How to get back into sliding

Softball#82 · Jun 17, 2014

My daughter just had serious knee surgery about 9 months ago and is now trying to get back into sliding. (She just got cleared) She is nervous to try it again because she injured herself while sliding into 3rd. Does anyone have any suggestions for drills/confidence boosters? She plays in 16U, so she's not exactly at the youngest age to learn how to slide. Thanks

Greenmonsters · Jun 17, 2014

Wet grass, a gentle downhill slope, socks, no audience, and someone other than mom or dad that she trusts/has confidence in their sliding teaching abilities who understands her situation.

Dave619 · Jun 18, 2014

Greenmonsters said:
Wet grass, a gentle downhill slope, socks, no audience, and someone other than mom or dad that she trusts/has confidence in their sliding teaching abilities who understands her situation.

We have a girl on our travel team that broke her leg last year and was terrified to slide again. She would break into tears if she thought she was going to have to slide. GM, has some very good suggestions and it is the approach we took with our girl. Especially since it is summer, using a slip-n-slide or one of those blue tarps and wet it down will work well also. I agree, no shoes at first, then tennis shoes, then add cleats, etc.

ignition · Jun 18, 2014

Slip n slide or Schutt Sliding Mat.

Carty · Aug 21, 2014

Got this progression from a clinic. It works well on gym mats. I use it and then a slip and slide. 1) Start on all four's and kick the lead leg around while tucking the bent leg. It kind of looks like a gymnastic side horse move. It gets the feeling of getting the legs where they need to be. 2) While holding a sturdy pole (a bat works) on both ends, have her grab the bat and swing through, finishing in the bent leg position (like swing on a monkey bar). 3) Do the same but slowly walk into the slide. Be sure to hang on to that bat!. Increase the speed of the walk until it is a comfortable speed. 4) Full speed on the sllip n slide with a throw down base for a target. I'll use a pool noodle to keep them from getting their center of gravity too high. Make them slide under it.

Sweet Lou · Aug 21, 2014

Agree with the slip n' slide as first step.

Sliding on card board, sliding mat, or wet grass also a good 2nd step.

Also agree with GM, socks to start. You don't want a shoe or cleat catching.

Slappers · Aug 21, 2014

My oldest DD has the same issue. She had a pin put in her hip that came just after a diving practice. Dr's said it wasn't related but actually helped in finding the problem that could have been nastier had it not been caught. Anyway, she refuses to slide. ever. she will however head first dive to get balls which is how she "injured" herself in the first place (in her mind). I don't get that..

sbcowboy · Aug 22, 2014

Sweet Lou said:
Sliding on card board,

Also agree with GM, socks to start. You don't want a shoe or cleat catching.

I agree with Sweet Lou and GM. I like using cardboard and the coaches holding a bat that the player can use as a support bar over the cardboard as she slides. Let her start slowly. Walk throughs. As she approaches the cardboard, have the coaches move with her as she moves down the cardboard. Long pants and socks. No shoes! I tell them their legs should b in a figure 4.

Good luck!

I used this for Rec girls that had never slid before. Works great!

vcackerman · Aug 22, 2014

We did a funny one this year with giving the girls garbage bag diapers and sliding onto wet grass. They all thought it was hilarious and even the worst sliders improved with the goofy look.

Sweet Lou · Aug 22, 2014

Out in Left Field said:
Peeps, this is a player returning after injury, not a newbie. And I forgot to add, we do my drill every year or if one player needs the work, with the whole group, so it does not single out the one player. They also find it fun and funny.

I get that but...

Taking the fear of re-injury out is the key. A lot of what is taught to newbies can be applied to player returning from injury to build confidence slowly. Sliding of something other than a hard clay infield or into a solid bag anchored to a post is a good first step.

How to get back into sliding

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Softball#82

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner

Dave619

ignition

Carty

Sweet Lou

Slappers

Don't like labels

sbcowboy

vcackerman

Sweet Lou

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