How do i overcome my fear of diving and sliding ?

Question

not only in baserunning but when im fielding in right field too. I think to myself if i miss the ball the runner will advance

Answer 1

You've just got to do it. There's not really a way to overcome it but through trial and error.

This is similar to fears of being hit by a pitch. My dad is a softball coach and girls will come to him and ask for batting help. When he asks what they're struggling with, they say, "I'm scared that I'm going to get hit by the ball."

There's not much my dad can really do about it, except maybe ding them in batting practice, but that wouldn't be of much use.

So, really, there's not a set way. Just do it.

Answer 2

squat low to the ground and dive(like catcher and just dive) .....and then it will come easier  

Answer 3

Just do it.

Answer 4

I do not want you to take this the wrong way so read it carefully:



Being an everyday player means you have to be fearless. You cannot be afraid of the ball, you cannot be afraid of diving or running into the wall, you cannot be afraid of anything. You have to play agressively and controlled all at the same time. What I mean by that is get to the ball quickly, less hops the better, and get your butt down and scoop up the ball by bringing it in toward your bellybutton. You literally want to look like you are bringing your glove from the ground up and in toward your groin.

If you are going to be afraid of the ball then you are wasting your time with this sport becaues it is only going to come faster as you move up. When I say practice at game speed, I mean literally game speed. Start slow and get warmed up and then progress to harder and harder hit balls until they are literally hitting the ball at you as hard as the can. This is how I trained and this is why I made 2 errors my entire life (from 6 - 16) playing shortstop. This game is mental and if you are not ready to be mentally tough then you are not going to get better, sorry.



Like I said before, do not take offense to this. I am trying to be hard on you so you will understand the mentality and expectations of being an infielder or outfielder or catcher or even a pitcher. Pitchers has to be just as tough because we have less distance between us and the hitter. When you go to practice next time I want you to attack the ball. Get to it as quickly as possible with the least amount of bounces as possible. I bet you cannot get to a typical ground ball in less than 3 bounces, prove me wrong though! Really read my article on fielding and practice it before you go to practice again. Be fluid, be loose and get to the ball and get down there and get dirty with it. Your coach should see the top of your baseball hat when you field the ball. This is how he will know you are tracking the ball all the way in.



Remember, attack!!



Good luck!!



- The Professor

p.s.- if you practice at game speed then you will never have to worry abuot that runner, you just go for the ball and make your best effort everytime. People make errors, but those who attack make less.

Answer 5

I've got the same problem in the field but not on the bases, so on the bases you just gotta slide, no matter if you're scared or not but once you do it the first time then you'll love it;  in the field my problem is then idk weather or not to dive or when to dive, that's my problem

Answer 6

Just Do It

after you have the guts to slide, its easy, trust me, I was afraid diving back to First

Its like learing how to swim

just dive in, and you will swim