Sliding is a vital skill to train in baseball, and it takes a lot of practice and attention to technique to perfect and avoid injury.
A slide enables a baserunner to reach base with a quick stop, and removes the possibility of the base being overrun. Sliding can assist a player in avoiding an incoming tag or breaking up a double play.
If you’re a coach, here’s how you can train players to safely slide:
Fundamentals of Sliding:
- To teach proper form, sit your players on the ground with one foot straight out and the other bent and put below the straight leg, forming a figure four configuration.
- To avoid getting cleats caught in the ground during the slide, the straight leg ought to be slightly bent at the knee and the heel lifted off the ground.
- Maintain a forward posture with the chin tucked downwards close to the chest.
- Arms must be bent at the elbow and hands should be raised in the air.
- Once players have mastered appropriate mechanics and posture, instructors can introduce various sliding activities into practice.
Practicing safely:
Sliding drills may be done with a specialized padding, slip-n-slide or a flat piece of cardboard, since these options provide a softer, safer surface for repeat practice. Sliding is a fast-paced, controlled motion in which players sit down into the slide and then aggressively push-off along with their foot on the bent leg throughout the slide. Teach players not to hop up before descending into the slide. Instead, they should advance forward and downward into the slide path, stopping at their desired base.
Once you’re satisfied that your squad understands how to slide properly, you may simulate game circumstances and include sliding into base running practice. Good luck!