Tyrone Nix Discusses The NFL Commitment Level
Playing in the NFL is a serious commitment. Tyrone Nix is an American football coach and has first-hand knowledge of the intense expectations this sport brings.
What’s The Difference Between College Football and The NFL?
College football and NFL football are not the same. Not only are some of the rules different, but the commitment level changes as well.
College football spans anywhere from one to four years. During this time, an athlete learns their strengths and weaknesses in the game. While the games themselves are much longer than the NFL, the overall commitment is much shorter.
NFL football does not require the same multi-tasking as college football. Since there are no longer any competing school requirements, the dedication to football is complete. The NFL is highly competitive and will take up a significant amount of time.
The NFL Path
Playing for the NFL is a lifelong dream for many athletes. Those that succeed often got their start playing at the youth level. Much like those who are professionally trained musicians, the career is a long and competitive pursuit.
The Beginning Stage
Before high school football, children have been playing the game for decades. In the personal coaching industry, many children are learning the rules and techniques at a younger age. Some children have played in Pop Warner, who are as young as five.
High school football has a significant impact on a football career. Players who are recognized for their skill set have a chance at the college level. Once recruited by college teams, the traditional development can truly begin.
The College Stage
College players must have a strong work ethic in addition to their athletic skills to succeed. Talent is required, but it is not the only issue. A college football player must be able to juggle school educational requirements while still training and playing games.
Playing time, coaching staff, media attention, and the college program all make a difference when choosing which college to play for. Depending on how the playing structure is designed, a player’s chances of entering the NFL can be significantly impacted.
What Is The NFL Like?
The NFL is a serious and potentially lucrative career. To succeed, players must maintain physical health and agility throughout their term.
Speed is not the only skill that matters on the field. Working on upper body strength can feel like a full-time job. A common list of workout exercises includes bench presses, chin-ups, and shuttle runs. This is only a fraction of the drills required.
NFL players typically take three or four weeks off after the football season. While this may seem like an ideal time to see family or go on vacation, much of the time is spent training. This process is usually done with a professional trainer.
Russel Wilson, a quarterback under 6ft, has a specific routine. Regularly, he uses kettle-bell lunges, bench press work, front squats, Romanian dead-lifts, triceps extensions, row workouts, and dumbbell step-ups. Regardless of previous success in the game, training is always important to maintain peak physical health.
NFL Training Camps
NFL training camps are designed to be thorough. They are conducted in the summer when it’s still hot outside. Training often lasts all day. Weightlifting is done for approximately an hour and must be completed despite previous workouts.
Practices, while physical, encourage players to stay on their feet. To avoid tackling or falling, this technique may prevent injuries. Full-speed tackling is almost always avoided during training camps. This reduces the unnecessary risk of falling.
There is little room for leisure time. Teammates often bond with one another through these training camps but may not have time for outside commitments.
Training camps are used for one month out of the year. Although the training may seem brief, the sheer intensity is designed to create top-notch football players. With two practices running approximately two hours each, this is just a segment of camp.
The commitment to the NFL mandates more than just physical skills. Psychological demands can be just as intense.
Perfectionism
Every player is fully committed to the game, coach, and teammates. Mistakes are not only potentially embarrassing, but they could seriously impact other people who have trained just as hard.
Practice routines vary depending on the coach. Regardless of where a player is located, these routines are designed to create the best players possible. Perfectionism is a trait that takes time. By practicing and focusing on technique and agility, this character trait can become obsessive.
NFL players need to have a realistic view of life outside the game. Perfectionism is not always necessary in other areas of life and may not be beneficial. The stress that NFL players deal with regularly is another time and energy commitment.
NFL As A Career
Few football players make the NFL, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Tyrone Nix believes the players that have the best chance at success are those who genuinely enjoy the game and have been playing for several years.
The NFL requires a serious time and lifestyle commitment. There may be sacrifices that have to be endured for the betterment of the team. According to Tyrone Nix, serious football players who want to make their game a career are hard-working and passionate individuals.
