Speed kills in football, which is why shoe companies like adidas constantly strive for cutting edge innovations in footwear. For 2011, adidas released the adiZero 5-Star, designed for speedy running backs, receivers and defenders. Already worn by stars C.J. Spiller and Eric Berry, the cleat weighs in at only 6.9 ounces—close to three ounces lighter than any other cleat.
“Over the last few years, everything is about light weight,” says Jeff McGillis, adidas football category manager. “Every single player that we talked to said that they want lightweight footwear.”
To make the cleat even faster, adidas also configured a new stud profile for acceleration and change of direction, limiting the loss of speed from poor traction.
Although Spiller and Berry use the adiZero 5-Star for an extra on-field speed boost, their training and technique are what set them apart. View the following videos to learn drills and technique that help Spiller and Berry succeed on the gridiron.
Spiller demonstrates the Quick Three-Cone Drill to improve his acceleration and change of direction—critical for juking a defender or finding an open hole for a long touchdown.
Spiller talks about adding versatility to his game by focusing on route running technique to ensure he is always in position to catch a pass.
Berry discusses his Defensive Back Two-Step Break technique, which he uses to track down opposing receivers and running backs.