Softball Sliding Tips

Slide with Care
Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

The other day I heard about another player who broke her leg sliding into a base. From the description she probably caught her cleats in the ground so her foot stopped while her body kept going.

While any sport contains some level of risk, I sometimes think the risks of sliding aren't being properly addressed — which means either players aren't being taught the proper techniques — or they're not able to apply those techniques in a game situation.

Some of the latter may be fear. They're afraid it's going to hurt when they slide, so they approach it cautiously. That's the wrong way to go.

Sliding works best when you go all-out. Throwing your body forward with enthusiasm builds up the momentum to let your body glide across the infield; slowing up or getting cautious will tend to make you flop down, increasing the possibility of a strawberry or bruise.

Beyond that, though, there's the catching the cleats issue. It's important for players to learn to slide with the sole of their outstretched foot pointing forward — especially when using metal cleats. Pointing the toe forward in an effort to make contact with the base can allow the heel cleat to catch in the dirt. When that happens, the foot is going nowhere while the rest of the body goes forward. At that point, expect to hear a sickening snap and see a player in pain.

It's important for coaches of any age players to make sure their players know how to slide. A good place to start is in the outfield.

Rainy days are good days for sliding practice. (So are snowy days if your players can handle it.) You can go out into the outfield, where the ground is usually a bit softer, and have your players wear gym shoes instead of cleats.

For those with extra fear of sliding strawberries, try throwing down some pieces of cardboard. However you approach it, start with the basic figure-four slide, with one leg tucked under the other. Tucking the underneath leg helps keep the foot elevated. The hands should be up, rather than down on the ground as well.

If you can't get outside, a sliding mat makes a good indoor alternative. If you can afford one, a gymnastics mat with a blanket thrown over it will do.

Once your players learn to execute a basic slide — or in the case of older players demonstrate they already have mastery of it — you can move on to other techniques. But don't take it for granted that they already know; I've had 16U players who were deathly afraid and pretty much had to be threatened with benching to learn.

Sliding is an important part of our sport. It can help you get an extra base or score an extra run that could mean the game. Make sure your players are prepared, and keep their skills sharp. While they may not always like it, remind them that a little pain today is a lot better than watching the game from the bench with a cast on their ankle.

Anyway, that's the way I see it.