Adrian Peterson rushed for three touchdowns Sunday...on a sprained right ankle. “He’s not human, man,” said Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier.
Coach may be on to something, because in the fourth quarter, when larger backs seemed fatigued, AP displayed his superhuman reflexes, speed and vision on an electrifying 43-yard rushing TD. On the first play of the final quarter, Peterson took an inside handoff, and fast as a flash, bounced right into the open field. With four Buffalo Bills pursuing, he cut to the sideline, turned the corner up field and ran untouched for his third score of the game.
This is the type of burst you expect to see on an opening drive in the ballgame. In the fourth quarter, it's extraordinary.
The secret behind Peterson’s powers late in the game is his focus on proper running mechanics when working through conditioning drills. “During the course of a game, you aren’t going to be thinking about proper running mechanics,” says Vikings strength coach Tom Kanavy, “so it’s important to train in a fatigued state with proper form so it becomes second nature.”
During your next conditioning day, take these speed tips from Kanavy and ingrain them in your brain.
Condition with a purpose. Check out the links below for new drills to work into your next training session:
Conditioning For Your Sport
Drew Brees: The Art of Finishing
TCU Football's In-Season Conditioning
The Ultimate Conditioning Test
Photo: Danny Vega
