Defensive Slides

Continuing on our recent posts about various pieces of footwork, today we will discuss the topic of defensive slides.  Defensive slides are a bit of a misnomer because you don't really want to slide your feet when you are doing this piece of footwork.  As a matter of fact, if you slide your feet while doing this it will make you slower not faster.  The main goal when sliding is to try to stay in front of the man you are covering.


As with all footwork drills there are some basics that you always need to keep in mind.
  1. Establish a nice wide stance.  This will be done by keeping your feet a bit wider than shoulder width apart.  Always make sure that the knees are lined up over the ankles.  If the ankles are wider than the knees then your feet are too far apart.
  2. Keep you butt low.  Knees should be bent at about 60 degrees or so.  Remember, the lower the center of gravity the more difficult it will be to knock you off balance.
  3. Your feet will always be pointing just a tad out.
  4. Your arms should be extended and about chest high.  Make yourself as wide as possible.
  5. When you do make the move in one direction you make it explosive but in balance.
    • Your feet should never come close together.  Try to keep them at no less than shoulder width apart even when your are sliding.
    • Drive with the foot that is opposite the direction you are heading.  If you are sliding right drive off the left foot and if you are going left drive off the right foot.
    • The foot you aren't driving with should be pointed in the direction you are heading but don't over exaggerate this move.
    • Always stay center and over your feet.  Your slide should be explosive but don't overextend and get out of balance.  You should always be prepared to switch directions at a moments notice.
  6. When in recover mode be prepared to go from slide to sprint and then back to slide when you are in front of your man again.  You should not be in slide mode for more than 2-3 steps.  If your man is heading in the same direction for more than 3 steps he probably is thinking he can beat you.  Your goal is to beat him to a spot by going from slide to sprint and then back to slide once you are back in front of him.
As always here at TBL we've included a couple of nice videos which help reinforce the point:




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