Wednesday 8 January 2020 14:21, UK
Following his blockbuster trade from the Miami Dolphins to the Philadelphia Eagles, watch Jay Ajayi's running masterclass...
London-born running back Ajayi, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports' Neil Reynolds, shows you how to run like him, talking through the four keys to rushing in the NFL
Click on the videos below to watch the Ajayi masterclass, and then see him in action this Sunday as the Eagles host the Denver Broncos from 5.30pm on Sky Sports Action...
Episode One: Making them miss
Click on the video above to watch the first of Ajayi's masterclasses, as he talks us through the moves he uses to try and make the defence miss. There's the speed cut, the spin move, the juke and Jay's favourite, the stiff arm. The reason why it's his favourite? Because 'the best part is being able to push the defender to the grass'. Ajayi also stresses the importance of waiting till the last possible moment to make one of those moves, getting as close to the defender as possible so that they don't have time to recover and make a tackle.
Episode Two: Finishing the run
'Run hard and run angry'. That's how Ajayi looks to do when he finishes his runs, which is the focus of episode two of his masterclass. Jay talks about how it's important to get your head down, use your lower shoulder and strength to your advantage and then run the defender over if you have to. There's also the option to use some of the moves listed above to make them miss as you search for the ultimate finish to a run - a touchdown. And if that happens, you bring out the 'Jay Train'!
Episode Three: Ball security
Ajayi discusses the importance of ball security, something stressed to you all through training camp. Especially as a running back, it's key you don't fumble and do your job, otherwise you let your team down. In order to ensure you keep a firm grip on it, Jay shows us the 'five points of pressure' to holding the football, including, the 'eagle claw', then clutching it first in your forearm, and bicep, then to your chest, before finally adding a second hand over the top. Then, as Ajayi says, 'it's off to the races'!
Episode Four: Reading the defence
In this masterclass, Ajayi stresses the key of patience as a runner, with the planned route you want to run not always available, due to defenders being there to stop the intended play call. Jay also emphasises how you need great vision and instincts as a runner to then be able to quickly work out your best path. On top of that, Ajayi discusses how he looks to collect the ball from the quarterback on any given play.
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