When you watch a football game unfold in person or on television, the basic elements of the game seem rather simple. The center snaps the ball to the quarterback and the ball is either handed off to a running back or thrown to a receiver. The offensive line blocks the defensive line from getting to the quarterback and the other defensive players join the play trying to stop whoever has the ball.  The offense runs plays to move the ball down the field and the defense does what it can to force a turnover or just prevent the offense from scoring.

It seems pretty simple, right?

But what you see happen during a game doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not just a matter of someone saying things like, “Oh, I can snap the ball no problem.” “Yeah, I can play quarterback.” “I’m going to just go sack the quarterback.” “That looks easy kicking that ball through the goalposts.” 

USA Football’s Football Development Model has a pillar dedicated to physical literacy & skill development.

“The basics are the basics for a reason. We have to teach the fundamental movements and techniques first so more complex skills can be added later.”

All of these things are far from simple and they require players to learn the proper fundamentals, especially at a young age. A player may have a great arm and could be a good quarterback, but they also need to learn about footwork, how to properly grip the ball to throw a spiral, and how to read a defense. 

A running back might have all the speed in the world but also needs to know how to hold onto the football and how to make moves to elude the defense. 

The center needs to know the right form to snap the ball to a quarterback under center and also what it takes to snap in the shotgun.

On defense, you could look the part of someone who could play in the front seven and rush the quarterback with size and speed. How do you get past that huge offensive line? You have to learn footwork and how to use your arms to get around a lineman. 

A linebacker can say that they are going to blitz and get the quarterback. They also have to be able to look over how the offense is lined up and get a feel of what play they’re going to run. 

A defensive back could have the speed to stay step for step with a receiver downfield, but they have to know the right technique to defend the pass when the ball is in the air.

Learning the right fundamentals is the most important part of being a good football player. You could have all the talent in the world but if you don’t know how to harness it and put those skills into action, the end result is not going to be what you want. If a player is not willing to learn how to do things better, then he or she will likely lose battles against other players who have taken the time to learn.  

Football could look so simple at times, but it really is a complex game and that’s what makes it so special. It’s one thing to want to play the game but it’s another thing to play the right way and learn the proper fundamentals. 

Peter is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network and WFAN Radio in New York.  His son Bradley is entering his first year of high school football and is a participant in the U.S. National Team program while his younger son Jared plays flag football.   Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a youth football field.