Football Practice Equipment List: Everything You Need to Succeed

Football season never really ends — it just moves to the practice field. And if you want to play like a pro, you’ve got to train like one. Luckily, there’s a lot of gear out there you can take advantage of to perfect your game. Our football experts have rounded up the essential football practice equipment to help you hustle harder, sharpen your skills, and dominate every rep.

You can have all the passion in the world, but if you’re training with the wrong gear, you’re holding yourself back. Having the right football practice equipment builds real skills that translate to game day. It helps you focus on your technique, stay safe during drills, and push yourself further without risking injury.

When you’ve got gear designed for serious training, you can work on speed, strength, footwork, and precision, all while building muscle memory that sticks. It’s the difference between going through the motions and making every practice count.

Every great player knows practice is where games are won. But not just any practice — the kind where you show up ready to outwork, outlast, and outplay. Here’s what belongs in your training arsenal.

A properly inflated football keeps your passes sharp, your catches clean, and your kicks accurate. Stick to footballs that meet your league’s size and material rules, and keep extra inflation needles on hand so you’re never caught off guard. Practicing with the same type of ball you’ll use in games helps build muscle memory and makes your training more effective.

Comfortable, flexible football clothes help you move naturally and stay focused during practice. Moisture-wicking shirts and shorts, compression gear, football cleats with solid traction, and football gloves for grip and protection will keep you ready for every drill. When your clothes work with you instead of against you, you can focus on perfecting your skills without distractions.

Speed and agility drills help you move quicker and react faster on the field. Add agility equipment like a speed ladder, resistance parachute, agility hurdles, reaction belts, and step-overs to your training to improve footwork and explosiveness.

Tackling drills help you build power and perfect your form while staying safe. Using tackle dummies, blocking sleds, hand shields, and tackle rings helps you practice proper form and reduces the risk of injury during live play. The more reps you get with the right equipment, the more confident and controlled you’ll feel when it’s time to hit the field.

Strength training builds the power and endurance you need to compete at a high level. Equipment like weighted sleds, medicine balls, dumbbells or kettlebells, and resistance bands will help you get stronger and more resilient over time.

Repetition is key when it comes to perfecting passing and catching, and target nets make every rep count. Whether you’re working on quarterback accuracy or receiver timing, this gear keeps you locked in on improving your skills. Consistent practice with throwing and target nets sharpens your aim and builds chemistry with your teammates.

Training cones let you set up endless drills to work on agility, footwork, and conditioning. Use low-profile cones for quick movements, tall cones for route running and obstacles, and weighted cones to keep everything in place. They’re an easy way to add structure to your practice and keep things fast-paced and challenging.

Football takes a serious toll on your body, so proper recovery is key to staying strong and avoiding injuries. Good recovery tools help reduce soreness, improve flexibility, and keep you in top shape throughout the season. Our experts recommend keeping the following on hand:

• Foam Roller: Helps release muscle tightness, improve blood flow, and speed up recovery.

• Massage Gun: Provides deep tissue massage to relieve muscle soreness and tension.

• Compression Sleeves: Aid circulation and reduce swelling in arms and legs.

• Ice Packs & Cold Therapy Wraps: Help reduce inflammation and relieve pain after games and workouts.

• Electrolyte Supplements: Help replenish lost nutrients and prevent cramping.

• Recovery Shoes: Help reduce foot fatigue, improve circulation, and support overall muscle recovery.

• Pain Relief Cream: Offers quick, targeted muscle relief.

• Consider Skill Level & Position: Ensure the equipment matches your experience and position-specific needs.

• Prioritize Safety & Durability: Look for high-quality materials that can withstand intense training sessions while minimizing injury risks.

• Check for Proper Sizing: Whether you’re buying footballs, cleats, or protective gear, choosing the right size ensures optimal performance and comfort.

• Invest in Multi-Use Equipment: Versatile training tools like agility ladders, resistance bands, and cones offer various drills for skill improvement.

• Choose Equipment That Mimics Game Scenarios: Training dummies, target nets, and reaction belts should replicate real-game movements to improve on-field performance.

Now that you know what you need, it’s time to gear up and get after it. Check out the football training equipment at Academy Sports + Outdoors, load up your practice bag, and make every drill count.