![]() In theory, they'll force runners into colliding with catchers only when they have no other choice. The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner's lowering of the shoulder, or the runner's pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of Rule 7.13.Īt first glance, these rules are perfectly sensible and perfectly fair. ![]() If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the umpire shall declare the runner out, even if the player covering home plate loses possession of the ball. The bent-leg (or feet-first) is the most important slide to learn because it’s the most common form of slide, and it’s also the safest way to slide.A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate). Now we’ll take a look at the different types of slides you can learn on your way to becoming a master base runner. If at any point you’re not touching the base, the defender can tag you out. Practice making contact with the base you’re sliding into with your toe and keeping some part of your body touching the base at all times. The last phase of your practice should be on a dirt basepath, and your goal at this point is to make sliding feel as natural as possible. Take your time working your way up from walking through your slide to jogging to, eventually, running. Practice on a Matīefore you try sliding on the dirt basepath, you should use a soft mat or a grassy surface, as these practices are more about getting you mentally prepared. Though this isn’t an exact science, it’s important not to slide too soon or too late, or you‘ll either slide past the base or not reach it at all. You should start your slide when the distance between you and the base is roughly your body length. At a low speed, you won’t actually slide on the ground, but these practices will help you figure out how far from the base you need to drop into sliding position. The first couple practice slides you try should be done at a walking or jogging speed. Don’t forget to raise your hands and tuck your chin. Sit in Sliding Position for Several Minutesīefore even attempting a slow motion slide, get yourself familiar with the proper sliding form by sitting on the ground in the sliding position for several minutes. Tuck your chin toward your chest so your head doesn’t flop backward and hit the ground. This will stabilize your body as it’s sliding and it also prevents the defender from easily tagging your hand with his or her glove. When in your sliding position, lift your hands up past your head with your arms stretched away from your body. The part of your body that’s actually sliding on the ground should be the thigh and shin of your non-dominant leg. The most common sliding form involves leading with your dominant foot, leg stretched straight, and bending your non-dominant leg so the foot is tucked behind the dominant knee. Before attempting a full-speed slide, you should become familiar with the various aspects of sliding. For now, we’ll focus on a feet-first slide, which is most commonly used type of slide. Learning to slide starts with becoming comfortable with throwing yourself on the ground at full running speed. If done correctly, sliding can help you steal bases, advance an extra base when your batter gets a hit and ultimately, score more runs. Sliding makes you a more difficult target for the defender covering the base, who has to catch the throw and then try to tag you before you touch the base. The main goal of sliding is to allow a runner to make it to the base before being tagged out in the event of a close play (sometimes called a “bang-bang” play). Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about sliding in baseball, including: ![]() ![]() In this article, we’ll discuss how to slide correctly and safely, what different types of slides look like, the rules for sliding, drills to help you slide better and why sliding is important. Running the bases is one of the most exciting things you can do on a baseball field, and sliding is not only equally thrilling, but also an important skill for any base runner to master.
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