Softball Drills: The Fundamentals of Sliding

Sliding is a crucial move that players are hesitant to learn. Often this hesitancy is based on a fear of getting hurt. Because players will never get over this fear until they actually start sliding, coaches should do everything they can to make learning to slide as easy as possible. The following softball drills teach the basics of sliding in a way that will soon have players comfortable performing this basic running motion as often as necessary.

sliding stance

The first thing players need to learn in their sliding lesson is the basic sliding stance. Players must begin by sitting on the ground with both legs stretched out in front of them. They should then practice bending one knee down to see which position is most natural and comfortable for them.

When you assume the pose, you should have one leg extended with the foot pointing toward the base, the other leg bent at the knee with the foot pointing back, and both hands raised in the air. Players will be tempted to drop their hands to break their fall as they slide down the slide, but dropping their hands will only increase the risk of injury. They should slide down over the thighs and buttocks.

learning to glide

Trainers can make the first slide attempts easier by practicing on a wet field after it has rained or with the help of a hose or sprinkler. Before conducting a practice slide, instruct the players to wear dirty clothes. Players will be better prepared to slide correctly on a wet surface than on a hard one. Starting the practice by sliding on wet grass can be very helpful.

If a coach is feeling adventurous, he or she might bring a slip and slide to practice. Wet a long piece of plastic by placing a water hose on top. On a hot day, players will be more than willing to practice their slide on a slippery plastic surface.

Scrambled Egg Drill

If players have learned the basic slide stance but still have trouble keeping their hands in the air, the scrambled egg drill is the best way to correct their stance. To execute this drill, coaches will need to bring a couple dozen raw eggs to practice. Have players practice sliding on the bases while holding a raw egg in each hand. To prevent the eggs from breaking, players will need to hold them in the air. To make the drill more challenging, have players get very low during the slide, or slide to one base and then immediately jump off to run to the next.