Drills

Base Running

Sliding                                                                                  

Through First Base                                                        

Turns & Touches         

Fly Balls ‘Half Way’                                                 

Sliding

This action requires momentum and a level of fearlessness.  Some kids need time to get acclimated to the idea of trying to slide. 

Note: The safest place to practice sliding is on wet/damp grass.  Sliding is a fun activity for wrapping up a practice.

STEP 1

Shoes OFF for safety (even tennis shoes can catch in the ground, leading to an unnecessary injury). And the kids Love to run in their socks.

STEP 2

Players sit down with both legs extended straight out (facing the coach).  Instruct them to tuck one foot/ankle under their opposite knee.  They make a ‘number 4’ with their legs. 

The player will pick the leg that is most comfortable to slide on.  Coach doesn’t demonstrate; this could lead to player(s) copying the coach and tucking the leg that isn’t their natural preference.  (It doesn’t hurt to suggest the kids try both options.)

STEP 3

Roller Coaster Practice…

Part 1) Throw hands up (like riding a roller coaster) and yell “Wheeeeeeeeee!”

Part 2) Slowly lean back while throwing hands up; players end up laying on their backs.

VIDEO: Sliding Technique

STEP 4

Four players to a group. Set out 3-4 cones, etc. to serve as bases. Line the players up 40’- 45’ from the ‘bases’ (we don’t want them running any more than required for them to get up to full speed. (Less running means more Repetitions before they run out of gas.)

Set a marker approximately 7’-8’ in front of each base to indicate where they begin their slide (this distance may vary a foot or two depending on age of players).

Have the first player in each group Go! When the first player is Completely up off the ground and clear of the running lane, the next player goes. IMPORTANT: make players go around the outside of the drill to return to their group (no running back between groups; avoid collisions).

Instruction:

(1) Run as fast as you can!!

(2) When reaching the marker in front of the base, begin leaning back, lowering hips and throw hands up above head.

(3) Lead heel should be held a few inches off the ground, with player’s weight on their buns. When sliding into a regular base (2” tall) the heel catches the top edge of the base.

Leg injuries occur during sliding when players catch their heel/cleat in the ground before reaching the base.

The other common sliding injury is jamming a thumb in the ground, which is why we teach players to throw their hands up above their head.

TURNS & TOUCHES