USA Football has selected Indianapolis Colts linebacker Robert Mathis as a member of the 2013 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team, which honors 26 NFL players – 11 offense, 11 defense and four special teams – who exhibit exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.
The 5th annual USA Football All-Fundamentals Team recognizes NFL players who employ proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, which fosters better on-field performance and inherent safety benefits.
Mathis is a textbook example of how to beat pass blockers to the outside. Using a same foot, same shoulder technique to absorb the block, he keeps a low pad level to get his shoulders and hips underneath taller blockers to turn the corner. From there, all it takes is a clean rip to clear the blocker’s arm and he is free to pursue the quarterback.
Each player chosen for the All-Fundamentals Team will receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice. USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, is the official youth football development partner of the Colts, the NFL and each of the league’s other 31 teams.
A fan vote will determine All-Fundamentals Team captains at www.facebook.com/usafootball. Fans may vote for one captain on offense, defense and special teams. USA Football will award each of the three captains a $3,000 equipment grant to donate and an All-Fundamentals Team helmet trophy. Voting is open through Jan. 29.
Employing core football fundamentals advances a youth player’s performance and safety, particularly in the areas of blocking and tackling. USA Football has educated more than 110,000 youth football coaches in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., through its online courses and single-day coaching clinics. Approximately 3 million American children age 6-14 play organized tackle football, placing it among the country’s most popular youth sports.
The USA Football All-Fundamentals Team was assembled with guidance from a five-person selection committee:
- Charles Davis, USA Football spokesperson, football analyst for NFL Network and FOX Sports
- Herm Edwards, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL head coach
- Merril Hoge, USA Football board member, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL running back
- Carl Peterson, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach
- Bill Polian, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL general manager
More on past USA Football All-Fundamentals Team players’ techniques is available at: usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team.
