Mechanics of Sliding in Baseball

In starting these drills, it is assumed that no one has had formal instruction in sliding, that the players are poor sliders, amateur sliders and even "afraid" to slide. Basic to beginning instruction is finding a comfortable side for sliding, knowing how to land and using the bent-leg slide insuring safety so that injuries do not occur. A few ballplayers will find they are just as comfortable on either side; therefore, they should practice and perfect all their slides from both sides.


Drills and methods used here can be employed with equal success indoors or outdoors. If practicing indoors, use the gym floor with sweatpants and sliding pads over them.  If outdoors, use the outfield grass, preferably wet grass (sprinkle with water beforehand).





In the beginning, use no shoes. Inside, remove sneakers. Outside, remove spikes. Later on as the ballplayer becomes proficient, he can wear his shoes.

When to Slide

1. To avoid a tag.
2. To stop at the base.
3. To break up a double play.
4. To get back to base.
5. Always when play is close.

Length of Slide: 15' or two body lengths from base.

Direction of Slide

1. Sliding to right side, usually use right foot as takeoff foot.
2. Going to left side, use left foot as takeoff.
3. As takeoff occurs, the arms are thrown up, the upper body is extended backwards and the feet forward, all somewhat close to parallel to the ground.

Landing: On buttocks, head up, arms out for balance and toes upward.

Bent-Leg Slide

1. In addition to above, tuck left leg or right leg in a bent position and place under other leg.
2. Use the bent-leg position to teach the beginner to insure that the boy will slide and injury will be avoided.  Thus, he develops confidence and aggressive baserunning techniques.

Other Slides

1. Bent-Leg and Pop-Up

As you slide, place foot of extended leg on base, throw weight back and raise body in one motion. Continue running to next base.

2. Bent-Leg and Breakup Double Play

Raise foot of extended leg to bother footwork of pivot man.

3. Bent-Leg and Hook Slide

Slide right or left of bag three-to-four feet, depending on player's size. When approaching base, bend extended leg (top leg) back, and it will hook bag when sliding by. Remember, the left foot hooks the bag sliding to the right, and the right foot hooks the base sliding to the left.

4. Real Hook Slide

Same landing position as previously discussed; however, both legs remain extended toward the bag. As the bag is contacted, the toe of the inside foot will hook the base and the knee will bend at the same time. The outside foot will continue past the bag and off the ground. On the hook slide, if sliding right, hook with the left foot and leg, keeping the right leg extended and off the ground. If sliding left, hook with the right foot and leg, keeping the left leg extended and off the ground.

Meeting Parent's Expectations on Pitching Their Child

I have had several parents ask me about our expectations as coaches on children that are willing and able to pitch during games. Our roles as coaches are to put each player in positions on the field to succeed individually so the team will have success. It is also our role to ensure the players continue to progress on their baseball skills and get "game ready" for their current level as well as the bigger jump to more advanced League play.


Over the course of the preseason and during the initial phase of the regular season, we have been placing significant emphasis on pitching and would like to get as many players on the mound as possible by the end of the season and prior to playoffs. In order to progress, the players must demonstrate proper form (so as to reduce the risk of injury), mental preparation, and the ability to throw from the mound to the plate with consistency and control to get into a game. I place less emphasis on speed at this age. Speed will come with greater practice and experience. If your son has not pitched yet, please be patient. We continue to work with all the players and ensure their progression.

Repetition is Key to Player Development

Rep-e-ti-tion
–noun


1. the act of repeating; repeated action, performance, production, or presentation.
2. repeated utterance; reiteration.
3. something made by or resulting from repeating.
4. a reproduction, copy, or replica.
 
Like most sports, baseball skill development comes through repetition. Good competition is part of baseball growth but the most important thing is for a player to get lots and lots of time at the position they like to play. It doesn't matter if it's rec ball, travel ball or sand lot ball... the more innings they have playing a position the more comfortable and confident they will be playing it.

Coaching the "Challenging" or Difficult Child in Baseball

Every coach knows that some children are harder to handle and manage than others. Sometimes problems occur because of personality differences between a coach and a child, but there are children with whom any coach, adult or parent would have trouble. The truly difficult child is strong-willed, with powerful needs and unyielding determination, and often intensely curious about every aspect of his surroundings. I don't profess to call myself a behavioral therapist but I have learned some important lessons along the way during my own therapy as a parent that have helped me manage difficult children in youth baseball.

Coaching is not always easy at the best of times but when it comes to dealing with a difficult child the challenges can often seem overwhelming. Whatever the reason for a child's bad behavior, the solution is rarely simple and will involves a great deal of time and hard work.  It is important nonetheless to address it because it can become more out of control and have an effect on the other ball players (and parents).  In fact, several parents have already approached me about the 'spillover' effect and the need to address one player's behavioral actions or words.


The signs of a difficult child are clear to coaches and might manifest themselves as a refusal to accept limits or do what he is told, a very short temper or perhaps even physical violence towards his fellow ball players or even towards you.  Thankfully, the two latter events have not occurred in my role as manager or coach.  My experience has seen more of an oppositional defiant type of behavior.

Regardless of the cause for the behavior such as Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, insecurities, lack of self-esteem, or poor behavioral mechanics, getting to the root of the problem quickly is important, but not always easy. If there is no obvious reason for the child to behave as he does then the first port of call should be the parents, as well as sitting your player down and having a thoughtful discussion.

You will quickly realize is that you are almost certain to feel both angry and frustrated at your player's behavior and that these feelings can very easily and quickly make an already difficult situation worse. Solving the problem is going to be a process of trial and error and that this may take time and will inevitably meet with both success and failure. Indeed, it is likely to be a slow uphill climb taking two steps backwards for every three steps you take forward.You may need to try various different approaches to teach the player the right way to behave and to show him that his own behavior is wrong and that it adversely affects the players and parents around him.

The way I approach these situations follows the way I have been taught as a parent.  Be patient.  Do not yell.  Show that you are in control.  Provide structure.  Setting boundaries and teaching by example will be extremely important, as will punishing bad behavior. Punishment however is often a problem when it comes to a difficult child as the negativeness only increases the defiance.  Lastly, partner with the child's parents and brainstorm ideas as to how we all can get the player's behavior under control.  After all, there are 11 other children that need to be managed by the coach, not just one.