Imagine a practice where every drill runs smoothly—players know their assignments, coaches communicate effectively, and the entire team moves with precision. Achieving this level of efficiency begins with having the right equipment on the practice field.

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just learning how to coach football, knowing the basics for football practice is key to improving players’ individual skills and team performance.

From essential protective gear to advanced training tools like GoRout practice technology, equipping your team with the right resources ensures practices are productive, safe, and focused on refining the game plan. In this guide, we’ll explore each of the must-haves for football practice and how they impact player development.

The Role of Practice Equipment

Why Does the Right Equipment Matter?

Practices are the building blocks of success on game day. The right football equipment supports player safety, improves skill development, and helps the entire team perform at a higher level.

Key Benefits:

• Injury Prevention: Proper protective gear, such as helmets and shoulder pads, reduces the risk of head, joint, and soft tissue injuries.
• Skill Development: Tools like blocking dummies and agility ladders help players hone their techniques for tackling, blocking, and quick direction changes.
• Efficiency: Advanced training tools, such as GoRout Scout, allow coaches to run more reps with precision, maximizing practice time and effectiveness.

Essential Protective Equipment

Helmets

Source: Baltimore Ravens

Helmets are a cornerstone of football equipment, providing critical protection against head injuries. A properly fitted helmet absorbs and distributes the force of impacts, reducing concussion risks.

Types of Helmets:

• Standard Helmets: Basic protection with durable shells and internal padding.
• Speedflex Helmets: Designed with flexible shells to better absorb impact forces.
• Custom-Fit Helmets: Air-filled liners ensure a snug fit for maximum safety.

Coaching Tips:

• Ensure every player’s helmet is correctly sized.
• Inspect helmets regularly for cracks or worn padding to maintain safety standards.

Shoulder Pads

Shoulder pads protect the upper body, absorbing impact during tackles and collisions.

Types of Shoulder Pads:

• Flat Pads: Lightweight, ideal for positions requiring flexibility, like quarterbacks and wide receivers.
• Cantilever Pads: Larger and more robust, perfect for linemen and linebackers.
• Hybrid Pads: Lighter but durable, offering balance for running backs.

Coaching Tips:

• Check the fit—pads should cover the shoulders without restricting movement.
• Encourage players to properly adjust straps to ensure pads stay in place during play.

Cleats

Cleats provide traction on the field, enabling quick direction changes and stability.

Types of Cleats:

• High-Top Cleats: Offer additional ankle support, ideal for linemen.
• Low-Top Cleats: Lightweight for speed and agility, suitable for running backs and receivers.
• Detachable Cleats: Allow players to swap studs based on field conditions.

Coaching Tips:

• Match cleats to the playing surface for optimal grip.
• Regularly check the placement and wear of studs to ensure players maintain traction.

Football Training Equipment for Skill Development

Proper football training equipment helps players develop skills and techniques for success on the field. Here’s an overview of the equipment coaches use during specific football drills.

Blocking Dummies and Sleds

Source: istock

Blocking dummies and sleds are indispensable training tools for linemen. They teach proper technique, leverage, and strength application.

Types of Blocking Tools:

• 1-Man Sleds: Develop individual strength and blocking form.
• Tackling Dummies: Simulate defenders for tackling and blocking drills.
• Shield Pads: Lightweight and easy to hold, ideal for practicing hand placement and leverage.

Coaching Tips:

• Focus on hand placement and action when using blocking dummies.
• Reinforce proper tackling form by encouraging players to drive through dummies, pads, and sleds.

Agility Training Tools

Agility equipment is designed to help athletes improve quickness, coordination, and footwork during football agility drills. These tools help you change direction fast and develop footwork at game-speed.

Key Tools:

• Agility Ladders: Improve foot speed and directional changes.
• Cones and Markers: Set up drills for cutting and turning.
• Mini Hurdles: Build explosiveness through jumping and lateral movement.

Coaching Tips:

• Use agility drills to build rhythm and speed in movement.
• Watch for consistent body alignment to prevent overextension or loss of balance.

Resistance Training Equipment

Resistance tools build strength and endurance for high-impact gameplay.

Types of Equipment:

• Weighted Sleds: Improve lower-body power and driving strength.
• Speed Parachutes: Add drag during sprints to boost acceleration.
• Resistance Bands: Enhance flexibility and injury prevention.

Coaching Tips:

• Emphasize controlled movement during resistance drills.
• Ensure players use proper technique to avoid strain or misalignment. Muscle memory can be good or bad! Good reps make for good practices; good practices make for more wins.

Specialized Football Equipment for the Offense

Different positions demand specific training tools to develop unique skills. Below is a breakdown of key tools for various offensive positional groups.

Quarterback Training Tools

Source: Nexternal

Quarterbacks need tools to improve throwing accuracy and decision-making.

Key Tools:

• Throwing Nets: Target practice for precise passes.
• Arm Strength Builders: Resistance bands and weighted balls help quarterbacks build arm strength and increase throwing power

Coaching Tips:

• Focus on consistent throwing motion and release point.
• Encourage quarterbacks to train throwing at varying distances to simulate game scenarios.

Receiver and Running Back Training Tools

Source: DAZN

Wide receivers and running backs rely on football practice equipment to refine catching ability and footwork.

Key Tools:

• Grip Trainers: Improve ball security under pressure.
• Agility Cones: Create complex route patterns for precise execution when it matters most.

Coaching Tips:

• Use drills that simulate real-game defensive coverages to help prepare your athletes for game day.

Lineman Football Equipment

Source: What Pros Wear

Linemen build strength and improve hand fighting technique with the proper football equipment.

• Blocking pads and shields: Use pads to practice blocking technique and absorb contact without full force impact
• Leverage sleds: These help linemen with strength and teach them how to gain leverage by driving against resistance
• Hand-fighting tools: Resistance bands and specialized pads can be used for better hand speed and placement during pass protection

Incorporating GoRout into Football Practice

GoRout is a coach-to-player communication system that optimizes the way teams prepare for game day. It streamlines and simplifies football practice and boosts team performance across all levels—high school, college and pro.

This football play-calling system allows teams to make the most out of every practice, streamlining play calling and doubling reps on the field.

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Key Benefits:

1. Real-Time Play Calling: Players receive instant instructions from the sideline directly to their wearable devices.
2. Improved Efficiency: Teams using GoRout Scout experience up to 3X more reps in practice, allowing coaches to do more coaching.
3. Durable Design: Player devices are built with military-grade casing, designed to withstand a hit.

Coaching Tips:

• Use GoRout to streamline team periods and focus on execution.
• Review performance data to identify improvement areas throughout the season.

Simplified scripting

The GoRout scripting app allows coaches to organize and manage their playbooks with a few clicks. It’s compatible with any card drawing software so editing and adding plays is quick and easy. Coaches can copy or move plays between halves to simplify practice organization.

On-field practice app

Use GoRout’s STEEL technology with the on-field app to get real-time coach-to-player communication. Coaches can flip formations, flag plays with one touch and edit live play cards with finger drawing.

Wearable player devices

Players receive plays directly on their football practice device, which vibrates when a new play is called. These devices can withstand harsh weather conditions without interrupting communication. Players also receive visual play drawings and position-specific messaging.

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Why choose GoRout

1. Developed by experienced coaches: GoRout’s system is designed by experienced football coaches who understand the challenges of on-field communication. It solves the problems teams face during practice to meet the needs of coaches and players.
2. Effortless integration: GoRout integrates with leading football technology and hand-drawn play cards. The play-calling system is easy to add to your existing workflow.
3. Increased practice efficiency: With GoRout, teams get more reps (up to 2.5 per minute) and free up valuable practice time. Coaches can train players better, and players can perfect their technique.
4. Reliable in all conditions: GoRout equipment works in all weather conditions—heat, humidity, rain and snow—so practice can continue uninterrupted.
5. Full-coverage warranty: GoRout offers a 100% full-coverage warranty against damage, which provides peace of mind for your coaches and team.

GoRout testimonials from hundreds of coaches show their success using GoRout football training equipment.

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Conclusion on Football Practice Equipment

Safety Considerations

All protective gear—helmets and shoulder pads—should meet industry standards like those set by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).

Inspect and maintain equipment regularly. Players and coaches must routinely check for damage, such as cracks or worn-out padding, and replace or repair items when necessary.

Players must wear certified equipment correctly. You should train them in the right tackling and blocking methods to maximize safety and reduce injury risks.

Purchasing Guidelines

Make sure to buy from reputable suppliers for high-quality products that meet safety standards. Trusted vendors like GoRout offer better support, certified gear and faster delivery.

Always check the warranty and return policy before buying sports training aids in case of defects or if the product doesn’t meet your expectations.

Elevating Your Practices

Equipping your team with the right practice equipment creates an environment for success. From safety-focused gear to advanced training tools, every piece of equipment contributes to executing your football practice plan.

With GoRout’s cutting-edge technology, coaches can take communication and player development to the next level, ensuring every practice translates into game-day success.

FAQs About Football Practice Equipment

What equipment is used in football practice?

Essential practice equipment includes helmets, shoulder pads, blocking dummies, agility ladders, and resistance bands. Advanced tools like GoRout’s wearable devices further enhance efficiency.

How can I practice football alone without equipment?

Do basic football drills that don’t require equipment, such as football conditioning, speed, ball handling and strength training drills. Complete these using only your body weight, agility and speed.

How do I choose the best equipment for my football team?

Evaluate the team’s specific needs and prioritize durable, versatile football equipment. Ensure all protective gear meets safety standards to minimize injury risks.