Football Training Gear

Football training gear helps players develop speed, agility, footwork, and position-specific skills outside of game situations. This collection includes essential training equipment used for individual workouts, team practices, and preseason development.

The best football players spend far more time practicing than they do playing games. The right training equipment helps turn repetitive drills into measurable improvement, whether you're working on footwork, speed, kicking mechanics, or overall athleticism.

Essential Football Training Equipment

This collection includes:

Kicking tees come in two main styles. Kickoff tees hold the ball upright for kickoffs and stand 1 to 2 inches tall - the 1-inch tee is required at the high school level under NFHS rules, while many youth leagues allow a 2-inch tee. Field-goal tees are much shorter -typically under half an inch tall - and are commonly used in youth leagues where field goals and extra points are kicked directly from a tee instead of using a holder. At the high school level and above, field goals and extra points are kicked from a holder, not a tee. Every kicker should own more than one; tees crack, get lost, and league rules vary.

Blocking and tackling dummies absorb repeated contact so players can drill tackling form, blocking technique, and pursuit angles without hitting a teammate. Arm dummies (blocking shields) are held by a coach or partner during drills; freestanding pad dummies sit on the ground for tackling and pursuit reps.

Throwing machines deliver footballs at a set velocity and trajectory, allowing receivers, DBs, and returners to take hundreds of reps in a session without wearing out a quarterback's arm. Serious training investment - most useful for programs, camps, and dedicated skill-development setups.

Football Training Gear FAQs

What's the difference between a kickoff tee and a field-goal tee?

Kickoff tees and field-goal tees serve two different purposes. Kickoff tees are 1 or 2 inches tall and hold the ball upright for kickoffs. Most youth leagues allow a 2-inch tee, while NFHS high school rules require a 1-inch tee. Field-goal tees are much lower - typically under half an inch tall - and are commonly used in youth leagues that allow field goals and extra points to be kicked directly from a tee. At the high school level and above, those kicks are taken with a holder instead of a tee.

Do youth players need real blocking dummies, or can a couch cushion work?

For introducing basic contact position and body mechanics, a well-padded cushion or similar household item can work for light drills. Once players begin practicing at game speed or repeating drills regularly, though, a proper blocking or tackling dummy becomes the safer and more effective choice. A quality training dummy absorbs impact consistently, holds its shape, and gives players a realistic target to strike. For families planning to practice throughout the season, a youth-sized dummy is a worthwhile long-term investment.

Is a throwing machine worth it for a single-player household?

Usually not. A football throwing machine is designed for team practices, quarterback trainers, and training facilities where multiple players are cycling through passing drills. Most individual athletes will get more value from throwing with a partner, running routes, and practicing timing and footwork. If you're building a backyard or garage training setup, a reliable passing partner and a bag of footballs will usually do more to improve game skills than an expensive throwing machine.