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Mental Discipline and Youth Football Stretching
When we do our team exercises at the beginnings of each youth football practice, we also add a few stretches. We have a few of our own special stretches in addition to the basic ones listed below:
- Hurdle Stretch
- Frankenstein Walk
- Neck Bridges
- High Stepping
I add two additional drills that are unique and fun for the players. Each stretch brings a little extra something for the players to enjoy.
The first stretch is called the “Superman Stretch”. The youth football players must all lie down on their stomachs with their arms and legs stretched straight as if they are flying like Superman. The fun part is now the players need to lift their right arm and left leg off the ground at the same time. After a 15 second count we switch sides and lift the left arm and right leg. The youth football players are to lift the arms and legs no higher than 3 inches from the ground.
The second stretch is called “Mental Discipline” and it will do its name justice. The youth football players are standing straight up with their arms held chest high together in front of their body. Next, we have the players start jumping on one leg while opening and closing their hands making a fist. The goal is to continue hopping while trying to keep your arms straight up in front. It takes extreme mental discipline to do this. We will call out left and right every minute or so instructing the players to switch the leg they are hopping on.
You run this youth football drill until you see about 1/3 of the team stopping.
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