Sliding Analysis

Sliding is one of those skills where the success is dependent on the players confidence and experience with success.

Sliding Analysis Considerations

When evaluating sliding, the best way to determine the success as with other skills is the outcome and the way the player feels.  Video analysis can be useful for baserunning although there are not as many technical components as there are for throwing for example.  Something you could do is to have her freeze after the slide to know exactly what happened as she arrived at the base.

One of the biggest considerations is confidence and experience.  This is where a wet field with a hill is great because they can run and practice sliding with a little momentum as they slide down the hill.  Be sure to have them wear helmets for sliding practice especially if it is being done in a gym where the surface is hard.

Technical / Tactical Skill Factors

These skills are generally about being safe and being prepared to advance to the next base.  With experience, the player will be able to react to the positioning of the defense and where the ball ends up.  If it sails past the base she is going to for example, she would look for an opportunity to advance to the next base.  Her success for this will depend on the slide and her ability to get up and go again.

Some Technical Errors for Sliding

Technical Errors	Improvement Strategies
slides too late	use break away bases for practices
front leg not up	use props that they have to hit
hands not back and up	put something in their hand like batting gloves or bean bags for example.
chin not tucked	possibly have them bite on the collar of the shirt
runner stops before the base	begins slide 1.5 body lengths from the base
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Some Tactical Errors for Sliding

Tactical Factors	Improvement Strategies
not ready to advance	use game situations
slides to the wrong side of the base	discuss & practice situations
inexperienced	gain through practices and games
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Psychological Requirements

Softball is a game that has a lot of psychological barriers for athletes during competition.  The psychology of catching requires skills that are going to have a

• Likes to take risks – not afraid to get dirty
• Confidence – does not hesitate (could cause injury)
• Confidence – able to control a game and be vocal
• Broad Focus – looking for opportunity to continue on
• Relaxation – sliding is easy

Some Psychological Challenges for Sliding

Psychological Factors	Improvement Strategies
afraid of getting hurt	use progressions
not alert to the defense	practice situations
not prepared on the pitch	use a pitcher in training
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Physical Requirements

The following biomotor skills are important in sliding analysis:

• Coordination – assisting timing and then advancing
• Balance – ability to get back up quickly if required
• Speed – crucial to the success of sliding
• Suppleness – prevents injury

Some Physical Challenges for Sliding

Physical Factors	Improvement Strategies
lack of speed	pre season training
timing is off	coordination drills
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Performance Outcome Factors

Every softball skills is executed with a desired outcome.  That outcome however can be broken down just as the skill itself is.  Here are some expected outcomes that you might have for sliding.

Expected Outcome	Mechanics / Biomechanics
runner is safe	is in contact with the base
runner is not injured	hands, head and foot are up and is facing away from the ball
runner is ready to advance	knows where the ball is
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Interventions

As coaches, error detection and correction is what we do.  There is a time and a place however for sliding analysis to occur.  During competition is generally not the time.  Following are a few recommended paths you can take to help your players improve their skills.

Intervention	Timing
Break down the skill	Observation
Kinesthetic feedback	have her check in with her body
Skill instruction	use a checklist
Provide a mentor	have them watch others
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