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TEACHING SLIDING
- Safety Point:
Explain that the head-first slide is the most dangerous, leaving the player vulnerable to hand, head and neck injuries. The bent-leg pop-up slide is the safest and the easiest to learn, and the headfirst slide is illegal in most leagues anyway.
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Baserunning mind-set:
Explain that the runner should always think 2 bases when running. The bent-leg pop-up slide allows the runner to get up for the chance to advance to the next base much more quickly than does the head-first slide.
Teach Bent-Leg Pop-Up Slide
Place players in a sitting position with both legs extended. Demonstrate and command the following, and have players mimic your actions.
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Bend leg - bend one leg, placing the ankle of the bent leg underneath the knee of the extended leg
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Relax extended knee - extended leg should be bent; heel should be slightly off ground
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Back straight - don't allow players to lean back
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Hands above shoulders - make the #4, then cover thumbs with fingers
On a properly executed slide, both butt cheeks and the shin of the bent knee will get dirty.
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Causes of Injury When Sliding:
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Slow to slide (runners stops running full speed), causes strawberries on knees
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Leaning to either side (causes strawberries on sides of leg, potential knee injuries)
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Sliding too late (slide should start when runner is two body lengths away from base)
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Once committed, the runner must not change his mind (knee and ankle injuries)
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WHEN IN DOUBT, SLIDE!
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Drills
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- Sliding Position
Demonstrate drill. Place players in seated position with both legs extended. On command "Slide," they move into sliding position.
- 4-Point Stance
Demonstrate drill. Place players in football 4-point stance. On command "Slide," players swing feet to side and move into sliding position. Practice sliding with both legs.
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