You know that guy on the football team. The one everyone says should be a starter, but isn’t? You wonder why he’s stuck on the bench and what could happen if he were given a chance.

This article is for you, my friend. Here are some tips to becoming a better player and getting your coaches attention:

1) Be nice to your coaches

They are the ones who determine whether you start or not. Of course, you should also be nice to your teammates because it’s a team sport. If you’re an insufferable jerk they won’t want to play with you either.

2) Be coachable

Do what the coach says, don’t question it. If you disagree with something your coach says, talk to him AFTER practice when he’s cooled down a little.

3) Watch hours of game tape and replicate what you see

You want to know how to play? Watch football games! What is a cornerback supposed to do when the wide receiver runs a post route? What should a running back be doing when his quarterback throws a screen pass to the other side of the field? Ask your coach.

4) Be a leader

Stand up and say something if you see a teammate doing something wrong during practice or in games. If you don’t step up, nobody will. It’s not enough to just do what your told, you have to motivate others around you too.

5) Practice makes perfect

There is no such thing as ‘practice’. You do something until you get it right and then practice doing it faster and faster until you can’t get it wrong. As long as your coach thinks that’s enough, he’ll let everyone else know whether or not he thinks you’re ready.

6) Know your assignment

You’ll never be able to do something new if you don’t know how the people around you are going to do what they’re supposed to do. You can’t improvise if you don’t have a plan!