Fundamentals are the foundation to everything done in football. You can be the greatest athlete in the world, but if you aren’t fundamentally knowledgeable in football, the athleticism will be for naught.
Coaches break down even the simplest movement into a step by step process in order for them to teach their players proper technique. At some point during every season (youth, high school, college, and even the pros) the fundamentals are addressed.
USA Football, which is the national governing body for the sport, has announced their 3rd annual All-Fundamentals Team, featuring 26 of the most technically sound players in the NFL.
The USA Football All-Fundamentals offense is a traditional 2 back set, and the team consists of:
Quarterback:
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers – Fundamental: Throwing Mechanics
Running Back:
Arian Foster, Houston Texans – Fundamental: Following Blocks/Ball Security
Fullback:
Michael Robinson, Seattle Seahawks – Fundamental: Run Blocking
Wide Receivers:
Eric Decker, Denver Broncos – Fundamental: Catching with Hands
Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers – Fundamental: Catching with Hands
Tight End:
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers – Fundamental: Run Blocking/Catching
Right Tackle:
Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers – Fundamental: Run Blocking/Combo Block
Right Guard:
Carl Nicks, New Orleans Saints – Fundamental: Run Blocking/Drive Block
Center:
Nick Mangold, New York Jets – Fundamental: Run Blocking/Combo Block
Left Guard:
David Diehl, New York Giants – Fundamental: Run Blocking
Left Tackle:
Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns – Fundamental: Pass Blocking Footwork
The USA Football All-Fundamentals defensive team runs a 4-3, and they are:
Defensive Ends:
Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears – Fundamental: Defeating a Block
Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs – Fundamental: Pass Rush
Defensive Tackles:
Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers – Fundamental: Defeating a Block/Bull Rush
Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens – Fundamental: Defeating a Block/Arm Over Rush
Linebackers:
Patrick Willis, San Fransisco 49ers – Fundamental: Defeating a Block/Tackling
Sean Lee, Dallas Cowboys – Fundamental: Tackling
Navorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers – Fundamental: Gaining Ground Downhill/Tackling
Cornerbacks:
Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers – Fundamental: Playing the Ball
Brent Grimes, Atlanta Falcons – Fundamental: Pass Coverage
Strong Safety:
Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers – Fundamental: Footwork in Coverage
Free Safety:
Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints – Fundamental: Breaking up the Pass
And finally what football team would be complete without the special teamers, here are the All-Fundamental specialists;
Kicker:
Josh Scobee, Jacksonville Jaguars – Fundamental: Kicking Mechanics
Punter:
Shane Lechler, Oakland Raiders – Fundamental: Punting Mechanics
Long Snapper:
Cullen Loeffler, Minnesota Vikings – Fundamental: Long Snapping Mechanics
Kick Returner:
Devin Hester, Chicago Bears – Fundamental: Kick Catching/Returning
For more info on the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team, including video clips of each player demonstrating their fundamental skill then click here.
