How to Play Football in the NFL

The NFL represents a dream come true for hundreds of aspiring football players, but it's an extremely tough pinnacle to reach. More than 1 million boys play high school football, while the NFL has about 1,000 spots for players (including backups and bench warmers). That means less than one-10th of 1 percent of all high school football players have any shot at reaching the NFL. Playing professionally requires a combination of natural talent, relentless drive and a little luck. It doesn't come overnight.

Instructions

    • 1

      The sooner one learns the skills, the easier it becomes at higher levels of competition. Pop Warner football and similar programs run pee-wee leagues in most parts of the country. Not only will it set up a foundation of basic abilities, but it will give you a sense of what on-field position you may be suited for.

    • 2

      Find a high school with a winning football program often frequented by college scouts. If you're sufficiently talented, the team may invite you to play there. High school football will enhance your skills while providing a stage to get noticed by the next level. Work hard at your high school football program. Practices often run five days a week, and you'll want to develop a sensible exercise program to keep your body fit in the off-season. Study the techniques of the game, too: plays, patterns and offensive and defensive philosophies that have developed over the years and can help you perform better on the field.

    • 3

      Contact a Division I college and see about the possibility of playing football for its school. If you want to play in the NFL, you'll almost certainly need to play for a prominent program with a winning tradition. Slightly less prominent schools offer less competition for spots and may allow you to shine brighter on the field. You should balance that possibility versus your prospects with larger schools.

    • 4

      Become a starter for your college team. Work hard at every practice and spend as much of your off hours reviewing game footage and studying your team's playbook. The coaching staff will likely have an exercise regimen for you, which will vary slightly depending upon your position. Too much exercise can leave you exhausted and unable to perform, but you still want to be in peak condition when the season starts. Keep your grades up, too: Most colleges require athletes to maintain a certain GPA to stay eligible.

    • 5

      Attend Pro Day and the NFL Scouting Combine. Every college has a Pro Day where scouts from the NFL are welcome to see players perform. It's the best opportunity to display your skills before an audience in a position to help you. The NFL Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis every February, and features a number of different events designed to test your athletic skills. It is available by invitation only, but similarly allows you to show what you're capable of.

    • 6

      Register for the NFL draft. This is the process by which individual teams select players and make contract offers. The team with the worst record the previous year selects first in the draft, followed by the team with the second-worst record, and so on. You must be out of high school at least three years to be eligible for the draft.

    • 7

      Being drafted by an NFL team doesn't mean you are guaranteed to play for them. You'll still need to work out the terms of a contract. Contact an agent before the draft and ask him to represent you.

    • 8

      Attend your team's mini camp and training camp. Mini camps take place in May and help new rookies get acclimated to life in the NFL. Training camps usually start in late July and allow the team to evaluate who their starting players will be. It leads into the exhibition season--four games for each team.