The three purposes in sliding are to evade a tag, to stop at a base, and to break-up a double play. Timing is essential for a good slide. It must not start too soon or too late, and the slider should keep relaxed when hitting the ground. As the player goes into the slide, hands should be clenched loosely to avoid broken fingers. The head must be kept back and the arms up.
Bent Leg Slide: The bent leg slide is the most effective and popular slide in baseball. It provides the quickest approach to the base and also enables the runner to pop-up and advance. The following are coaching points in learning the bent leg slide:
Start to slide at least 9 to 10 feet from the bag. Do not slide late.
Take off from either leg (whichever is most natural) and bend it under.
Slide on the outside of the bent leg, contacting the ground with the calf, thigh and rear.
Keep low to the ground. Do not leap or jump.
Throw the head back as both legs bend, thus preventing the knees from hitting the ground first.
Face the instep of the bottom foot in the direction of the slide, preventing the spikes from catching the ground.
Always touch the base with the top leg.
Keep the leg relaxed, the knee slightly bent, and the heel off the ground.
Bent Leg - Pop-up and Advance: Towards the end of the bent leg slide the player pushes the bent leg up before the slide is completed. The momentum generated from the slide along with the push up from the ground by the bent leg and the push up from the extended foot on the bag, spins the runner towards the next base.
Teaching Sliding: An excellent place to teach sliding is on wet grass. Have the players take off their shoes and slide to a loose base. If the grass is long, it need not be wet, but wet grass is easier to slide on than dry. Using a sweeping compound on the gymnasium floor is fairly good also, although players will slide too far with this method. In the beginning, have the players assume the finished position 2 or 3 times before actually sliding so they are reasonably certain of what they are trying to do.
