The Speedy Newcomer
Here's how you can be as fleet-footed as the White Sox speedster Jerry Owens
by Nate Millado
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Jerry Owens is preparing to start his second season in the bigs. Last season, he led all rookies in stolen bases (32). "When you're stealing bases, being quick is more important than being fast," he says. Here are a few tips from Owens on how you can be as fleet-footed as the White Sox speedster:
WORK ON YOUR FORM
"If you learn how to run better—the proper form and
all the little things—you can cut down on your time, because shedding a split
second off means the difference between being safe and being out."
STEP QUICK
"You know whether you have the base stolen in the first two
steps. When I train, every first step I take is quick because I want to build my
muscle memory. I'd have someone in front of me drop a tennis ball, and as
soon as I see them drop that ball, I'm gone. It's almost like a reaction thing."
DO ONE-LEGGED LIFTS
"I lift a lot of weights on one leg because our legs
work individually for the most part. If I'm starting a new program, I'll start off
with 3 sets of 8 reps on each leg (squats, side lunges, front lunges, and back
lunges). The next week, I might do 4 sets, 8 reps for the first two sets, 6 reps
for the second 2 sets to build strength and endurance."
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