These tips for stealing bases are courtesy of Juan Pierre, the active leader in stolen bases, and I want to thank Dan for the great question about how to increase speed.
Question:
When stealing 2nd base, my first 3 steps are the hardest and slowest. I have very long legs and I feel like Im not moving as fast as I should. Ive watched a lot of video on Ricky Henderson and have tried to utilize the drop step technique. Any other ideas?
Dan
Dan,
Thanks for writing in. I understand where you are coming from, I feel I have the same problem with my first steps when trying to steal second base.
Juan Pierre the active leader in stolen bases was working with me a little this off season and the biggest thing he kept telling me was to stay low on my first few steps.
It is natural to raise your head up when you start running. Fight to keep your head down and look at the ground as you take your first couple steps. Almost feel that there is a bar a few inches above your head when you are taking your lead, and as you take off you need to stay under that bar so you don’t hit your head.
When you come up a little when you start running you lose momentum going towards second base. Remember to stay low, keep your head down, and work on your starts (first 3-5 steps). Good luck and keep working.
Doug Bernier
Doug,
I can already see a noticeable difference in my speed. So simple to fix. Good luck with Minnesota (except when playing the Mud Hens or Tigers)
Dan
May 30, 2013
Keywords for this post: How to increase speed, base stealing tips, pro baseball tips, free baseball instruction
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Doug Bernier, founder of Pro Baseball Insider.com, debuted in the Major Leagues in 2008 with the Colorado Rockies, and has played professional baseball for 5 organizations (CO Rockies, NY Yankees, PIT Pirates, MN Twins, & TX Rangers) over the past 16 years. He has Major League time at every infield position, and has played every position on the field professionally except for catcher. (You should click to watch this great defensive play by Bernier) Where is he now? After 16 years of playing professionally, Doug retired and took a position as a Major League scout with the Colorado Rockies for 2 years. Currently Doug is the Data and Game Planning Coordinator with the Colorado Rockies
