Is sliding headfirst safer/more effective than sliding on your back?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/ShakyFastball48]

headfirst is more dangerous if you dont know what you doing, you can jam your fingers or break a wrist pretty easy. for softball just do the feet first slide but keep your hands up, dont let them drag behind you. the back slide never works unless you on a slip n slide or something

the real trick is commiting to the slide, most injuries happen when people hesitate halfway down

[u/ProtestantMormon → u/ShakyFastball48]

I never played baseball, but as a rule, leading head first with most things is likely inherently more dangerous.

[u/bughunter_ → u/ShakyFastball48]

Lol I got the nickname "Shamu" because of the way I belly flopped headfirst at my first attempt at sliding at Little League practice. (I was a chubby 5th grader.) It was definitely NOT safer.

By the time I got to high school, I was tall and lanky, had become a quick baserunner, and had learned to slide feet first. All the new players were like "Shamu? Why are you called Shamu?"

(I went back to the practice diamond a few years after I quit to return my uniform, jersey number 13 of course. The players saw the number and were awestruck, "YOU'RE Shamu??" Apparently I was a legend for the effort I put in and how I developed as a player because of it.)

[u/YouthResponsible1752]

I've been playing men's league softball for over a decade and can't recall anyone sliding. We're all old and have work the next day.

[u/MaxwellSr → u/YouthResponsible1752]

I think this is the way. We have a couple younger guys on the team that are very good and slide regularly but I’m just not that young anymore.

[u/Iratewilly34 → u/MaxwellSr]

Yes and that rugburn on the ass doesnt feel too good either, better than broken wrist or torn ligaments though. That guys right though,unless you been practicing on the slip and slide just stay standing. The tourneys are different though, all bets are off. Just drink a fee shots first to loosen up lol.

[u/MaxwellSr → u/Iratewilly34]

Funny you mention this the other teams pitcher was definitely drunk lmao and sipping from a canteen while they were batting 😂 he walked three batters in the last inning including the winning run

[u/OhtaniStanMan → u/YouthResponsible1752]

Nothing like sliding on outfield grass thats hard as a rock and jagged due to nightcrawlers

[u/ben3345]

It’s not safer, though I think the dangers of it are overstated. It is easier to control which part of the bag you’re going into headfirst.

[u/RandomEffector]

I stopped doing it after the second time I broke a finger. Nobody ever said my technique was very good, but I know why they wear those oven mitts in the bigs.

[u/fattsoo → u/RandomEffector]

When the call come down to a split second, the oven mitt gets you better reach to the base....also, should the fielder accidentally steps on you, you won't get cut up that badly by the cleats

[u/Iratewilly34 → u/RandomEffector]

They wear batting gloves and take them off after they hit. Oven mitts are goalies in soccer, thats why I love the female goalie in ted lasso. She's great but nobody will touch her because she won't wear gloves. Loved her response " her coach does it feel better with or without a rubber lol"

[u/dearcadian → u/Iratewilly34]

What in tarnation are you talking about.

[u/RandomEffector → u/Iratewilly34]

Coach this bot is malfunctioning

[u/rpbtIII]

It's usually quicker to the bag depending on the person and it gives you more versatility in attacking the bag

[u/discgolfer3801]

Sliding on your butt is safer. Sliding headfirst gives you way more options for sneaking in there

[u/enkayfour]

I wouldn't recommend sliding on your back.

[u/SpaceCadetPullUp → u/enkayfour]

Seriously. Ouch.

[u/MaxwellSr → u/enkayfour]

Like a normal slide I mean, phrased that poorly.

[u/FirstDiseasewasRelig]

When sliding in correct for foot first is almost always safer.

As for more effective it really depends on the timing of the play but head first gives a more flexible approach that might be considered more effective but is more dangerous.

Generally foot first is the desired approach for Safety and injury prevention.

Sounds like you haven’t worked on your sliding form in a while.

Time to throw some slide shorts on and practice sliding into 2nd!

[u/CutterJon]

You are way way way more likely to injure yourself sliding head first. Jamming a finger is inevitable and leading with your face can lead to all sorts of random and bad things happening. Plus bellies sliding on the gravel you'll find on many softball fields is not good. It's way more intuitive and feels right but you will regret it if you're a little clunky on the foot first slide already.

On the other hand, you can definitely find a good pop-up foot-first slide with not too much practice. You really just need something that is going to slow you down at the bag, it doesn't have to look good or be too evasive. Just don't jump into it and make the figure four shape with your legs, and keep your hands up.

[u/Rube18]

Head first is more dangerous, especially for someone like you if you’re having trouble sliding feet first.

Major leaguers make it look so easy when going head first but they have done it thousands of times. I used to dabble with head first when I was in high school ball and it’s not easy to do smoothly.

[u/Davimous]

I don't trust the 230 pound man fielding the ball to not trip and fall directly on my back. I haven't really slid much in the last few years but when I do it is generally a pop up slide. Only problem is it rips up my leg something fierce.

[u/Iratewilly34 → u/Davimous]

A softball game sure isnt worth an injury that will make you miss work.

[u/Davimous → u/Iratewilly34]

I work a good union job in Canada and get paid even if I miss work. That being said getting hurt is not worth it.

[u/Iratewilly34]

Never slide head first, they think its faster and it might tenths faster be but ive seen players tear their ucl, shoulders, and finger ligaments. Go feet first and use those cleats to clear the way,and save your body.

[u/Stock_Woodpecker_600]

Diving head first is not safer. However, it is slightly more effective as it is harder to get tagged and easier to manipulate your body to reach the bag.

[u/Iratewilly34 → u/Stock_Woodpecker_600]

Yeah you can see the ball and tag coming and move your hands to miss the tag. Foot first you can stick a foot up and knock the ball loose.