The slide is an important skill to be an effective base runner. By learning how to slide you can beat throws and tags preventing outs and increasing your team’s chances of scoring more runs.
Why do We slide in Baseball?
Sliding isn’t faster than running, but it has many other benefits. Players in baseball slide for two reasons: to avoid a tag or to score a run.
To understand why sliding is part of baseball, it’s important to assess what’s happening on the field. Base runners are removed from the field if they are tagged out. One reason to slide is to avoid being tagged.
A great example is a play at home plate. If the catcher and the baserunner stand at the same height, it becomes easy for the catcher to tag out the runner. When the runner slides, the catcher needs to reach to tag out the runner, which gives the runner a better chance of scoring.
On the base path, a player running full speed risks overrunning the base. Sliding is a way to slow down and touch the base without being carried off the base due to momentum. If a fielder is defending the base, sliding also avoids contact with the fielder.
Sliding is an essential consideration in every run between bases. A baserunner makes a split second decision as they approach the next base. Sliding isn’t without risk. It increases the chance of injury.
Different Types of Baseball Slides
Sliding is more than just gliding on the ground feet first. It comes in different forms depending on the situation.
Head First Slide: As the name indicates, you slide head first into the bag. The hands come in first, then the head and then the body. It is just like diving into the pool. Keep your chin off the ground while your legs trailing straight behind you. Head first slides can be dangerous, especially if there’s a chance you can’t keep your head off the ground.
Bent-Leg Slide: With your dominant foot out front and your toes and leg straight, bend your other leg at the knee. When performed correctly, your lower body represents the shape of the number ‘4’. Your straight leg arrives at the base first.
Hook Slide: A hook slide uses the same form as a bent-leg slide, with your feet pointed away from the bag.
Pop-up Slide: This slide also uses form similar to the bent-leg slide, but you flatten your body more laying almost parallel to the ground.
Backdoor Slide: Another variation on the bent-leg slide, but you execute by sliding away form the base. As you pass the base, you rotate to grab the base with your hand. This slide is best used when the ball arrived at the base before you and you are trying to avoid a tag.
Hands First Slide: Similar to a headfirst slide, a hands first maneuver is used when trying to reach past the catcher blocking the plate. Slide head first wide of the bag and reach your hand in to try and touch home plate on your way past.
Take Out Slide: This slide is for the second base only. It is made for breaking up a double play. In this slide, your body is directly in front of the defender. You will most likely be forced out, but the goal of the slide is to disrupt the throw and prevent a double play.
Tips for How to slide in Baseball
How to slide in baseball is entirely on the player. However, there are different tips that will help you to slide better in the game:
- When you think to slide, do it – don’t change your mind; injuries usually happen when the player pauses and then restarts a slide.
- Be prepared and alert in the field – look at the fielder and guess where the ball will hit so you can shift your slide accordingly.
- Do the slide that you feel comfortable at – don’t risk trying a new thing during the middle of the game.
- Practice the slides if you can so you can know whether doing it on a big day might lead to injuries
- Avoid sliding into the first base unless it is very important to slide; don’t do spikes up.
- Don’t go for the headfirst slide initially as it leads to significant injuries; try the feet first method.
- Slide at the last moment with the right speed
- Don’t let your hands touch your ground so that hands, fingers, and wrist don’t get injured.
A few great Exercises for effective Slide in Baseball
Several exercises will improve your flexibility and help you to slide more effectively during baseball games.
Backward Lunge with a Twist: This slide lowers your injury risk and puts pressure on your hip flexors. Into a lunge, step back with your left leg. Twist your torso at the front leg while bending back a bit to try to touch the sky with the left arm. Go into the next lunge and do it at least ten times on each side.
Leg Cradle: This exercise improves all kinds of baseball movements. You need to lift one foot off the floor and squat while standing on another one. Now take your right knee to the chase and put your right hand under the same knee with the right ankle to receive your left hand. Take the right leg to as near to your chase as possible when clutching your left glute. Take the step forward with the right foot and change feet. Do it ten times on each side.
Sprinter Starts: It is for acceleration mainly. Initiate with the pushup position with the elbow stretching. Using the same situation, extend your legs powerfully by adding the momentum of your arms—pace forward 10 yards after that. Use the motion momentum to move forward. When you sprint, be sure to hit your feet hard on the floor.
One of the best ways to protect your body while sliding is to invest in a good pair of sliding shorts to wear under your baseball pants.
