strong and physical but leave the nasty attitude on the field.”
Collins: ”If you don’t want to be the guy who dances in the end zone, develop an attitude toward those who do.”
Green: ”Work on agility and speed, and don’t lose your aggressiveness after you get beat on a play.”
If you don’t fit any category but you want to play, learn to snap the ball between your legs to the punter. It’s a dying art. You won’t get rich, but you can make about $125,000 per year, or about $1,000 per snap.
