Today's lesson in fielding is about this novel method of SLIDING your body along the ground to quicken your action in retrieving the ball. This aggressive method of fielding was introduced with the limited over cricket coming into popularity, during the last decade. Today it is a very popular, eye - catching technique in fielding.

SLIDE as its name implies, is chiefly an attempt by a fielder to stop a possible boundary near the line by sliding of legs and lower part of the body on the surface of the ground. Slide is carried out by a fielder after chasing the ball at a certain speed, and once nearing the ball sliding on the ground with the help
of your legs and feet by bending the opposite knee to the throwing arm.

If you are a right arm thrower, then your left thigh will hit the ground first while sliding and your left knee will be bent and your right leg will be extended and shall rest on top of the left leg.

You collect the ball by extending the right arm and placing the left hand on the ground as an aid to get up quickly to make the throw. At the completion of the slide, both knees will be close to each other. You break your speed to stop the slide by applying 'brakes' with your feet, on the ground.

An important thing to remember is that you have to watch the ball right through the process of sliding, and pick it up before it passes you.

Once again, to master this beautiful skill, a lot of committed practice is needed. Youngsters should be introduced to this skill from a younger age, so that when they grow up, they will be real masters at it. Please take care of knees, legs, elbows and hands when practicing – the slide. Never use hard surfaces to practice. Soft turf or sand is best to practice the slide.

NEXT: LONG BARRIER AND UNDER ARM FLICK