Sliding for beginners

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Aug 26, 2015
590
16
My 9DD desperately wants to learn the right way to slide now and I'm looking for advice on the proper way to do it. So, I turn to the DFP gurus...what say you?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Slip and slide, the thing you run water through .

We have a player on the Team that is slow and when she slides always comes up a foot short, we probably should work on that someday. :)
 
Last edited:
Aug 21, 2011
1,345
38
38°41'44"N 121°9'47.5"W
Figure 4 slide with hands in the air to avoid hand/wrist/arm injuries. I haven't had the luxury of teaching on the field with a slip and slide. So I teach it while raining or I bring my own water in buckets.

I also let parents know to bring old socks, because they will be removing their shoes during this drill. It's also advised to bring a towel and change of clothes. Make it fun for the younger ones.

Once they get the figure 4 part down, I give them two opened water bottles to hold up in each hand while sliding so as they don't spill. I have heard of other coaches have them hold onto eggs. Have them run and slide while holding up the water bottles. They get wet and they get dirty and they have smiles from ear to ear.

Have fun!
 
Oct 25, 2009
3,345
48
Figure 4 slide with hands in the air to avoid hand/wrist/arm injuries. I haven't had the luxury of teaching on the field with a slip and slide. So I teach it while raining or I bring my own water in buckets.

I also let parents know to bring old socks, because they will be removing their shoes during this drill. It's also advised to bring a towel and change of clothes. Make it fun for the younger ones.

Once they get the figure 4 part down, I give them two opened water bottles to hold up in each hand while sliding so as they don't spill. I have heard of other coaches have them hold onto eggs. Have them run and slide while holding up the water bottles. They get wet and they get dirty and they have smiles from ear to ear.

Have fun!

A gym floor also works very well! Make sure they wear helmets until they get used to the slide or some will be bouncing the backs of their heads off the floor.
 
Oct 13, 2014
291
0
Metro ATL
Figure 4 slide with hands in the air to avoid hand/wrist/arm injuries. I haven't had the luxury of teaching on the field with a slip and slide. So I teach it while raining or I bring my own water in buckets.

I also let parents know to bring old socks, because they will be removing their shoes during this drill. It's also advised to bring a towel and change of clothes. Make it fun for the younger ones.

Once they get the figure 4 part down, I give them two opened water bottles to hold up in each hand while sliding so as they don't spill. I have heard of other coaches have them hold onto eggs. Have them run and slide while holding up the water bottles. They get wet and they get dirty and they have smiles from ear to ear.

Have fun!

Agree. We have also used large cardboard boxes (think fridge, washer, dryer) if you can get your hands on them. Bring them into the outfield, cleats off, and run your drill. Something to consider when it is too cold for the water/slip and slide drills.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I start by teaching them the figure-4 form (hands up!), while sitting in the grass to get them familiar with the position their body needs to be in during the slide. Step 2 is using a sliding pad or large cardboard sheet (I prefer using cardboard). Once they get the hang of the correct movement and how to control their body, we move to sliding into home plate for getting used to the feel of sliding in dirt. Last step is sliding into 2B and 3B...and plenty of practice.
 

Axe

Jul 7, 2011
459
18
Atlanta
I start by teaching them the figure-4 form (hands up!), while sitting in the grass to get them familiar with the position their body needs to be in during the slide. Step 2 is using a sliding pad or large cardboard sheet (I prefer using cardboard). Once they get the hang of the correct movement and how to control their body, we move to sliding into home plate for getting used to the feel of sliding in dirt. Last step is sliding into 2B and 3B...and plenty of practice.

We do what Eric suggested with the intermediate step of having them swing under a bat to get that feeling of throwing the leg and figure 4 toward the base. Then use the bat and run at it, then just slide on the cardboard.
 

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