Okay, so I saw this crazy thing online about Trea Turner sliding, and I just had to try it out. You know, see if all the hype was real. I mean, the dude makes it look so smooth, like he’s gliding on ice or something.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed a good spot. My backyard is mostly grass, which isn’t exactly ideal for sliding. So, I headed to the local park where they have a baseball diamond. It’s a pretty flat, all dirt surface which looks like the perfect surface.
The First Few Attempts…Ouch
Man, let me tell you, the first few tries were rough. I started slow, just kinda jogging and then… plop. I basically just fell on my butt. Not graceful at all. It’s way harder than it looks! I felt like I was going to end up landing on my face, that didn’t happen though! The dirt was surprisingly forgiving, but it did get everywhere. Inside my shoes, my pockets… you name it.
Figuring Out the Technique
I watched a couple more videos of Turner doing his thing. I noticed he really gets low, almost like he’s crouching, before he starts the slide. He also kind of throws his weight forward and to the side. So I tried to copy that.
- Get low.
- Lean forward.
- Throw your weight.
Getting Better
I started to get the hang of it! I wouldn’t say I was Trea Turner smooth, but I was definitely sliding. I could feel the momentum carrying me, and it was actually pretty fun! I tried a few more times, experimenting with different speeds and angles. The key seemed to be committing to it. If you hesitate, you just end up stumbling.
The “Almost Perfect” Slide
Then came the one I almost nailed. I sprinted, got low, leaned, and… whoosh! I slid a good few feet, feeling like a total pro. I even managed to pop up at the end, just like I’d seen in the videos. Okay, maybe I didn’t pop up quite as smoothly, but it was close!
The Aftermath
I was covered in dirt, my legs were a little sore, and I probably looked like a crazy person to anyone walking by. But honestly, it was a blast! I definitely didn’t master the Trea Turner slide, but I got a taste of it. I can see why baseball players do it – it’s not just practical, it’s kinda exhilarating.
I will definitely gonna try this again, maybe with some knee pads next time. And a hose nearby to wash off all the dirt!
