Base Running 2: How to slide head first, pop up and hook slides

This article describes the proper mechanics for how to slide in baseball, including how to slide head first, pop-up  and hook slide.

 Sliding is how we get into a base as quickly as possible while maintaining contact with the bag (i.e. not over running it and risk getting tagged).  Sliding can be used to stop or redirect our momentum, break up a double play on the bases, or make a tag play more difficult by using a hook slide.

There are three types of slides in baseball:  Feet first (or pop up), head first, or hook slide.

Feet first or Pop up slide

This is the most useful of the slides, and the safest.

When in doubt, go feet first.

This method of sliding can be used in any situation.  This is also known as the pop up slide because if you do it correctly you will be able to use your momentum when you hit the bag to pop up quickly and continue running if needed.

How to Pop Up Slide

• One of your legs is going to be extended and will make contact with the bag.  It doesn’t matter which one you choose.
• Your ankle of your other leg will be placed under your straight legs hamstring.  This will look similar to the number “4”.
•  You will keep both your hands up.  This is so when you make contact with the ground you will not slam your wrists in the ground and break a wrist.
• You will make contact with the ground with your bent knee and the upper part of the back of your straight leg.

Head first slide

Benefits.  Head first is thought of as the quickest way of sliding into a base.  This is because you keep your momentum going forward opposed to having to sit back on your legs or back side.

It can also be beneficial because sometimes you can manipulate the slide a little by shifting your hands to try to avoid a tag.

Downsides.  Head first should not be used when sliding into home plate at any time (the catcher with all his gear on can do some damage to your fingers and your shoulders if you come in head first).

Also, sliding head first when trying to break up a double play is illegal, and you and the hitter will be called out.

Sliding head first can be dangerous.  Some guys have broken fingers by hitting the base the wrong way, or if an infielder jumps and lands on them.  Also, if a infielder jumps and comes down on your arms or shoulders you can really hurt your shoulders.

Some teams are really starting to advise their players to stop sliding head first and to get used to sliding feet first.

How to slide head first, and tips to prevent injury

• As you are running start your lean forward.
• Extend your body forward and try to keep your forearms and hands out in front of you.
• Cock your wrist back so when your hands make contact with the bag, the heels of your palm will hit it and not your fingers.  This will help to prevent finger injuries.

Hook slide

What is a hook slide?

 The hook is a spin off of the regular feet first slide.  The only difference is that instead of making contact with your foot, you will slide feet first but to one side or the other and grab the base with one of your hands.

This is very useful especially on a play at home plate.  It gives the defender making the tag less body to touch.  Also, when done correctly you can move your hand so you can avoid the glove that is trying to tag you.  When hook sliding into home you can hit the back corner of the plate with a real quick hand movement that can be difficult to tag.

You can use this at other bases as well, especially if a throw is taking a defender to one side of the bag.  In this instance you can slide to the other side of the bag and grab with your hand.

How to Hook Slide

The mechanics are the same as the feet first slide, except you’ll be sliding to one side or the other and reach back with your hand to grab the bag.

It used to be that you could use the hook slide when trying to break up a double play at second base.  However, the rules have changed now and you should only use a hook slide (at ANY level) if you are trying to AVOID a tag and not to break up a play.

Summary:

• When to use a hook slide: Use the hook slide if it will help you avoid a tag.
• When NOT to use a hook slide:  Do NOT use a hook slide to intentionally try to break up a double play.  The new rules in the pros (and I believe just about everywhere else) is that if there is any chance of contact, you have to slide straight into the bag.

I hope this article has been helpful for you.  If you have any questions or suggestions, I invite you to comment below.  Play hard!  – Doug

More on Base Running:

• 12 Signs of Good Base Running
• Base Running 1: Rules of Thumb
• BaseRunning 3: Base Running: Getting to 1st base
• BaseRunning 4: How to Take a Lead at 1st and 2nd
• Stealing Bases on a Wild Pitch