PLEASE help me be a great HB

Question
QUESTION: i am going to the 10th grade and im trying to play HB. Can you make a list of things to do to build the necesary skills. im not an expert but i think i should do squats at the gym and jump rope.... i need more suggestions like this please.      PS,  anything will help

ANSWER: Dear Andre,
Let's take it one step at a time. How fast do you run the 40-yard dash? How much do you weigh and how tall are you?

Your friend, Coach Louis

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i am about 152 pounds, i am 5 feet and 9 inches tall and i already have a decent muscle mass from lifting after school. although i was out of shape last time i ran the 40 so i think i was pretty close to 5 seconds.  

Answer
Dear Andre,
Let's start by getting you in shape.

REMEMBER ONLY A DOCTOR CAN TELL YOU IF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE STARTING IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU. You need to get your PARENTS, your COACH, and your DOCTOR involved.

1. GET YOUR PARENTS PERMISSION AND ASK FOR THEIR ADVICE. THEY CAN BE OF GREAT HELP TO YOU.

2. TALK TO YOUR COACH HE IS THERE TO HELP YOU. HE WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED. HE CAN GET YOU STARTED ON THE RIGHT PROGRAM.

3. BEFORE YOU START ANY PROGRAM MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PARENTS PERMISSION AND YOUR DOCTORS OKAY.

REMEMBER ONLY A DOCTOR CAN TELL YOU IF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE STARTING IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU. IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN TO BE SORRY!!!!!!!!!!

Try playing some basketball it is a great sport and it will help you get into football shape. It will teach you how to run back, forth, and side to side without thinking about it. Basketball will also help your coordination, quickness, conditioning, and improve your foot work. This type of workout is especially good if you want to play half-back, defensive end, and or defensive back.

You also might want to add handball to your workout schedule. Just like in basketball, handball forces you to run back, forth, and side to side without having to think about it. You just react to the ball much like in football. Handball can be of great help, to a football player, for all the same reasons as basketball.

Try playing these two sports, on regular bases, and you will get into fantastic football shape. You will also improve your coordination and reaction time. If you do not want to play basketball or handball try some running.

Start by running a 1/2 lap around the football field everyday. Be sure to sprint the last 100-yards of your run. This way you work on your wind sprints and long distance running at the same time. You want to be fresh in the fourth quarter when everybody else is exhausted.

After a week or so, when you feel up to it, add a half a lap to your workout. Keep adding a half a lap, every week or so, until you reach 3 or four miles per workout. Only workout once a day, you do not want to over do it. You want to build your body up not use it up. Be sure to drink lots of water, you will need it. And do not do all three work outs together. Just pick one and do it.

By the time you start football camp, you will be in the best shape of your life. TAKE IT SLOW. Do not push too hard and make sure that you get check by a Doctor first. Let me know when you are ready and we will talk about catching the ball out of the back field.


Your friend, Coach Louis

PS I would also run some bleachers to build the power in your legs. Most star NFL running backs train by running up hills or bleachers to build up their legs.