So You Want To Be An NFL Running Back Some Day?

Alright getting straight to the point your reading this because you or someone you know wants to be an NFL Running Back. The first thing you have to know it’s a tough job and it’s a tough business, as soon as you take the fact that it’s a game out of your mind the better you become. NFL running backs are paid to produce and if you want to increase your chances of making it to the big stage and perform when you get there, there are a few things you must know and gain.

Speed

This is first and most important for a running back to learn if you’re not fast it will be hard making the cut. The best way for a running back to gain speed, is pushing cars or vans preferably also doing lunges with dumb bells in hand works great, or some kind of Vest that puts weight on your body. There are also par shoots you can wear this usually helps with not only speed but acceleration. It is important that a running back can reach full speed in the least amount of steps as everyone else on the field. All of the exercises I have named are great at doing this as well he helps train the running back to run through force hence break tackles when he gets on the field. When training to gain speed however force isn’t always needed and sometimes reason running backs suffer injuries it is important to know your limits and always build up even if when you first begin the work out seems completely easy.

Stretching

Stretching is the best way increase speed and durability of the body. The more you stretch the more flexible you will become. It is important that you stretch each part and muscle this helps when your tackled your body is used to going a certain ways, preventing injuries. Most injuries come from heavy weight lifters who have tight bodies weight lifting is important for running backs however having a tight body is not. As an professional athlete you want to be as loose as possible in order to establish good flexibility when ever your watching TV as soon as your favorite show goes to commercial stretch until the show come back on and the next commercial switch up the stretch.

Weight Lifting

It is important for a running back to have strength even if you’re the fastest guy on the field you must have some type of strength and being a running back means you need to be stronger than the receivers and quarterbacks pretty much the strongest offensive skill person. As a running back you also have to take in the fact there are big defensive line man and line backers out there so you want to be strong enough take a hit but preferably give a hit to one of those guys. Bench press, Leg Press, Curls, Leg curls, Dead lift, and squats, and Lat pull down are a great way to go. Also if you have a Runner available this is pretty much a machine for weight lifting you get on and run with the weights you put on. You want your reps to be explosive to create a little bit of pop for yourself. Always stretch before and after weight lifting stretching will also him you to become stronger. If you don’t have weights you can do pushups and pull ups for upper body and use running as weight lifting for the legs preferably some hill sprints. Pushups and pull-ups would be something good to do between commercial breaks as well.

Running

As a running back you should get out and do some running the more you run faster you will become, as well the more you run the more endurance you will get. You don’t want to be a player that has to come out the game after every 40 yard run. If you’re running stretching and lifting you will have the best chance of becoming a better running back. Running also help build strength throughout your body as when you’re running every muscle is moving pretty much. Running will help you loosing up to the more you run the looser you will become as well as faster. Running if you don’t get it helps everything so if you’re playing football in the fall it would be a good idea do something like track in the winter.

Other Tips

Swimming, dot drills or any polymeric work outs work well for running backs. Swimming and polymeric workouts will help with agility and speed as well as power. If all that isn’t enough both will also help create strong joints in your knees and ankles which are the biggest known injuries for not only running backs but sports players in general. All in all it takes dedication the longer you do something naturally you will become better at so get out and work hard but work smart. Get someone to throw the football to practice catching as well running backs need to know how to catch. If you’re reading this article for your child or someone else the earlier you start the better you will become. It all depends on your natural abilities some guys and get away with starting in high school but let’s be real most of us can’t getting in little leagues and training prior to high school helps big time.