Proper sliding, metal cleats...

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Now that ASA, USSSA, and Triple Crown have allowed the 14u rules to accept metal cleats in this age bracket, I've read many complaints about proper sliding, technique, too early, and "not ready" types of responses.

Who's the Guru and how do you teach this and it be so different than plastic cleats? I have my own way of teaching and of course my own concerns about the potential mistakes and outcomes but like with any other area of the game I'd like to start the discussion and see who the expert is or where to go for this resource. This is open ended on purpose, need to get the information out there if we can. Not sure if this will be a rotational, semi-rotational, or linear technique :cap:;&:lmao:...

 

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I would think that proper sliding technique with metal is the same as rubber. The problem is, not a whole lot of kids are taught, and constantly reinforced the proper technique. I have seen more ugly slides in the last year, I swear.

Tuck the leg, lead toe to the sky, hands in the air.

ETA: I am certainly no expert, so I could be waaaay wrong.

 

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Rubber is MUCH more forgiving of a poor slide.

 

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The proper techniqe is simple enough, the problem is it's not practiced enough by most teams outside of 9 and 10U. Back on topic...take a slip and slide and a few buckets of water to the outfield and have some fun from time to time. Be careful not to form transrotational habbits though, as they can be hard to break...

 

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View attachment 858 Sliding technique is the same rubber or metal when done properly...

A lot of the young ladies do not practice "good leg tuck techniques" or do not have good hand position that relates to broken wrist/fingers and cuts on the sliding leg or pant rips etc from the tuck leg as mentioned in previous post.

Also, most do not slide regularly enough to get good timing down or overcome some fears with sliding.

I am not an advocate of head first sliding but a lot of players go to this because they never master the hook slide or even the fielding slide...

Over the years we have been blessed to have some exceptional base stealers come through our team. These ladies that are proficient at stealing bases and sliding, practice their sliding the same as their hitting and fielding.

 

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geesh, after the "blast on ASA's 14u cleats ruling" I saw on Facebook and other sites putting out a mini-land slide of the "too early" and "bad technique" responses, they sure aren'tcoming out on this web site. Need a head scratching smiley... Maybe the OFC people are much better at sliding and of a different statistical sample. OFC people are great , not that I doubted y'all.

 

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I think the metal cleats go hand & hand with the 43' pitching distance. Since approx. 70% of 2nd year 14U players are Freshman, they are playing school ball with metal cleats & pitching from that distance.........Just makes it uniformed for them.......Why digress???

geesh, after the "blast on ASA's 14u cleats ruling" I saw on Facebook and other sites putting out a mini-land slide of the "too early" and "bad technique" responses, they sure aren'tcoming out on this web site. Need a head scratching smiley... Maybe the OFC people are much better at sliding and of a different statistical sample. OFC people are great , not that I doubted y'all.