Football hold here as well. They are used to being picked up, so they are totally calm and seem quite content to be held like that.
I would start by just sitting down with some treats and get them (and you) used to close contact and how they behave. We raised ours from day olds, so as they grew I would let them sit in my lap and hangout. My Delaware is a bit of a pecker, especially if I have a scab or something, but I can tell by the look in her eye when she is going to go for something on me and I just say 'NO' and she backs off. You need to be confident and calm. I think they can sense if you're afraid or nervous.
I would start by just sitting down with some treats and get them (and you) used to close contact and how they behave. We raised ours from day olds, so as they grew I would let them sit in my lap and hangout. My Delaware is a bit of a pecker, especially if I have a scab or something, but I can tell by the look in her eye when she is going to go for something on me and I just say 'NO' and she backs off. You need to be confident and calm. I think they can sense if you're afraid or nervous.